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.
Abby studied him as they waited for the coffee to brew. He was wearing a faded blue Toros T-shirt with tan cargo shorts and brown hiking boots. The clothes fit well on his body, which appeared to be in fantastic shape. She figured he had to be close to forty, but only his face showed his age. He had thick brown hair, broad shoulders and a trim waist. An outdoor setting would only accentuate his rugged features.
It wasnt fair.
Abby didnt want to rough it with a man this attractive. She was going to be sweaty and anxious and unkempt. The idea of trekking through the woods and leaving civilization behind intimidated her. She didnt like feeling out of her element, out of control.
You must have been a child bride, he said.
Shed heard that one before. It was an odd sort of compliment, but she saw no censure in his expression. And you were twelve when you fathered Leo, right?
He laughed, shaking his head. I was nineteen. The same age he is now.
Were you more mature than he is?
Maybe, but not by much.
She fell silent for a moment, pondering her own teen marriage. At eighteen, shed thought she was ready to be a wife and mother. Shed wanted her own family more than anything. Ray had been five years older, and on a fast track to a promising career in medicine. Theyd skipped the courtship and gone straight to playing house.
Was the pregnancy unplanned? she asked, tentative.
His brows rose at the personal question. Its hard to say that, considering how careless we were with protection. The real surprise was that it didnt happen sooner.
Did you want to get married?
I did, actually. I had to talk her into it. She had reservations about the amount of time I spent traveling with the team.
Abby couldnt blame her. She imagined a young, beautiful Lydia, taking care of a baby by herself while Nathan the Storm Strom hit home runs in front of a roaring crowd. Lydia had gotten the short end of that stick.
When the coffee was finished brewing, Nathan grabbed a cup and handed it to her.
Thanks, she said, disconcerted by his proximity.
Isnt this cozy, Brooke said as she walked in. She was wearing a red tank top, frayed denim short-shorts and sturdy hiking boots. Her long hair was braided under a baseball cap. You two should get revenge on Lydia and Dad by hooking up.
Abby stepped back from Nathan too quickly and spilled coffee over the rim of her mug. Brooke!
What?
Nathan coughed into his fist, as if covering a laugh. He found another mug on the shelf and busied himself with the coffeemaker. Abby set her cup aside and wiped the floor with a paper towel, her cheeks hot.
Coffee? Nathan offered Brooke.
No, thanks.
He must have preferred it black, because he left without adding any cream or sugar. Ladies, he said, winking at Abby.
Brooke gave her a triumphant smile.
Abby opened the refrigerator, half hoping she could crawl inside and die. I cant believe you said that.
Relax. He thought I was joking.
Abby took out a carton of soy milk and a jar of orange juice. Should I make breakfast?
Definitely. Be domestic.
Abby rifled through the utensil drawer for a spatula. You can scramble eggs, she said, pointing it at Brooke.
They cooked almost a dozen eggs, along with turkey bacon and wheat toast. Nathan came back for a plate. Leo also roused from his slumber. He was dressed casually in basketball shorts and a T-shirt that said High Life across the front. Nathans gaze darkened with irritation when he saw the marijuana logo.
Abby could cut through the tension between them with a knife. Nathan had said that Leo didnt like him. It appeared to be true. He was polite to her and Brooke, seemingly indifferent toward his father.
After breakfast, Leo helped Brooke with the dishes while Nathan walked outside to make business calls on his cell phone. Abby perused the local newspaper, which must have been delivered with the groceries. She found a disturbing story about Echo Lake. A few years ago, a group of teenagers had hiked there for an afternoon swim. When it was time to leave, one of the girls hadnt returned to shore. Divers searched a portion of the lake but were unable to recover the body. She was presumed drowned.
Abby read the article out loud to Brooke and Leo. Youll have to be careful swimming. There are obstacles in the water. Sunken logs.
Well use the buddy system, Leo said.
Brooke handed him a plate to dry. Stop reading that stuff, Mom. Youre going to get all worked up.
Abby flipped through the pages with a sigh. Near the back, there was a photo of a smiling young woman hugging a terrier mix. Both were missing. She was last seen at a pet store, buying a leash for the dog.
Maybe shed gone hiking.
