Chapter 13
NATE
Bailey smiles as she looks out the truck window as we drive downtown. "The forest is so beautiful here," she murmurs.
"It really is. Almost the same as my hometown."
"Where’s that?"
I'm going to have to tell her eventually. "Old Hemlock Valley, on Wolfe Mountain."
Her head swivels to me. "Your tone changed when you said that. What's up?"
"My last name is Turner, but I'm part of the Wolfe family. My great-grandfather, Adler Wolfe, bought up a ton of land all across the mountain and settled towns there."
I give her a sideways glance. "Because the family was there so early, and established so many businesses…" I'm not sure how to say it.
"Let me guess." Bailey's hand lands on my thigh, rubbing it gently as I turn to park a few doors from the Switchback Café. "Your family is really well-known in the area, right?"
"Exactly."
"And you wanted to get away from that and be your own man, free to do whatever you want?"
I throw the truck into park, then take her hand. "Why do I get the feeling you looked me up online, beautiful?"
"I had to." She doesn't look the least bit guilty. "I'm not going to spend the night at a guy’s house and not check him out beforehand." She grins. "For the record, I like that you took off to do your own thing. That's what I've always planned on doing."
I just hope she wants to stay here in Hollow Peak. It’s a thought that has been swirling around like a chilly breeze in the back of my mind.
If her mother called and apologized, would Bailey go home tomorrow? If she got her dream job a few days from now, would she rush to one of those apartments she found?
I’ve never experienced doubt like this before and don’t know how to handle it. I adore Bailey and would propose tomorrow, except I know that would freak her out.
We walk into The Switchback Café and take a seat by the big front window that looks out over most of the town. Bailey glances around at the wooden tables that don't quite match and the huge nature photos on the walls, and her shoulders lower. I love that she’s comfortable here.
We get menus and a round of coffee, then I sniff the air appreciatively. “There’s fresh apple pie today. And hazelnut cookies.”
Bailey laughs. "It's so cozy here.” Then she takes another look around. Her voice drops. "Why are people looking at us strangely?"
I take a quick glance around. "More just curiously. Nobody has ever seen me strolling around town with a woman before."
"Is that…bad?" she asks. "Like, should you be working? Or…” Her gaze drops to the table. "Be seen with someone your own age, or from around here?"
I reach out and take her hands in mine. "Bailey, look at me." When her beautiful blue eyes meet mine, all the tension in the center of my chest melts away as everything shifts into place. "I've never cared what anyone thinks of my life choices. Except you."
She smiles, then looks around again. “I guess everyone here knows you."
"Pretty much. Give it a month, and you'll know everyone as well."
My thumbs drift gently against her skin.
“I'm not the most articulate man in the world, Bailey.
I don't have experience dealing with stuff like this. All I can say is that there are a lot of feelings…big ones…bouncing in your direction. The kind of feelings that tell me this is the kind of connection that could last a lifetime.”
Bailey nods slowly. "I want to think that. I mean, I do. I'm just…" She stares out the window for a moment. "I'm so used to planning things, but things can go sideways as soon as another person is involved. I'm just…"
"Nervous this is going so fast?"
"I mean, it would be illogical not to be nervous, right?"
"I agree." I release her hands and take a sip of coffee. “How does a trial run sound?"
"It's crossed my mind, yes, if you think that’s possible."
"I don't want to get in the way of your goals, but maybe—"
My phone beeps, and I glance at the screen. "It's Eli," I tell her. "Head of Hollow Peak Mountain Rescue. When he texts, I have to charge out the door and help. Same goes for the sheriff, and several other people around here."
My stomach sinks at the way her expression tightens every time I mention leaving urgently. It’s going to take some time and a lot of care before she stops making that face. Well, that’s going to be my mission. To keep her relaxed and happy, always.
The toe of my boot rubs her foot under the table. "I know you like to plan in advance. But you can't plan for emergencies. Are you going to be okay if I have to run away in the middle of the night? If I'm sometimes gone for a day or two?"
She clasps my hand. "People's safety comes first. I totally get that." She leans back and takes a sip of coffee. "You’d message or leave a note, though, right?" Bailey’s tone is casual, but there’s a slight stiffening in her shoulders. Caution, maybe. I don’t blame her.
"Of course. It’s usually only a few times a month.
I’d always keep you posted." My thumb drifts across her cheek for a moment.
“Nobody wants their partner to have to run off in the middle of the night, or a special dinner, or a great movie. But when people need help, somebody has to go help them. Right?”
"Yup. Just like I have to lock myself away with my laptop and disappear now and then."
I begin to chuckle. "So… We could be together, and still be crazy mountain loners?"
“Yes!” she laughs. Then she stops, blinking. “Wait. You said partner. That means…”
“That I think we’re going to end up being very serious? Yes.” I smile. “But for now, how about we just get through this week?”
“Good idea.”
I stand up, then come to her side of the table to lean down and give her a slow, tender kiss. "I need to return this call. Order whatever you want for lunch, and order me whatever you think I'd like."
"Why do I feel like this is some kind of test?"
“Maybe it is.”
She laughs, then I leave her studying the menu while I go outside to make that call.
Everything is so precarious for Bailey right now. She needs a huge dose of calm. Nothing else can rattle her, or she might take off.
On the surface, it might be best for her to go home and regroup, since that’s familiar, but I can feel in my bones that that’s the wrong choice. Those jackass parents will talk her into babysitting for the rest of her life, and she’ll never achieve her own goals.
Even if Bailey only stays with me for a few months, I think it will set her up for a better life. Of course I want her to stay forever, but her happiness is more important than mine.
I begin to pace, as I always do when I’m on the phone. Luckily, Eli just needed some information about the Anderson property, if anyone has plans for the pile of dead trees where lightning struck a few months ago.
I continue pacing along the sidewalk a few doors away, and wave to Sheriff Granger as he heads into the café. He doesn't return my greeting, which either means he didn’t see me or he's in a mood that's all business.
Then I look through the café window and my blood runs cold.
He's walking straight toward Bailey.