A Time for Home: A Snowberry Creek Novel Read online

  When she stepped out of the trees, Nick was standing next to the lawn mower. He avoided looking in her direction until she was within a few feet of him. His attitude wasn’t exactly welcoming as he brushed bits of cut grass off his sweaty skin. His expression softened slightly when she held up the bottled water.

  “Thought maybe you could use one of these.”

  At least he accepted the cold drink. Poor Mooch parked himself between the two humans, giving them each worried looks. Nick took a long swig and then dumped some in his hand to splash on his face and neck. Then he poured more in his hand and bent down to offer it to his pal. Mooch dutifully lapped up the cool water and then accepted a second serving.

  Nick avoided looking at Callie when he spoke. “Thanks, Callie. That tasted good. It’s a lot hotter out here than I realized.”

  When he straightened up, he gave the lawn mower a nudge with the toe of his shoe. “Sorry, but I think I killed your mower.”

  Keeping her focus on the machine and not the man, she tried to reassure him. “Don’t worry about it, Nick. In fact, as old as that thing is, I’m surprised you could even get it started at all. I know it hasn’t been used in years. My father always cut Spence’s grass with his own riding mower.”

  Looking disgusted, Nick glanced around at the yard. He’d cut only a couple of swaths, which just emphasized how overgrown the whole yard was. “Sorry, but it actually looks worse than when I started.”

  She forced a smile. “I’m not sure that’s possible.”

  Callie wanted to ask if he was all right but knew any questions on the subject wouldn’t be welcome. “No one has lived here for years, not even Spence. The whole place needs a lot of work.”

  Callie tried to see Spence’s home through his friend’s eyes rather than the filter of her own memories. Yeah, it did look pretty run-down. The paint was peeling, the gutters sagged, and the lawn looked more like a pasture than the front yard of a beautiful old home. Maybe that was all Nick saw, whereas she’d been looking past all of that to the possibilities.

  “When I think about everything that it will take to restore the place, it gets a bit overwhelming. I’d planned on finding someone to get the yard back under control first, thinking maybe some high school kid needing a summer job would be interested. Once the worst of it gets cleared out, I should be able to maintain the yard myself.”

  Nick picked up the T-shirt he’d tossed on a nearby bush and put it on. “Do you think your dad would mind if I borrowed his lawn mower?”

  Callie didn’t know what to say. While she appreciated the offer, she didn’t want him to feel obligated. Not to mention that she’d assumed he and Mooch would be back on the road tomorrow.

  “He wouldn’t mind, Nick, but surely you can think of something you’d enjoy doing more on a sunny afternoon than mowing my grass.”

  His eyes flared wide before he quickly looked away. She backed up a step, something about the intensity of his expression leaving her unsettled. What was he thinking about that had him staring off into the distance with his hands curled into white-knuckled fists? Nothing good, she’d bet.

  “I scared you screaming like that, didn’t I?”

  There wasn’t any use in lying to him. “A little.”

  When he finally looked at her again, his dark eyes were stone cold. “Do you want me to pack up now and leave? Just say the word and I’m gone.”

  She didn’t hesitate. “No, Nick, I don’t want that at all. To be honest, I was more afraid for you than of you, if that makes sense.”

  To support her statement, she took a step closer to him. “Spence had a couple of similar episodes on his last visit home when something startled him. At least you stuck around to talk to me. He just took off. Afterward, I tried telling him I’d rather he not hide from me, but I’m not sure he believed me.”

  “He probably felt like a fool for jumping at shadows.” Nick flexed his hands several times and then rolled his shoulders. “After living on full alert for months on end, it’s hard to shut it all off overnight. Most of the time I think I’m handling everything okay, but then I get blindsided by something as stupid as a lawn mower engine backfiring. It makes it hard to be around other people sometimes.”

  Confessing even that much was obviously difficult for him. Nick swallowed hard before continuing. “Maybe later I’ll see what I can do to resurrect this mower. It shouldn’t take much to tune it up and sharpen the blade. Even so, grass this high is too much for a regular mower. If you’re sure it’s okay, I’ll use your dad’s riding mower to finish the job.”

  She handed him the second bottle of water. “Why don’t I go get it while you drink some more of this? Can I bring you anything else?”

  He was already dragging the mower back toward the garage. “No, I’m fine. I made a trip to the store this morning to stock up on a few things.”

  Callie was about to start back to her parents’ house but paused to ask one more question. “One reason I came over was to ask what kind of food you were in the mood for tonight.”

  Nick stopped midstep but kept his back to her. “Are you sure you still want to go?”

  He stood frozen as if bracing himself for a negative response. Did he really think she’d blow him off now? “Yes, I’m sure, if for no other reason than I’m sick of my own cooking.”

  Her smile felt more genuine this time. “So what sounds good? Seafood, Italian, steaks, barbecue?”

  Nick started moving again. “Anything as long as the restaurant is casual. I’m not sure I even own a tie anymore.”

  She laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind. See you in a few minutes.”

  Chapter 6

  Mooch remained close by Nick’s side even though he paused several times as if unsure which human deserved his company more at the moment. Nick shot him a disgusted look.