Pulse racing, Abby returned to the Echo Lake article and noted the victims name. Then she picked up her cell phone and did a quick search for the drowning victims name plus the missing girls name. They were connected, but only as former residents of Monarch. Both were young, blonde and pretty.
Curious, Abby looked for more information about missing girls and women in the area. There were dozens of articles about the college student whod been murdered on the Pacific Crest Trail. Hed been shot in the chest with an arrow from a crossbow. His girlfriendyoung, blonde and prettyhad never been found.
If Abby hadnt seen the first two women in the same newspaper, she might not have noticed the similarities. She skimmed the other articles for evidence that law enforcement officials were investigating a link between them. They werent even trying to find the drowning victim. The woman and the dog could have gone anywhere. Forest rangers and volunteers had combed the woods for the college students girlfriend, to no avail.
What if all three women had fallen prey to a killer?
Abby didnt voice this concern out loud. It was far-fetched, she supposed, and Brooke would accuse her of obsessing over nothing, which Abby did often. She continued to browse for clues, mapping the distances between the pet store, hiking trail and lake. They were located within a twenty-mile radius.
When Brooke clapped her hands for attention, Abby glanced up, startled. Brooke and Leo had finished with the dishes. Nathan had just come back inside with his cell phone. Leo was sitting on the couch, disentangling the cord to his earbuds.
Im calling a family meeting, Brooke said.
Leo snorted at the announcement. Were not a family.
For the next four days, we are, she said, gesturing for Abby to join them. Bring it in, Mom.
Nathan sat down on the couch next to Leo. Abby took the space beside Nathan. Brookes assertion that they were a family, if only for a few days, made Abbys chest tighten with an unknown feeling. It was a warm sort of discomfort, like...longing.
She hazarded a glance at Nathan, whose throat worked as he swallowed. He wasnt immune to the lure of togetherness, either. He seemed to want to repair his relationship with Leo. Abby understood that desire; her life would be empty without Brooke.
Say goodbye to your cell phones, Brooke said. They arent going to work in the backcountry, anyway.
What about emergencies? Abby asked.
I have one with GPS, just in case. But Ill keep it turned off to save batteries.
Nathan set his phone on the coffee table. Fine.
I need my music, Leo said.
Dont you have another player?
Not with me.
Abby didnt want to give up her phone, either. She was ten times as attached to it as her makeup case. Her cell phone was her crutch, her comfort, her only connection to civilization. The last time shed left it behind, shed become physically ill. Abby still wasnt sure if shed been seasick from kayaking or if crossing open water had triggered an anxiety attack.
Ill sing you songs by the campfire, Brooke said, fluttering her lashes.
Right, Leo scoffed, but he couldnt resist her flirty smile. Shaking his head, he placed his phone on the table.
Abby had no choice but to follow suit. Nathan was studying her with interest. Stomach churning, she surrendered her cell phone to Brooke. She felt like a police officer being divested of her badge and weapon.
Okay, Brooke said, clasping her hands together. I want everyone to wear a hat and drink lots of water during the hike. Its going to be hot out there. I know were all at different fitness levels so Ill try not to go too fast. Dont be afraid to ask for a break, Mom. Tomorrow will be more difficult if you overexert yourself today.
Leo squinted as if her sunny enthusiasm hurt his eyes.
Any questions? Brooke asked.
I have one, Leo said. How much coffee did you drink this morning?
None, smart-ass. I stay away from mood-altering substances.
You should try that, Nathan said to Leo.
Although Leo and Brooke had been joking around, Nathans comment was dead serious. And it didnt go over well.
Fuck you, Leo said, rising from the couch. Dont tell me what to do.
Nathan rubbed a hand over his mouth, not responding to the provocation. He seemed perplexed by Leos attitude. Maybe it hadnt occurred to Nathan that criticizing his son in front of Abby and Brooke would embarrass him.
Abby felt bad for both of them. Nathan obviously had no idea how to deal with Leo, and she couldnt blame Leo for acting out. He was a troubled kid from a broken home. His father was a recovering alcoholic, his stepfather was a jerk and his mother had probably faked a sprained ankle to avoid conflict.
Chill out, Leo, Brooke said. At least your dad is here, making an effort. Mine didnt even bother to show up.
