Is that thing street legal? Nathan asked.
Leo ignored his question. What the fuck are you doing here?
Brooke gaped at his rudeness. She probably never spoke that way to her parents.
This is Leos dad, Abby said, putting her arm around Brookes shoulders.
The girl recovered from her shock and greeted him politely. Im Brooke.
Nathan, he said, shaking her hand. Pleased to meet you.
Abby guided her inside, aware that Nathan and Leo needed some privacy.
Nathan didnt know where to begin. He hadnt talked to Leo since Christmas. Now that Leo was an adult, Nathan couldnt force him to accept his calls or allow visits. Ray and Lydia supported him financially.
Nathan had no say in his life. No rights. No relationship.
Hed lost his son in the divorce, as well as his wife. Although he took responsibility for the problems hed created, he still resented being out of the parental loop. Lydia never consulted with him about important issues, like vehicle ownership and college enrollment. Ray gave Leo free rein to fuck up and footed all the bills.
Leo had grown several inches since last summer, when Nathan had stopped by to see him after a game at UCLA. Between semesters, he lived with Ray and Lydia in Beverly Hills. Theyd converted the pool house into a small studio apartment where he could jam loud music and hang out with his hoodlum friends.
His hair was longer. His shoulders were a little broader. Though he refused to play sports, he was a natural athlete. He had quick reflexes and a quick mindwhen he wasnt under the influence. Someday his dissolute lifestyle would catch up with him. For now he was lean and strong and brimming with health.
You need a haircut, Nathan said.
Leo lodged his helmet under one arm, feigning boredom. What do you want?
Your mom and Ray couldnt make it.
He swore at them both under his breath, which set Nathans nerves further on edge. Leo didnt appreciate the easy life hed been given.
Dont disrespect your mother, Nathan said.
Only you can?
Nathan hadnt badmouthed Lydia since he quit drinking, but hed called her some unflattering names over the years. Theyd argued and exchanged scathing insults. Once, Leo had gotten between them, shoving and kicking. Tears streaming down his face, hed yelled at Nathan to leave his mother alone.
She called me from the E.R., Nathan said.
Leo tensed at the news. Still protective. What happened?
She sprained her ankle. She cant walk, so she asked me to fill in. She thought we could go hiking together.
I hate hiking.
Then why did you come?
Leo fell silent, glowering into the dark shadows beyond the cabin. Nathan already knew the answer. Leo was driving an old motorcycle for a reason. Ray had taken away his car after finding a joint in the ashtray. Lydia was planning to confront him about his drug use this week. His attendance wasnt optional.
Maybe Lydias injury was real and maybe it wasnt. Nathan wondered if shed delegated this responsibility because she couldnt deal with it. She had a certain sense of fatalism, a belief that people followed a set course in life. No one could change their destiny and everything was meant to be.
The upside was that she had a loving, accepting personality. The downside was that she gave Leo very little guidance. He needed boundaries and disciplinetough love. Ray wasnt a pushover, but he served his own interests and avoided conflict. It was up to Nathan to reach Leo. Nathan hoped he could get through to him before it was too late.
Your mother wants us to spend time together, he said, his throat tight. I want us to spend time together.
With a scowl, Leo fished his cell phone out of his pocket and stepped away from Nathan to call Lydia. They began a rapid conversation in Portuguese. She was from Brazil, so shed taught Leo her native tongue and a fair amount of Spanish. Leo could tell Nathan to fuck off in three different languages.
Nathan was proud of that. Sort of.
Apparently Lydia held her ground. She wasnt going to give his car back unless he stayed at the cabin with Nathan. Leo mumbled goodbye and pocketed his phone.
Are we clear? Nathan asked.
Leo strode toward the front door, not bothering to respond. Nathan followed him inside. Brooke was sitting on the couch, her eyes wet with tears. Either shed spoken to Ray or her mother had broken the bad news. Nathan felt sorry for her. Brooke exchanged a glance with Leo, who glared at Nathan as if hed made her cry.
Lydia had told him that this trip had been Brookes idea. Brooke was the intrepid explorer who loved communing with nature. Abby handed her daughter a mug of cocoa. Brooke sipped the drink, studying Nathan.
Would you like some cocoa? Abby asked Leo.
