CHAPTER 4
CONNOR STEPPED BACK, MOUTH AS open as the door. Randolph continued to smile.
“Oh, I see you two have already met!” Katie’s cheerful voice rang out behind Connor. “Connor, this is my second cousin on my mother’s side, Randolph.”
Connor turned to Katie. She was standing there, beautiful as ever, holding two large cups of lemonade. She was wearing a bright yellow shirt that reminded Connor of a sunflower, blue cut-off jeans, and yellow sandals. “Well, here you go—drink up!” She handed him one glass and gave the other to Randolph. “I brought you one, too. Thought you might be thirsty with all the moving.”
Randolph smiled at her. “Thank you, cousin, I was a bit parched. Now with Connor being so polite as to bring the necessary equipment, I can destroy these wretched bugs and finish the moving process.”
Connor, finding his voice, spoke up. “So, the two of you are related, and now you’re going to come and live in Katie’s guesthouse?”
“That’s right. Katie is a relative and her family has been nice enough to open their home to me while I’m in town on business. Just for a week or so.”
“What kind of business?”
“Oh, I won’t bore you with the details. Let’s just call it…” He paused, his blue eyes shifting as he searched for the right word. “Business of a personal nature.”
“Don’t be silly, Randolph. You can tell Connor,” Katie chimed in. “Randolph and his immediate family are from Germany. They’re very profitable bankers here to expand their business ventures and look into buying property.”
“Property,” Connor repeated the word as if it was the first time he had heard it. “Property, like businesses? Maybe small shops in the area?”
Randolph looked as though he was starting to get uneasy with all the talk directed at his activities in town. “Yes, small businesses and much more, but it would be a conflict of interest speaking about the matter with you, since you have another friend interested in the same industry, don’t you, Connor? Larentia, or as you might know her, Laren.”
Katie’s eyes scrunched a little at the brow. “Connor, you know someone else in real estate?”
“If you call a dinner date ‘knowing,’ well then, yes, Connor knows Larentia very well.” A smile appeared on Randolph’s face, replacing the look of unease.
“Yeah, I did meet someone involved in that area of business, but more so her family than her.”
Katie didn’t say a word. She just stared at him with a look Connor knew all too well, but he wasn’t going to feel guilty about a date. Katie was the one who had ended it with him and that had been months ago.
“Well, I still have another delivery to do. Randolph,” he said, nodding in his direction. “Katie, I’ll see you later.”
“I’ll walk you to your truck,” Katie said.
“Good-bye, Connor. Oh, and do give Larentia a message for me next time you see her. Tell her she’s in way over her head on this one and should call her daddy for help.”
Connor, avoiding any more conversation, just nodded in acknowledgement as he walked to his truck.
Katie kept pace with him and waited till they were out of earshot. “So, you started dating again?” Katie tried to make the question sound as innocent as possible, but Connor couldn’t help but think there were ulterior motives at work.
“I wouldn’t call it dating. I went on a date, as in one. Besides, why should it matter?”
“Oh, it doesn’t. Just thought you would have mentioned it, is all.”
“Katie, you broke up with me.”
“I know. It’s just that I’ve been thinking, and I miss you, Connor. I know this is unfair to say after I’ve put you through all this, but what if I made a mistake?”
Connor couldn’t believe his ears. Yet here she was, standing right in front of him, the light breeze playing with her natural blond hair, her passionate blue eyes looking for some type of response.
“I don’t know how I feel anymore, Kat. I’m confused, I miss you, too, but we can’t be this way. I don’t want a relationship where we’re on again, off again, on again, off again.”
“I know, and neither do I. Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything, but it’s the truth, Connor.”
“I think we both need time to think about things before we make any decisions.”
Katie nodded in agreement. The two gravitated toward each other like they had so many times before. Katie fit perfectly in his arms; it felt natural, normal, to hold her again.
After an embrace that seemed much too long for two “friends” to share, they separated. “Okay, well, you better get going. I know you have deliveries to do. Call me, though. Maybe we can hang out tomorrow after you get off work.”
“’K,” Connor responded as he got into his truck. His mind was spinning as he turned the key and the engine roared to life.