Abby watched a mixture of emotions cross over Leos face. He didnt want to spend time with Nathan. She suspected that he was being forced to by his mother. Otherwise, hed leave. Brooke was the only highlight of the trip, but he didnt have a chance with her because of their family connection.
At least, Abby hoped he didnt have a chance. She assumed Brooke was too smart to get involved with her stepbrother.
Leos gaze moved from Brooke to Abby. Excuse my language, he mumbled.
Dont worry about it, Abby said, standing.
She says fuck all the time, Brooke added.
Leo looked impressed. She does?
Abby glanced at Nathan, feeling her cheeks heat. His lips quirked with amusement. Again, she noted how handsome he was. She admired his concern for Leo, and she liked what she saw in his dark eyes.
Oh sure, Brooke lied. Its her favorite word. Right, Mom?
Right.
Nathan studied Abbys mouth for several seconds, his interest clear. She bit her tongue to keep from giggling, aware that Brooke and Leo were watching them. Brooke appeared pleased. Leos brow furrowed, as if he couldnt fathom his fathers appeal to women even while witnessing him in action.
Are we ready? Abby asked.
They picked up their backpacks and headed out the door. The trailhead was only a short walk from the cabin. It was cool and overcast now, but the sky would clear and the clouds would give way to relentless sunshine soon enough. A fine mist coated her face, lending truth to Brookes claim that hiking and makeup didnt mix. The Pacific Crest Trail, which ran from the Mexican border all the way to Canada, was marked with a triangle-shaped sign depicting a green pine tree and white mountains.
Hang on, Brooke said. I want to take a picture.
Abby, Leo and Nathan stood in front of the signpost while Brooke propped her cell phone on a nearby boulder. She set the timer and hurried to join them. Instead of posing by Abby, she put her arm around Leo.
After the red light flashed, Brooke retrieved her phone from the rock. Abby studied the photo, which had turned out okay even though Brooke was the only one smiling. They looked like a family. The dark forest in the background added a hint of intrigue, as if they were about to embark on a great adventure.
CHAPTER FOUR
NATHAN SPENT THE NEXT few hours enjoying the climb.
Brooke took the lead and insisted on a certain hiking order. She passed Leo the map, appointing him as navigator. Abby followed in third place and Nathan brought up the rear, which gave him a fantastic view of her ass. He wasnt sure if Brooke had considered this benefit beforehand, but Nathan had no complaints.
He liked Abby. She cut to the chase and asked frank questions. He enjoyed watching her expressions as she spoke, and even when she was quiet. He liked the way she was put together, from her long legs to her freckled shoulders and everything in between.
He took a drink of cool water from his pack, trying to clear his head. This trip was about reconnecting with his son, not checking out Abby. Making progress with Leo might score him some points with her, but Nathan didnt need the incentive. He cared too much about Leo to throw away this opportunity to make amends. His game with women was rusty anyway, and Leo had made it clear that he resented the intrusion. Leo didnt want Nathan here, ingratiating himself with Abby and Brooke.
This was Leos territory.
Leo couldnt have Brooke. He certainly wasnt going to sit by while Nathan put the moves on her mother.
Fine. Nathan could control himself. Hed been celibate for most of the past three years, so he was no stranger to going without sex. Keeping his distance from Abby shouldnt be difficult. Maybe she could give him some parenting advice. Shed hit a home run with Brooke.
Abby had been kind to Leo, as well. Nathan had noticed that, and he was glad Leo had been polite in return. Lydia had raised their son to respect women. Nathan couldnt take any credit for that aspect of Leos upbringing, unless Nathans poor treatment of Lydia had encouraged Leo to be a better man.
As a father, Nathan had made a lot of mistakes. Hed been gone most of the time. The first few years had been tough. Theyd traveled to many of his away games as a family, but Lydia had hated being on the road with a baby. By the time Leo was in elementary school, Nathan had become a top-ranked major league player. He was in high demand for endorsement deals and charity events. His relationship with Lydia had been solid. She didnt love his career focus, but she enjoyed the perks of being a successful athletes wife.
Then he got injured, and everything fell apart. Although his shoulder had healed quickly, he didnt have the same snap to his release or power in his swing. He worked out like crazy, pushing himself harder than ever, but it was no use. His body had too much wear and tear. He was washed up at age thirty.