I dont know.
Are we having a midlife crisis, Nick?
Bite your tongue. Im not ready for middle age. Besides, I still have two weeks left on vacation to think about it.
Im not taking up the rest of your two weeks. Maybe the rest of today
Coopers Corner, he said suddenly. Its where I want to take you.
Where?
Its a couple of hours north of here, not too far. I have a couple of cousins there. Theyre getting ready to open a bed-and-breakfast.
She frowned. I was thinking a lot farther away than that.
Yeah, he knew that, but he didnt like the thought of her far away, possibly in another state, completely on her own with no one to turn to.
She bit her lip and considered. But I do want to go see the woman I got Sadie from. She lives north, too.
Okay, so we stay in Coopers Corner while you do that.
And then Ill go.
And then, from there, shed go. God, how was he supposed to let her go? Danielle He glanced over before taking his gaze back to the road. My cousin Maureen, youll meet her. She used to be a cop.
She stiffened. Nick-
Shes good, Danielle.
No. No cops. Promise you wont tell her.
Danielle-
Promise, Nick.
Fine. I wont tell her until I have to.
You wont have to.
A muscle in his jaw ticked. Hed never had such an obviously stress-related problem before.
Soon hed be back to the job. Traveling. Hard news.
And no facial tics.
So why wasnt he happy?
12
COOPERS CORNER WAS nestled in the heart of the rolling hills of the North Berkshires. Just as Nick promised, it was a picturesque rural village, classic New England in character. One main street, lined with tiny, historic shops, mom-and-pop stores and an ice-cream parlor on the corner.
Mayberry, USA, Danielle said with a smile as they drove through.
Just dont let the locals hear you say that, Nick warned, giving her a return smile that made her insides turn to mush. They think theyre originals.
Character and charm abounded in the town. The shady old streets were lined with wide, heavy trees that looked as though theyd been there for generations. The sidewalks were rough and bumpy from the gnarled roots of the trees and the antique store-fronts were all painted with once bright colors long since faded from exposure. The sun gave everything a glow, and for a moment, Danielles breath caught as she felt that glow reach all the way to the depths of her soul.
She felt peaceful here. Safe.
But that was silly, she knew nothing about this town, nothing about the people, nothing at all except she wasnt nearly far enough away from her humble beginnings to suit her.
They drove through Coopers Corner and up a hill, turning into a long, curved driveway where a hanging wood sign beckoned them to Twin Oaks Bed-and-Breakfast.
This is it, Nick said, taking the last corner.
Ahead lay the inn; a renovated farmhouse, huge and sprawling, surrounded by a magnificent green, hilly setting overlooking the sleepy village below. Danielle just looked at it, her heart in her throat. This was a place to get connected, get grounded. Recharge her batteries. Its beautiful, she whispered, feeling silly for being so moved.
My great-uncle, Warren Cooper, built it in 1875. Quite a legacy, these 160 acres.
Theyd decided to leave Sadie in the truck until the introductions were over. Getting out, Nick shook his head in wonder, staring up at the house. I cant believe all theyve done to it since I last saw it. Its amazing. You should have seen how rundown the property was just six months ago.
Its Comfy, was all she could think.
Yeah. He slipped his hand in hers, just as the front door opened. A woman came out, shading her eyes with her hand to see them better.
Danielles heart pounded, her pulse raced. This was it. The beginning of the end. From here shed go see Laura Lyn, Sadies breeder, and then it would be over.
Nick would leave.
Shed told herself shed wanted him to, but shed lied. Watching him walk away was going to be the most difficult thing shed ever done.
Nick! The woman cried, and, laughing aloud, she ran down the steps and threw herself at him. She was in her early thirties, wearing jeans and a T-shirt, and covered in dried paint of various colors. Tell me you brought news of civilization, real civilization.
I told you after a week in the boondocks youd go crazy, Nick said, hugging her. But admit it, you love it here.
She pulled back and grinned. I love it here.
So youre good?
Im better than good. She nodded politely at Danielle. Hello.
Maureen, Nick said, reaching to pull Danielle closer. This is Danielle. My
When he didnt finish, Danielle looked at him.
He was looking at her with an unreadable expression that suddenly scared her. Was he going to tell Maureen the truth after hed promised he wouldnt? No, she didnt really believe that, not for a second, but she did believe there was something wrong because he was looking at her as if he was really, really sorry, and she didnt understand.
Shes my fiancée, Nick said, and Danielle gasped.
He simply grinned as if her reaction was perfectly normal. Shes still not used to hearing it, though. Were here in the Berkshires to surprise her relatives.