There was too much to think about without making his head hurt. Instead, Connor turned up the radio and listened to AC/DC as he enjoyed the scenic ride out of town.
This methodology only worked so long before he found his mind wandering back to Laren, with her green eyes, her smile and her willingness to open up to him. She was such a strong individual but she had a vulnerable side that she had allowed him to see, even if it was only for a few hours. The way he was drawn to her couldn’t be discounted, either.
But Katie was the girl he’d thought he would marry. They had been through so much together and had so many great memories. She had been there for him whenever he needed her, and they fit perfectly together. Everyone said so at one time or another: they were supposed to be a perfect match.
Aware the radio distraction wasn’t working, Connor decided to take it up a notch. Turning the radio on full blast, he rolled down the windows and started to sing the lyrics to “Wheels in the Sky” by Journey at the top of his lungs.
Soon the one-man karaoke machine pulled into the Catskill Forest Preserve, thirsty and hoarse. He parked his truck in the Welcome Center parking lot. With no clue where to make his delivery, he picked up the insect repellent, two water bottles, and pickaxe and made his way to the front entrance.
Dressed in his flannel shirt and now carrying a pickaxe, Connor couldn’t help but feel like a lumberjack. A few days’ absence from shaving didn’t help the picture and Connor had to laugh at himself.
“Hey! What’s so funny?”
Connor’s head swung around to the side of the building so fast it threatened to give him whiplash.
Laren was there, eyebrows raised, waiting for a response. Her hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail and she was dressed in runner’s attire. Connor had to force himself to keep eye contact and not stare at her outfit.
“Nothing. What are you doing here?”
Laren approached him playfully. She had a bag in her hand that Connor hadn’t noticed before. As she got closer, her expression changed from one of playfulness to concern, her eyebrows furrowed. Her nose scrunched like she had gotten a wiff of skunk and she looked around the area as if she were searching for someone.
“Are you okay?” Connor asked, taking a look around their surroundings as well, not really sure what or who he was looking for.
Laren opened her eyes bigger and shook her head. “Yeah, sorry, I’m fine. Just allergies.” Reversing her demeanor, she placed a smile on her face and continued. “I was waiting for my delivery and I have something for you.”
“Wait, you ordered this?”
“Yes, and thank you,” she said, taking the waters, insect repellent and pickaxe from him.
The way she handled the pickaxe like some kind of toy was surprising. Connor was in the prime of his life and exercised on a daily basis. The pickaxe wasn’t a struggle for him to lift, but neither was it light, especially for a one hundred and twenty pound girl. There was no grunt of exertion or show of strength, she merely took it from him and placed it down on the side of the Welcome Center building.
She was back in a second, handing him the bag. “Here. Open it up, and stop looking at me like I’m some kind of freak.”
Connor took the bag and looked inside. It was everything he needed to go on a run; a brand new pair of black and red Nike running shoes, socks, and a black pair of running shorts.
“Well, hurry up and change, mister. Let’s go. We’re burning daylight.”
Connor looked at the items in the bag closer and examined the sizes of the shoes and shorts. “Wait, how did you know what size I am?”
“Call it female intuition. Thank you for providing the insect spray and water, we’ll need those.”
Connor still in disbelief, walked behind the Welcome Station and began undressing, taking off his shoes and pants first and replacing them with the provided shorts and Nikes. The clothes fit perfectly. The shorts were neither too tight nor too loose, and the shoes hugged his feet like they were his own. Laren had guessed his size exactly. As he began to unbutton his shirt, he realized there was no replacement. Laren hadn’t provided any kind of running shirt or tank top.
“I did that on purpose,” her voice rang out behind him.
Connor wheeled around, his newly unbuttoned shirt still hanging open. He saw her standing behind him, watching.
“Come on, don’t be shy. You’re going to get all sweaty and would want to take it off even if you had one on.”
“Oh, I’m sure that’s what it is. You’re thinking of me. This has nothing to do with you wanting to see me with my shirt off.”
“Why, Connor Moore, I am a lady from an esteemed family. I would never—” Even as she said it, a sly smile played across her lips.
“All right, you have a deal if you tell me what the pickaxe is for. I get why you needed bug spray and water, but what’s the deal with the pickaxe?”
