Chapter 17
Hadley stepped into Ember & Oak and paused inside the doorway.
The warmth hit her first, followed by the low hum of conversations and the clink of dishes. The place was busy but inviting with its wood accents and soft lighting.
She spotted Kendra at a small table near the window. Her posture was relaxed and her expression bright as she lifted a hand in greeting. She still wore the jeans and light blue sweatshirt she’d been wearing at the kennel.
“Hey!” Kendra called. “Over here.”
Hadley smiled and made her way across the room.
This will be good, she told herself. A break. A distraction. Something normal.
She’d told herself she wanted to make new friends here. That she should say yes to opportunities. She couldn’t only hang out with her cousins.
This was her chance to do that.
“Thanks for grabbing a table,” Hadley said as she slid into the seat across from her.
“Of course.” Kendra grinned, appearing genuinely pleased to see her. “I wasn’t sure how crowded it would get.”
Hadley set her purse down beside her chair. “I love this place. I’ve only eaten here a couple of times, but it was definitely tasty.”
“Isn’t it great? Have you tried their French dip sandwich yet? It’s amazing. And the fries? Homemade with a spicy dipping sauce to die for.”
She smiled. “That good, huh?”
“You should get it. Trust me.”
Hadley glanced at the menu for form’s sake, but her decision was already made. “All right. French dip and fries it is.”
Counting calories could wait, although she’d never been one to worry about her weight.
A server came by, and they placed their orders. Once the menus were gone, a brief silence settled between them—comfortable enough, but still new.
Hadley folded her hands on the table and looked at Kendra. She really didn’t know much about the woman. “So . . . how long have you been in Blue Ridge Hollow?”
“About a year. Not too long but long enough.”
“What brought you here?”
Kendra blew out a breath before shrugging. “I guess you could say I needed a change. A smaller town. Something quieter.”
Hadley nodded in understanding. “I get that.”
Kendra tilted her head as she turned her attention to Hadley. “What about you? I think I heard someone say you came here from Atlanta.”
“I did.” Hadley hesitated, choosing her words. “I just . . . I just needed a fresh start also, I suppose.”
“I understand that.” Kendra gave a small nod, then tilted her head again. “Did you move here alone, or do you have a significant other? A family?”
Hadley shifted, not expecting to get so personal so quickly. “I moved here alone. I . . . I was married, but I’m not anymore.”
It still hurt to say the words, even though it had been three years. This wasn’t the future she’d envisioned, but it was the one she’d been handed. Now she had to make the best of it.
Kendra’s brows lifted. “Oh? Did he . . . ?”
Her throat tightened. “I’m not a widow. I’m divorced.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Kendra said, though her tone carried more curiosity than sympathy. “What happened?”
Hadley reached for her water, buying herself some time. Her failed marriage wasn’t something she normally talked about with people she didn’t know well.
Finally, she shrugged. “It just didn’t work out.”
Kendra leaned forward. “I get that. If you don’t mind me asking, how long were you married?”
“Not that long.” She took a sip of her drink, hoping Kendra would change the subject before things turned more awkward. Her divorce wasn’t her favorite subject—not by a long shot. It hadn’t even been in her vocabulary. That’s what she used to say, at least.
“What—?”
Just as Kendra started her next question, the server returned with their food, setting the plates down between them.
Hadley let out a quiet breath, grateful for the interruption.
“French dip and fries,” the server said with a smile before stepping away.
Hadley picked up her sandwich. “This looks amazing.”
“It is.” Kendra’s attention lingered on Hadley a second longer before she reached for her own plate. “You’re going to love it.”
Hadley took a bite, the warm, savory meat and toasted bread soaking up the au jus, rich and comforting in a way she hadn’t realized she needed. She was thankful to have something else to focus on.
For now, this would have to be enough.
Max kept his eyes on the road as he drove back toward town, but his mind stayed behind at the cabin.
Images played like a highlight reel in his mind—the dark red smeared along the edge of the sink. The droplets on the floor.
Thunder had picked up Lyndee’s scent, and for a while, it had felt like he and Wyatt might actually catch up with Lyndee and Kenny. The dog had followed the trail straight down the dirt road.