  “You’d have to be three kinds of crazy to hang out here with me instead of going with Callie. Besides, you’re supposed to be using all of your limited charm on her so she’ll offer you a permanent home here.”

  Mooch evidently decided not to play favorites and took off for the front porch. He flopped down on the rug that served as a doormat, positioning himself where he could keep a wary eye on his surroundings.

  “I’ll be right back,” Nick assured him and continued on toward the garage.

  He shoved the mower back where he’d found it. Callie hadn’t been exaggerating when she’d said the garage was full of junk. Who had been the pack rat in the Lang family? It didn’t seem likely that it had been Spence. At first glance, it appeared that most of the stuff should’ve been hauled to the dump years ago. After poking around a bit, Nick pulled out a couple of small tables and wiped off the dust and cobwebs to get a better look at them. They could be salvaged with a little work. It wouldn’t take much.

  Too bad he wouldn’t be around long enough to do the job. There was definitely plenty of room in the house for more furniture. He’d explored most of the house last night when he’d had trouble sleeping. Almost every room had empty spots where it looked as if furniture had gone missing.

  Maybe Callie had already claimed a few favorite pieces for herself, but somehow that didn’t feel right to him. And really, it wasn’t any of his business. He stuck the tables back where he’d found them.

  The best thing he could do for Callie was take her to dinner as promised, keeping things light and easy. Afterward, he should come back to the house, pack up, and be ready to leave at first light. That was exactly what he would do if he were on his own, but there was still Mooch to deal with. It would be damn hard to leave the dog behind, but it was the kindest thing Nick could do for him.

  Somehow he’d have to find a way to broach the subject over dinner. The worst Callie could say was no, and then he’d head back home to Ohio to leave the dog with his parents, at least until Nick got his own life settled. They’d do it if he asked it o
f them, but it wouldn’t be a permanent solution. His dad was planning on retiring soon, and all his folks had talked about was how much traveling they wanted to do. He wouldn’t interfere with that if he could help it.

  He slammed the garage door closed. “Damn it, Spence, I’m running out of options here, but don’t worry. I’ll make sure Mooch finds a good home.”

  It wasn’t the first time he’d caught himself talking to Spence, and it wasn’t likely to be the last. Maybe it was another sign that he’d yet to accept what had happened back in Afghanistan, but he didn’t think so. He knew full well that he’d lost his friend; he had the gaping hole in his life to prove it.

  Things just made more sense if he talked them out with a friend. Leif was only a phone call away, but he had his own problems without having to shoulder the weight of Nick’s, too. That left Spence.

  “By the way, buddy, your lady is every bit as nice as you said she was. She misses you.”

  They both did. Nick used the hem of his shirt to wipe his face clean of sweat. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’m thinking I might have to stick around for a week or so if Callie will let me. It will give her a chance to get to know Mooch better, and she could sure use a hand fixing up this monster of a house you left her. Maybe I can help her get on track with what needs to be done. My dad is a contractor, you know, and I grew up working on one of his crews.”

  He paused, wishing for an answer he knew full well wouldn’t come. Or maybe it had, considering he could hear the distant rumble of an engine heading his way. It had to be Callie bringing him her father’s riding mower. He’d use it to cut the grass and then maybe start clearing out the flower beds. Surely she’d understand that he couldn’t leave a job half-done.

  Only time would tell. But for the moment, he’d get busy and earn his keep.

  • • •

  Nick mowed the entire yard twice, resetting the blade height the second time to get the grass down to the right height. It wasn’t perfect, but it definitely looked better than it had. When he had driven the mower back over to Callie’s house, he’d decided her yard could stand to be mowed, too.

  Callie had stopped by a while ago to say she’d gotten an unexpected phone call and had to leave to meet with her attorney. She hadn’t looked happy about whatever it was but hadn’t offered any explanations. At least it meant Nick was able to get the mowing done while he had the place to himself. After putting the riding mower back in her dad’s shed, Nick walked back over to Spence’s place looking forward to a shower and a long nap. He wanted to be well rested for their outing later that evening.

  Just as he stepped out of the woods, a patrol car pulled into Spence’s driveway. Interesting. What had happened to draw the attention of the local police?

  Mooch wasn’t any happier about the uninvited guest than Nick was. The dog remained up on the porch, his head down, a low growl making his opinion of the situation all too clear. For the moment, the man remained inside the car talking on his cell phone, which gave Nick time to reach the porch steps. He sat down close enough to Mooch to be able to grab the dog’s collar if the mutt got it into his head that the cop was the enemy.

  Pitching his voice low and calm, he tried to reassure his worried companion while they waited to see what was up. “It’s okay, boy. Let’s assume he’s one of the good guys.”

  At least until he proved otherwise. Too bad Callie wasn’t there to run interference. Nick stayed where he was, preferring to let the officer approach him. While he waited, he opened the small cooler he’d left out on the porch and pulled out two soft drinks. He also had a six-pack of beer in there but figured the cop couldn’t have one while he was on duty.