Laren glanced at it propped up against the side of the building. “It seemed silly to just order bug spray and water. I thought your mom might cancel the order and think it was a joke, so I had to order something else.”
“So, of all the things you could have bought, you chose a pickaxe?”
“Well, I don’t have a lot of experience with gardening equipment and it looked cool. I’ve never bought a pickaxe before.”
“The things I do to satisfy our customers.” Connor shrugged off his shirt. Active in sports his entire life, Connor was a perfect physical specimen of what a man should look like. His chest, abdomen, and arms were perfectly chiseled. He looked like a Greek statue had come to life. His olive skin soaked in the sun and his brown eyes focused on Laren.
Winking, Connor broke the silence. “What did you say to me the first time we met? ‘Stare much?’”
Laren had to tear her eyes away from Connor’s body and force herself to look at his face. “Only when I see something I like.” It was her turn to wink now.
It was about two o’clock and the hottest part of the day as the two joggers made their way through the forest. They chose a slower pace to start, their feet making a light, consistent sound like a metronome.
Rabbits scurried from their path as they approached, birds sang songs only they knew, and Connor was at home. The smell of the forest was intoxicating as a variety of floral scents played with his nostrils. The trees welcomed him, extending their limbs in his direction like open . If he listened hard enough, he could even hear the slight trickle of water, indicating a stream nearby.
“So, what brought this about? Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great idea, but why?”
“After our dinner, and especially the way you handled our run in with Randolph, I just wanted to say thank you. Not every guy would have been so understanding.” Laren paused. “No guy has ever been that understanding. There’s so much I want to tell you, Connor, but because of my family’s business, I can’t.”
“None of that matters to me. I just want to get to know you. The real you, not Larentia, but Laren.”
She turned her head and smiled. “Thanks, Connor. It’s been a long time since anyone was interested in getting to know me. Most of the guys my parents approve of are just dating me hoping for an opportunity to get in with my family, or worse, are too intimidated by my father and family to even have anything resembling a decent conversation.”
When another mile had passed, Connor nudged his running partner. “Think you can keep up?”
“You have no idea.”
“Oh really? Is that a challenge?”
“Sure, wanna make a bet?”
Connor thought about this for a minute. He had run in this forest for years and now he pulled on his extensive knowledge of the various paths that crisscrossed the preserve. “Okay, there’s an abandoned ranger station four miles from here. If I get there first, I get to take you out again. This time minus the awkward run-in with the creepy business associate.”
“Okay, but if I win, I get to take you out, minus the run in with the creepy business associate, and you have to let me pay. Deal?”
“Deal.”
Connor grinned, turned his head, and started to really run. His arms pumped alternately as he began to pull away from Laren, slowly at first, but with each stride, a few more inches. After a few minutes, sweat beginning to form over his body, he looked behind him. Expecting to see Laren a few yards in his wake, he was shocked to see her just behind him, a smile playing across her smug face. No sweat on her brow, no signs of exertion.
Connor shook his head in disbelief. Maybe he wasn’t running as fast as he thought. Redoubling his effort, he focused on his breathing and began to sprint. How embarrassing would it be if she beat him? No, she wouldn’t. Connor was the fastest person he knew. Playing football, track, and soccer in school had confirmed this. There was no way she would be able to keep up. Focusing on his breathing, he pushed himself. Faster and faster his legs flew beneath him until the dirt ground looked like a brown blur instead of hard packed earth.
Soon he was willing to risk another look behind him and he almost stopped in his tracks with disbelief. Laren, perfect smile and all, was still right behind him. A few small pools of perspiration now glimmered off her skin, but not even close to the signs of exertion that were manifesting themselves in Connor’s body.
Beginning to feel the strain, he ignored the question of how she could be keeping pace with him and instead concentrated on one thing, speed. At a full sprint, Connor knew he had maybe two to two and a half miles before the ranger station and finish line would appear; he couldn’t lose, he hated losing.
The thought of losing awoke that urge in him. That feeling that told him he must be more than he was. The beast within willed him, lent him its power, its will to run faster. Connor tapped into its strength and lost himself in the freeing power.