He sat down on the couch next to Brooke. No, thanks.
Abby leaned her hip against the side of the couch. She reached out, as if to smooth her daughters hair. But instead of following through on the motion, she drew back a curled fist. We can still go hiking.
Brooke shrugged, wiping the tears from her cheeks.
Abbys presence at the cabin was both a relief and a complication. With her here, Nathan didnt have to look after Brooke. Hed figured that she would stay with him and Leo or go home. The idea of hiking as a foursome hadnt occurred to him.
Until now.
Where were you planning to hike? Nathan asked.
Brooke had a map open on the surface of the coffee table. There are a bunch of cool places around here, she said, sniffling. I wanted to go to Echo Lake. She pointed to a round blue spot on the map. The trail splits off from there. Its a steep climb to Miracle Hot Springs or a gentle slope to Lupine Meadow.
Nathan settled into a nearby armchair.
My dad and Lydia would have picked the easier route, Brooke said.
That was all Nathan needed to hear. Hed endured grueling training sessions throughout his baseball career, and he still exercised every day. Physically, Ray was no match for him. Not that they were in competition or anything. Then lets take the hard way.
Brooke met his gaze. Really?
Sure. Theres no reason to cancel your plans.
Her face lit up with excitement. Can we, Mom?
We dont want to impose, Abby said.
Not at all, Nathan said. If anyones imposing, its me.
You got that right, Leo muttered.
Brooke slapped his shoulder. Leo!
What?
Be nice to your dad.
Abby went into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. She came back, passing it to Leo. Although he hadnt asked for it, he untwisted the cap and took a drink. Brooke and I can hike on our own, Abby said.
Thats no fun, Brooke said, as if hanging out with Abby was a chore.
Leo smirked at her plaintive response. He wasnt keen on camping with his old man, either, but he might enjoy following Brooke up a mountain. Leo would probably be on his best behavior around her. He also couldnt take off on his motorcycle if he got angry with Nathan, which was bound to happen.
This was perfect.
Hiking as a group is safer, especially in remote wilderness areas, Nathan said. Lydia told me there was a murder just a few miles from here last summer. They found a guy with an arrow in his chest.
Hiking as a group is safer, especially in remote wilderness areas, Nathan said. Lydia told me there was a murder just a few miles from here last summer. They found a guy with an arrow in his chest.
I read about that, Abby said. It was a couple. The girl is still missing.
Maybe she killed him, Leo said.
Ooh, Brooke said with approval. Spooky.
Nathan caught Abbys exasperated look. Kids.
How many days will we be gone? Abby asked.
Four or five at the most, Brooke said. But well be near water the whole time. You dont have to worry about being dirty.
Abby made a noncommittal sound.
Shes kind of a neat freak, Brooke explained to Nathan and Leo.
Im a fan of regular showers, myself, Leo said.
Brooke wrinkled her nose at Leos lame joke and they both laughed. Nathan wasnt sure what to think of them. He hardly remembered being a teenager. When he was Leos age, hed been a professional baseball player, married with a kid on the way. These two werent children, but he couldnt see them as adults.
Is it settled? Nathan asked Abby.
My dad had all of the supplies delivered, Brooke said, leaping to her feet. If we pack up our gear tonight, we can get an early start tomorrow.
Leo groaned at her enthusiasm, but Brooke couldnt be dissuaded. Denying her was like trying to stop the sunrise.
What do you say? she asked, arms spread wide.
Okay, Abby said, giving in.
CHAPTER THREE
ABBY WOKE BEFORE DAWN.
She reached for her cell phone and noted the time. Her alarm would ring in ten minutes. Turning it off, she scooted away from Brooke and climbed out of bed. Nathan and Leo had taken the other two bedrooms, so she and Brooke had shared.
Last night, Brooke had organized all of the supplies they needed. Two small tents, four sleeping bags, four mats. Miscellaneous food items and dried meal packages. A bear canister, water filter, flashlight, first-aid kit. Toiletries and cooking utensils.
Brooke was a ruthless minimalist. She wouldnt allow Abby to bring any makeup or unnecessary clothes, claiming shed regret every extra ounce. As a result, the packs weighed less than ten pounds each.