  The car door finally opened. Nick assessed his visitor, guessing him to be maybe ten years older than his own age of twenty-nine. He’d also bet the man had spent time in the military somewhere along the way. Something about the way he carried himself, or maybe it was that familiar hint of steel in those blue eyes. Nick popped the top on his drink, took a quick sip, and then pasted what he hoped was a friendly smile on his face.

  “Good afternoon, Officer. I’m Nick Jenkins, a friend of Callie’s. What brings you out this way?”

  Calling himself a friend of Callie’s wasn’t too much of a stretch, even allowing that they’d met only the day before. He was reasonably sure she’d back his play on the matter.

  “I’m Gage Logan, the chief of police here in Snowberry Creek. I was driving by and saw the grass had been cut. I try to keep an eye on any vacant houses in the area to make sure we don’t get any squatters. We don’t get many homeless folks, but there are a few.”

  Okay, that didn’t make any sense. “Do squatters usually mow the lawn?”

  That crack obviously didn’t win Nick any points with his guest. The man studied Nick for several seconds, maybe hoping he would offer up more information on his own. When he didn’t, Chief Logan continued speaking.

  “I wasn’t aware that Miss Redding had decided to rent out this place.”

  “That’s because she didn’t. Rent it, that is.” As he spoke, Nick held out the second pop. “Here, you look like you could use one of these.”

  When the lawman accepted the cold drink, Nick scooted over to make room if the police chief wanted to join him on the steps. “I served with Spence Lang in Afghanistan. I stopped by to pay my respects to Callie.”

  His explanation evidently satisfied the police chief, because his stance became more relaxed. “I knew Spence’s family. His parents were good people.”

  But Spence’s uncle hadn’t been, Nick added to himself. Spence hadn’t talked about the man much, but it was obvious there’d been no love lost between the two.

  Logan took a long drink. He made solid eye contact with Nick when he spoke again. “I was really sorry to hear about Spence. I know his death hit Callie and her folks really hard. I think it came as even more of a shock to her to find out that he’d left everything to her.”

  What could Nick say to that? “She meant a lot to Spence. They stayed close even if they didn’t get to spend much time together.”

  Although Spence had hoped to change that when he came home from their deployment.

  “How long do you expect to be staying here?” Logan softened the question with a hint of a smile. “I just want to know what to tell my men, so they’ll know why there are lights on in the house.”

  “That will depend on Callie. I’m back in the States on leave and don’t have any particular plans. I thought I might stick around long enough to get the yard back in shape for her.”

  Sensing Nick had relaxed his guard, Mooch lunged down the steps, getting out of reach before Nick could stop him. The cop stood his ground but allowed Mooch to check him out.

  “Mooch, come back here. He doesn’t need to get covered in dog hair.”

  “That’s okay.” Logan held out his hand for Mooch to sniff and then patted the dog on his head, grinning when he noticed he was wearing real dog tags.

  “Is he an ex-military dog?”

  “No, at least not officially.”

  The combination of hot sun and bad memories had images of Afghanistan filling Nick’s mind, threatening to take control. He fought hard to keep from getting swept back to the night when Mooch had entered their lives. One of the army docs had told him that if he felt himself slipping back into the past, to concentrate on something physical, something solid. He tightened his grip on the can, focusing on the drops of water trickling down the cool metal. Gradually, his mind cleared.

  Hoping he hadn’t been silent too long, he finished the story. “He was a stray that took a liking to Spence one night when we were out on patrol. Mooch saved our asses by warning us we were about to walk into an ambush. We made him an official member of the squad after that.”

  Logan patted Mooch on the head again. “Well, it looks like Callie’s place is in good hands, so I’ll hit t
he road.”

  He looked around one last time. “A word of warning. Spence’s uncle wasn’t at all happy about him leaving this place to Callie instead of him and his son. He made some noise about contesting the will, but I think he was just rattling cages to see what happened. No one has seen him around lately. It would be nice if that means he’s given up and moved on.”

  “But you’re not sure.” Nick stood up to face the police chief head-on. “Do you think he poses any kind of threat to Callie?”

  Logan set his empty can on the porch railing and took his hat off to run his fingers through his hair. “I’d like to say no, but I can’t for sure. When Vince is sober, you can reason with him, but he has a well-deserved reputation of being a mean drunk.”

  He put his hat back on. “But as I said, no one has seen him in several weeks. Vince disappeared right after the attorney told him the will was airtight. I’m not sure how he’ll react if he finds out she’s fixing the place up.”

  “Thanks for the heads-up, Chief. I’ll talk to Callie about it when she gets back.”

  He’d also get his sidearm out of the locked toolbox in his truck and keep it close at hand as long as he was staying at the house. He trailed after the chief, who was heading back to his patrol car.

  Chief Logan waved one last time before he pulled out onto the road. The man had given Nick a lot to think about, none of it good.

  “Come on inside, Mooch. I’m going to grab a shower and then take a nap. You might want to catch some shut-eye, too. It’s going to take all of our energy tonight to convince Ms. Callie Redding that she needs a guard dog around to keep her safe.”

  And he wasn’t just talking about Mooch.

  Chapter 7