There was no way for Connor to gauge how fast he was running, but if he had to guess, it was the fastest he had ever ran. His feet didn’t even feel like they were touching the ground anymore, the forest flew by like a blur of camouflage green. Racing through the forest, Connor couldn’t help but think of the dream he had just a few nights ago.
He rounded the same corner he had in his dream, the corner where he had seen Katie and his mother urging him to run, and half expected to see them there again. To his relief, the bench was empty and there wasn’t a group of hooded figures standing in his path.
Soon the ranger station appeared in the distance. By this time, Connor was pouring sweat. He had given up trying to control his breathing a mile ago and now it came in short, ragged gasps. His legs burned. His arms pumped for all they were worth, but it wasn’t enough. Despite all odds, Laren pulled up next to him.
The amount of effort her body showed while keeping such a harsh pace seemed nonexistent compared to Connor. She still had control of her breathing and she even looked at Connor as she pulled up next to him, giving him a smile and wink as she passed him.
Despite having to recognize defeat, he couldn’t help but think how elegantly she ran. It was more like watching a cheetah or lion glide through a field chasing its prey than a young woman on a run. Connor could only imagine what she must look like to someone standing still—like a ghost.
Within seconds she was so far ahead of him he lost sight of her. Within minutes he had reached the ranger station. Throwing himself on the forest floor in front of the abandoned building, he struggled to breathe. His body had pushed itself to its limits and the air supply his lungs took in couldn’t keep up. His bare chest heaved up and down. His entire body tingled, well, almost his entire body. He couldn’t feel his legs.
He was lying in front of the ranger station, a one story, dilapidated building in a small clearing. White paint flaked off the exterior and the front door was barred shut. He had thrown himself on a patch of grass. Lying face up, he stared into the blue sky, his mind reeling and searching for an answer why Laren could have been so much faster than he was.
It was in the middle of this thought that Laren’s face appeared above him. “Hey, you made it.”
Connor stared at her in disbelief. She was fine, better than fine. If it was possible, she seemed more beautiful and alive than before. Connor struggled to his feet as she offered a helping hand. He took it gratefully and she helped steady him.
Connor looked at her quizzically as he stretched his aching calves. Laren must have read his thoughts because she responded with a simple, “What? I work out.”
“No, Laren, I work out. You… you’ are a robot.”
“I work out a lot?” She phrased this more as a question than a response and looked at him with motherly eyes. “Ohhhhh. Is Connor mad that I beat him?”
“No, not at all. You won fair and square. That’s too bad for me. I guess you have to take me out now.”
“It was a close race, and all joking aside, you are really fast. Makes me think there might be more to you than meets the eye.”
“Please, look who’s talking.”
They both agreed to walk back, although Connor had a sneaking suspicion Laren could have sprinted the entire way had she needed to. The return trip went by quickly as the two once again found joy in each other’s company, talking about the most random and insignificant things.
Soon they were back at the Welcome Center drinking water and laughing at the pickaxe still propped up against the side of the building.
“Of all things a pickaxe? Really?” Connor asked.
“Okay, let the pickaxe go . Besides, it looks kinda cool. So, dinner tonight? There’s a restaurant at the hotel where I’m staying. Dress nice. I’ll see you there at seven?”
“Sounds good.” Connor was mostly dry now, but just mostly. Without warning, he grabbed her and gave her a big bear hug, smothering her in his arms.
She gave out a scream that soon turned into a laugh, “Oh, Connor, that is so gross!”
“I just wanted to give you a congratulatory hug, to show there’s no hard feelings.” This made both of them burst into laughter.
“See ya in a few hours, Connor.”
“See you then.”
As Connor made his way to his truck, he realized Laren’s car wasn’t in the small parking lot., “Hey, where did you park?”
“I parked on a service street just under a mile down the road so you wouldn’t see my car. I wanted it to be a surprise,” she said as she grabbed the pickaxe, once again showing no strain, and slung it across her shoulder. “Here. I’ve decided to put my gold mining career on hold for a while.” She tossed the pickaxe into the back of Connor’s truck and looked at him with a single raised eyebrow. “Hurry and go home. You definitely need a shower before tonight.”