Then the trail had broken apart.
Thunder had circled, doubled back, and then tried again. But each time the trail weakened until there was nothing left to follow.
Max exhaled slowly as he drove.
He didn’t want to see Lyndee get hurt.
Just how far would Kenny take things? What was his plan? Or did he not have a plan? Was he simply acting on impulse?
Max drove into Blue Ridge Hollow, the familiar buildings coming into view. He should probably head straight back to Refuge Cove. There were responsibilities waiting for him there.
But his thoughts shifted to Hadley again.
Before he could talk himself out of it, he turned onto Main Street.
Max pulled to a stop in front of her clinic and shut off the engine. He observed the place a moment. The plywood over the window was a grim reminder of what had happened last night—a reminder of how someone had targeted Hadley.
His stomach clenched at the thought.
He stepped out of the truck and crossed the street.
Across the way, the door to Ember & Oak opened.
Hadley stepped out, Kendra right behind her.
Max slowed, caught off guard by the sight of them together. They walked side by side, talking easily, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Something about seeing the two of them looking chummy didn’t sit quite right, though he couldn’t immediately explain why.
Hadley spotted him first, and a smile lit her face. “Max. What a surprise.”
He straightened, suddenly realizing he shouldn’t have stopped by after all. “Hey.”
Kendra glanced between them and smiled. “Well, this is unexpected.”
“Kendra and I grabbed lunch together so we could get to know each other a little more,” Hadley said.
Max nodded slowly. “I see.”
Kendra adjusted the bag on her shoulder. “I figured Hadley shouldn’t have to eat alone since she’s new in town.”
Max paused, unsure what to say. He supposed it was a kind gesture.
“That was nice of you,” Max finally said.
Kendra held his gaze a moment longer than necessary before offering another smile. “Well, I should get back to the real estate office.” She glanced at Hadley. “It’s my second job.”
“I’ll see you later,” Hadley said. “Thanks again for meeting me for lunch.”
“Of course.” Kendra smiled before heading down the sidewalk. “Bye.”
Max watched her go. He tried to tell himself there was nothing strange or unusual about Kendra and Hadley meeting for lunch. But part of him, if he were honest, was bothered by it.
He turned back to Hadley. “You doing okay?”
“Maybe. It’s a long story.” She gestured toward the door. “Do you want to come in a moment? I’ll catch you up.”
A moment alone with Hadley? No way would he say no to that.
Max stepped inside the clinic with Hadley.
The place felt too quiet. He expected to see clients and to hear dogs barking and for the phone to be ringing.
Instead, Susie sat idle behind the front desk and smiled at them.
Hadley told her to go ahead and take her break.
When she disappeared down the hallway, Max turned his gaze back to Hadley. “Looks like it’s been a slow day.”
“That’s one way to put it.” Hadley set her purse down and crossed her arms. “No one showed up.”
He narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?”
She explained the canceled appointments.
Max’s expression tightened. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
“Me either.”
He studied Hadley, apprehension gripping him. She looked composed, but beneath her calm exterior, he could see the toll this was taking on her. “I’m sorry. That’s a lot to deal with all at once.”
She raised her chin, but the weariness remained in her gaze. “I’ll figure it out.”
He knew she would. But this had to be frustrating.
“Any updates on Lyndee?” She stared up at him.
He told her about the cabin, the blood, and Thunder following the scent before losing it.
When he finished, Hadley shook her head. “At least it was some progress.”
“Something is better than nothing.” A pause stretched before Max cleared his throat. “So how did you and Kendra end up eating lunch together?”
“Kendra invited me this morning at the kennel. She said it would be fun to get to know each other.”
He swallowed hard before saying, “That was nice.”
And it was.
Still, something about the invitation felt off. He tried to dismiss the thought as quickly as it came. There was nothing strange about two women eating together. Kendra had always been friendly, especially when she was getting to know someone.
Maybe that was all it was.
Maybe the unease had nothing to do with her.
Maybe it was him.
He’d dated Kendra, and that alone made things awkward. And if he were honest with himself, he was interested in Hadley. That complicated things more than he wanted to admit.
Even so, as he stood there in the clinic, the bad feeling lingered in the back of his mind.