“I’m not sure. Maybe a little of both.”
“Those are always the most complicated ones.”
My mouth curved. “You’re not wrong there. It’s good to see you, Shiloh.”
She shifted on her feet. “Is it okay that I came?”
That slight hesitation made my ribs tighten around my lungs. “You’re welcome anytime.”
The set of Shiloh’s shoulders relaxed a fraction, and she surveyed the land around us. Her gaze caught on the shed in the distance. The building that held all of our ghosts—or most of them, anyway. I needed to tear the thing down. Burn it and bury the ashes. Put something worthy in its place.
Shiloh’s face shut down, her gaze dropping to her feet as her hands clenched and flexed at her sides. She seemed to be counting silently. I didn’t say a word, wanting to give her all of the time and space she needed. After a minute or so, she straightened, turning back to face me. “Thank you. For what you did. I’ve thought a lot about you over the years. I never had a chance to say that, so I’m saying it now.”
“You don’t need to—”
“I do.” Her eyes blazed with a fierce heat. “The doctors said I probably wouldn’t have made it another couple of days. Thank you.”
The invisible vise around my torso tightened another notch. How could my family not see? That this sickness in my father had almost cost another family everything? “Are you okay?”
Shiloh lifted one shoulder then dropped it back down. “I’m as good as anyone can be, I think. People might think I’m a little weird. But that’s okay with me.”
“All my favorite people are a little weird.”
The corner of her mouth kicked up as the wind made the long braid down her back swing. “Good taste.” She was quiet for a few moments, seemingly not feeling the need to fill the space. “Mom said you’re turning this place into a sanctuary.”
“That’s the plan. As you can see, it’s going to take a while.”
“Might go faster if you had help.”
I met Shiloh’s stare. “True enough.”
She steeled herself, those hands clenching again. “I’d like to help.”
“You would?” I couldn’t imagine it was easy for her to be here. Yet she stood steady as a rock.
“Yes.”
“I can’t really afford to bring anyone on.” It would take a wish and a prayer to get this place off the ground without going bankrupt.
“I’ve got money. Don’t need any more from you. And I like animals…a hell of a lot more than people. It would be nice to build a home for ones who could use it.”
I studied the woman in front of me. The face that had haunted so many of my dreams. The person I’d wondered about, time after time. “What do you know about fences?”
She grinned. “Dug more than my share of post holes.”
“We still have an hour or so of light. Let’s tear this down so we can build it back up.”
12
Hayes
Dad guided his truck up the mountain road. “She’s gonna have a hell of a time when we get a good snow.”
“I had the same thought when I first came up here.”
“Should talk to her about snow tires and good chains. I can call Greg about putting her on the plow list for winter. Maybe even get a snowmobile in case of emergency or—”
“Dad.”
He glanced quickly at me. “What?”
“It’s gonna be okay. She’s nice.”
He nodded, adjusting his grip on the wheel. “I know that.”
“Then I think you can stop chattering about every type of plan for snow.”
Dad scowled in my direction. “I wasn’t chattering. Didn’t anyone ever teach you to respect your elders?”
“Apparently, not.”
“I’m rethinking my parenting approach.”
“Understandable. You raised a bunch of hooligans.”
He snorted. “Ain’t that the truth?”
Koda pushed his head between the two seats as the cabin came into view. I gave him a scratch under his chin. “I know you’re excited, but you need to behave yourself. You were an embarrassment the last time you were here.”
“He jump on Everly?”
“No, just didn’t obey a single command.”
“Koda,” my dad said, leaning his shoulder into the dog, “you’re gonna get yourself into trouble one of these days.”
“Not with Everly. She loves dogs.”
We came to a stop in front of the cabin, and I caught sight of the woman stacking what appeared to be fence posts. Her hair was piled in a messy array on top of her head, blond strands gleaming in the sun. She moved with an ease that said she wasn’t a stranger to hard work. Her tank top and worn jeans showed the lean muscles and curves beneath.
“That her?” Dad whispered.
“That’s her.” I forced my gaze away from the woman I was beginning to worry could drive me to distraction. “Come on, Koda.” I slid out of the truck and opened Koda’s door as I shut mine. Everly looked up at the sound, but I had a feeling she’d already known we were there. “Incoming,” I called as Koda leaped down.
He made a beeline for his new best friend, and Everly dropped her post so she could meet Koda on the fly. She sank to a crouch as Koda’s front legs went to her shoulders. He licked her face, and Everly’s head tipped back as she let a laugh free. The sound punched me right in the gut, and I almost had to take a step back.
“Well, I’d say those two have hit it off,” Dad said, coming to stand next to me.
“Something like that,” I muttered.
Everly stood, pulling a treat out of her back pocket. Her gaze met mine. “Is it okay if I give him this?”
“Sure.”
She sobered, looking Koda in the eyes. “Sit.” With a singular motion of her hand, Koda’s butt plunked right on the dirt.
“Well, I’ll be. I’ve never seen him sit so quickly for you when he’s this excited.”
“Shut up.”
Dad’s mouth pressed into a firm line as if he were trying to hold back a smile. “It wasn’t an insult.”
“Sure, it wasn’t.”
Everly gave Koda the little bone and rubbed his head. “Good boy.” She looked up at me. “I was hoping you’d bring him.”
“So you were prepared.”
A hint of pink flushed her cheeks. “There were some treats by the checkout at the hardware store. Thought it wouldn’t hurt to have some on hand.”
I adjusted the ballcap on my head to block the sun. “You’ve made his day.”
“A little spoiling now and then doesn’t hurt.”
“He gets more than a little of that,” Dad cut in, taking a step forward. “I’m Gabe. It’s wonderful to finally meet you. Thank you for everything you’ve done for our family.”
Everly slid her hand into my father’s open one for a shake. “I’m glad to meet you, too. And thanks for coming out here to check out the barn. I’m afraid it might be a total loss.”
I didn’t miss that she avoided the thanks from Dad. I studied her carefully, trying to figure why that was. I was sure it brought up bad memories at the very least.
Dad inclined his head towards the leaning structure. “Let’s go see what’s what, and we can take it from there.”
“Sure.”
Everly led us towards the barn. “I haven’t been inside.”