With a squeal, Maureen hugged him tight again. Over his cousins head, Nick looked right at Danielle, who was so shocked a light breeze could have knocked her on her butt.
Fiancée? she mouthed.
I know I didnt call ahead, Nick said to Maureen, eyes locked on Danielle. We know youre not really quite ready for guests and weve got a big dog, but we were hoping-
Of course you can stay here. She pulled back to kiss him full on the mouth. Ill just go get a room ready! Its still a bit of a mess inside, painting and such, and there are no services yet-
No problem, Nick assured her. We dont need much.
Oh, Nick! This is so exciting! I cant wait to tell everyone-
About that, Nick said quickly, grabbing her before she could run off. Were sort of hoping to keep it a secret, just for a little bit longer.
Her smile fell. A secret?
Please?
Really?
Really.
She let out a long sigh and gave in. For you, okay. Just dont make me keep it for long because this is just too good. Engaged! Imagine that. Without warning, she turned and hugged Danielle. I dont know how you caught him, honey, but Im so glad.
Well. Danielle stood there, feeling stupid, her arms fluttering uselessly behind Maureen for a moment before she awkwardly hugged her back.
Welcome to the family! Maureen said with such warmth Danielle was overcome with regret and guilt, which only multiplied when Maureen went inside.
Fiancée? she said to Nick in disbelief as they went to get Sadie out of the truck.
I couldnt figure out how to tell her the truth and keep her out of it. Shed want to help.
Oh.
And you dont want help.
Right. She needed to remember that.
It wont be for long.
She needed to remember that, too. Promising herself that she would, she locked her weak knees together, wrapped Sadies leash around her wrist and started forward.
DANIELLE MOVED to the window of the room she and Nick had been given and stared down at the steep, green rolling hills beyond, trying not to think.
One room, one bed.
Wondering how this had happened did her no good. Nick had happened to her. By now shed expected to be on her own, fighting panic, certainly, but well on her way to a new life that included no one and nothing but herself and Sadie.
But she hadnt shaken Nick. Hadnt been able to make herself do it, because hour by hour, minute by minute in his company, laughing, talking, runningit was all an experience shed never forget. With each passing second, she knew it would only be harder to walk away in the end.
And there would be an end, there was always an end.
But the look on his face as hed told Maureen they were going to get married She knew it had only been a story hed had to tell, but hed looked so fierce, so protective, soperfectly content to be claiming her as his.
An act, she reminded herself and her racing heart. An act, and a very good one. Maureen and Clint had been warm and kind. Maureen had insisted she think of herself at home here, offering to share meals, and even her car if Danielle needed it.
Which made her feel even worse. She was betraying their trust by not telling the truth, but she could not reveal the truth.
Im sorry about the room situation.
She didnt turn and look at him, the man whod rescued her more than once now, the man whod somehow wormed his way into her heart. I thought you were visiting with your cousins.
Just reinforcing the story.
Ah, yes. The story. She felt him come up right behind her, so close she could feel his breath in her hair.
Maureen knows me well, he said. She wouldnt have bought me not sleeping with my fiancée.
Danielle swiveled to face him, their bodies not touching, and yet heat shimmered between them just the same.
Did he feel it?
She looked into his dark green eyes, heated and full of affection, and thought maybe he did. She forced a smile. She sure did look surprised at the engagement part.
Nicks mouth twisted into a wry grin. Lets just say Ive never been one toinspire commitment.
Im sure theyll understand when you leave. Well tell them you have responsibilities to cover for your sisters, and that I-
Im not leaving, Danielle.
She swallowed hard. Of course youre leaving. You have to. Youll go back, and Ill just go up the highway to talk to the breeder I got Sadie from, and then Her mouth was so dry she couldnt have swallowed to save her life. And then Im on my way.
I want to go with you to the breeder.
Thats not necessary.
I know. He set one hand on the sill behind her, surrounding her with his body. Youre tough, he said gently. Resilient and strong. You can handle whatever comes your way, Ive seen that. I get that. His other hand slid into her hand. Im staying for me, not you. I want to know that it comes out all right for you in the end.
It rarely came out all right for her in the end, but this timethis time, she hoped, would be different.
God, please, let it be different.
He was looking at her in the way that made her insides tremble, and because she was weakening, she pushed away from him, nearly tripping over the sleeping Sadie.
How does she sleep like that? he asked in amazement, looking down at the dog, flat on her back, four paws straight up in the air, mouth open, emitting a soft snore every few seconds. He stepped over the comatose thing and moved through the country-casual room, past the four-poster pine bed to Danielle. Sowhen do we leave?