Abby put on the clothes shed laid out the night before. Theyd be stopping at the lake before they reached camp, so she started with her swimsuit, a sporty blue two-piece. Over that, she pulled on basic running shorts and a gray tank top. Her anklet socks and black hiking shoes completed the look.
After brushing her teeth and pulling her hair into a ponytail, she studied her appearance. Devoid of makeup, her face looked plain and bare. She saw smudges under her eyes, pale lips, freckles and crows feet.
Tiptoeing toward her beauty case, she unfastened the latch.
Dont even think about it, Brooke mumbled.
What?
She rolled over in bed and squinted at Abby. Your makeup will wash off when you swim.
Ill keep my head above water.
What about tomorrow? Im not carrying that stuff for you.
Abby would give up a couple of meals for her MAC case. Just a little mascara, some lip gloss, a bit of concealer...
You dont need it.
That was easy for Brooke to say; she didnt need any. She had a smooth, even complexion. Her skin tanned easily. Although her hair was blond, like Abbys, her brows and lashes were dark.
Brooke propped her head on her hand. What do you think of Leos dad?
Hes very nice.
Nice?
Abby glanced at the closed door, hoping Nathan couldnt hear them. They hadnt talked about this last night. Brooke had stayed up late playing video games with Leo. Shed fallen asleep as soon as she crawled into bed.
Leo says hes single, Brooke added in a low voice.
How would he know? They dont get along.
Lydia knows.
Dont embarrass me.
With a smile, Brooke threw back the comforter and rose from the bed in her underwear. She was lithe and lean, pantherlike. Sometimes Abby couldnt believe this fully grown woman had come out of her body.
Not so long ago, her daughter had been gap-toothed and giggling, wearing a party hat. Shed been a newborn who refused to latch on for the first two weeks, and then a toddler whod refused to stop when Abby tried to wean her. Shed always been stubborn, prone to outbursts, quick to laugh and full of energy.
Brooke flipped open the makeup case and rifled through its contents. Here, she said, choosing a single item. She tucked the rose-tinted lip moisturizer into Abbys palm and closed her fingers around it, as if bestowing a precious gift.
Abby turned to the mirror and applied it, her throat tight.
Brooke came up behind her. Do you think I need boobs? she asked, covering her small breasts with her hands.
Absolutely not, Abby said, appalled. Brooke had a runners figure, strong and sleek. Youre perfect.
I look like a boy.
Who told you that?
No one important.
Good, because its ridiculous.
Were you flat, before?
You dont remember?
Brooke shook her head.
Brooke had been twelve when Abby had her breasts done. Too young to notice the flaws Abby had seen so clearly. I wasnt flat...I was asymmetrical.
Like, one big boob and one small? She adjusted her hands over her chest to demonstrate.
Yes. It wasnt the only reason for her augmentation; Abbys self-confidence had taken a hit during the divorce. If she hadnt been such an emotional wreck, she might not have gone under the knife, but she was happy with the results. You have a lovely figure, very proportional. Besides, large breasts are a pain for sports.
True.
They also seem to attract jerks, Abby pointed out.
Why is that?
I dont know.
Although her implants werent that obvious, Abby worried about the example shed set for Brooke. Until now, Brooke had never complained about her shape or acted self-conscious. She certainly wasnt shy about wearing revealing clothes. Abby wondered what had prompted this conversation. What are the boys like at Berkeley?
Brooke stopped posing in front of the mirror and dropped her hands. Shed steered clear of serious relationships in high school, preferring to concentrate on sports and academics. Theyre hot, rich and smart.
It was a succinct summary, delivered with more cynicism than a girl her age should have. Maybe Brooke had some trust issues of her own.
Thanks, Ray.
Brooke scooped up a pile of clothes and escaped into the bathroom. Abby hoped her daughter would come to her if she needed someone to talk to. She also wished Brooke had a better male role model. Too often, her father wasnt there for her.
With a frown, Abby left the bedroom and headed for the kitchen. The soles of her shoes made no sound on the lush carpet. When she exited the hallway, she saw Nathan and almost jumped out of her skin.
You scared me, he said, removing the carafe from the coffeemaker.
It took her a few seconds to realize he was joking. I didnt know you were up.
I was trying to be quiet.
He went to the sink and filled the carafe with water, whistling. After transferring the water to the reservoir, he plugged in the machine and turned it on.