He looked wary for a moment, but then it seemed to pass. She remembered then that hed never had a father. Maybe things hadnt been so sunny, growing up illegitimate in a small town.
I dont have any siblings, either, he said. We lived with my grandmother for a time, but mostly its been just Mom and me. She always made everything an adventure. She was like a kid herself, sometimes. Then there was Bert-he kind of unofficially adopted me. Hes the one who taught me all the outdoors stuff.
So while I was running wild on the sidewalks of New York, you were running wild in the countryside.
Pretty much. Linhart is a good place for a kid. Everybody knows everybody and we all watch out for each other.
They fell silent for a while. Sydney stared up at the timber ceiling. Who built this cabin?
Berts grandfather, or maybe great-grandfather, Victor Klausen.
Wouldnt that make him your great-grandfather, too? Sydney asked. Since you two are cousins and all.
Im related on his mothers side. Were only distant cousins.
So you knew all along I wouldnt find anything about the Kleins here.
I really didnt know what all was here, he said uneasily.
Youre really not a very good liar. But right now, Im going to choose not to pursue the reasons why you worked so hard to get rid of me. Youre stuck with me now, pal.
Its not that big of a hardship.
There he was, flirting again. So, about the cabin. How old is it?
At least a hundred years. It was all done by hand. Can you imagine cutting those trees down with a hand saw, working each log, fitting them together so exactly? You dont see that kind of craftsmanship anymore. Im trying to keep the place in good repair for Bert. He doesnt come up here often anymore.
Sydney imagined the hike would be a bit rigorous for a man Berts age. If he came here at all, it was testament to his health.
She leaned back against the pillows and closed her eyes, thinking shed rest just for a moment.
The next thing she knew, it was dark outside and a wonderful smell was drifting through the cabin. Her ankle had awakened her; apparently the Tylenol had worn off.
She sat up and rubbed her eyes. That was when she realized Russ had tucked the afghan around her and added a third blanket, a solid-blue woolly thing. But the cabin was also toasty warm and Russ was bustling around working at something on the cook top of the woodstove, the source of the heavenly smell.
A man who could cook. Surely whatever hed concocted wasnt out of a can. The closest thing to a man who could cook among her New York friends was one who could get them dinner reservations at the latest trendy restaurant.
She found her purse and a couple more painkillers. Something stronger would have been welcome, but the over-the-counter stuff at least took the edge off her discomfort.
She chanced a look at her ankle. The swelling had gone down some, but the Technicolor special effects were even more dramatic. Shed never seen such creative bruising.
Youre awake, Russ said.
Mmm. Sorry I passed out on you like that. You must have been bored, sitting around with no one to talk to.
Im never bored up here. Theres always something to do-hiking, fishing or just sitting outside listening to the wind in the trees. Even when the weathers bad, like today, there are always repairs and improvements to make on the cabin. Just keeping it clean takes time. The place gets dusty even when no one is here.
Even better. A man who wasnt afraid of a little housework. More and more she was beginning to see that Russ was a breed apart.
What are you cooking?
Fried potatoes with onion.
Thats what were having for dinner? Not that she was complaining. After her previous few meals, just about anything sounded insanely delicious.
Even better. A man who wasnt afraid of a little housework. More and more she was beginning to see that Russ was a breed apart.
What are you cooking?
Fried potatoes with onion.
Thats what were having for dinner? Not that she was complaining. After her previous few meals, just about anything sounded insanely delicious.
Ill heat up some chili, too.
Where did the potatoes and onions come from?
There were a few Idahos in the bin under the counter. They keep a pretty long time in the cool and dark. The onions I picked earlier today, on the way up here. Theyre wild onions, growing along the side of the trail, and I figured the freeze would kill them so I might as well harvest a few. He flipped the potatoes with the skill of someone who knew how to use a skillet and spatula.
We can have canned fruit for dessert, he continued. Pineapples or peaches, your choice.
Wait a minute. How can you tell whats in the cans? The labels are missing.
The contents are written on the bottoms with a Magic Marker. We had a flood at the store that washed the labels off a few cases of canned goods. We were able to identify the cans by the cartons, but we couldnt sell them. So we bring them up here or eat them at home.
You might have told me to look on the bottoms of the cans, she huffed. You wouldnt believe the nauseating meals I ate-cold.
Russ laughed, but then quickly sobered. Im sorry. I should have taken more time to prepare you for an overnight stay here. I had no idea you wouldnt know how to light the stove. Its pretty much like a fireplace or a campfire.
My fireplace at home is electric and Ive never been camping in my life.
Never? Not even on a Girl Guide overnight?
Never.
That is the saddest case Ive ever heard.
Have you ever been to Macys during a clearance sale?
What? No. What does that have to do with anything?
That is the saddest thing Ive ever heard. Our lifestyles are different. That doesnt mean yours is better than mine. I happen to prefer bricks and concrete to trees and dirt.
Touché. He flipped the potatoes onto a plate, then set about heating up the chili. She noticed he opened the can a lot more easily than she had.
I just dont understand why people would deliberately make themselves uncomfortable, she said. Hike up a mountain into the godforsaken boonies so they can sit in a tiny cabin with no central heat and air, no TV, no phone and substandard food.
And I dont understand why people would choose to commute through hours of rush-hour traffic, breathe polluted air and never have a moments silence.
Okay, maybe he had a point. Although she walked when she could, her job required that she spend a lot of time in her car, cursing the traffic, the smell of car exhaust and the noise.
I guess well just have to agree to disagree about this, she said.
Fine with me, he said amiably, but with the attitude of someone who secretly knew he was right.
When the chili was hot, Russ poured it into thick ceramic bowls. Do you want to eat at the table or should I rig up a tray for you?
I can come to the table, she said, not wanting to be treated like an invalid.
After hed set their dinner and some dishes on the rough plank table, Russ helped Sydney to one of the ladder-back chairs. She still couldnt put any weight on her left foot, but using a carved walking stick Russ had found and leaning heavily on him, she managed. Russ brought a small pillow from the sofa and propped her leg up on a second chair.
Youre being so nice, she said. I feel really foolish, injuring myself and forcing you to be stranded with me, cooking for me
Its no big deal, he said gruffly. I told you I like spending time up here and Bert can handle the store for a couple of days. Its not like I have many clients this time of year.
What about the dog?
Bert will take care of Nero, too.
Well, this smells really good. She took a bite of the chili. It was pretty tasty-shed always liked chili, even the kind that came out of a can.
Okay for substandard fare? Not too hot?
I didnt mean this was substandard, she said, wishing she hadnt been so critical of this place earlier. I was referring to the other meals I ate here. This is good chili, nice and spicy.
Thats one thing we have in common. I love spicy food, the hotter the better.
Well, youd be a mighty strange Texan if you didnt like hot food. Arent you native Texans born with hot sauce running through your veins instead of normal blood?
Oh, but I wasnt born in Texas. I spent the first- He abruptly cut himself off, the look of panic in his eyes unmistakable.
RUSS COULD NOT BELIEVE hed made such a hideous blunder. But subterfuge didnt come easily to him. Sydney was right that he was a bad liar. He was just too damn honest for his own good. Of course, hed decided it would be better to tell her the truth. But deciding and actually doing it were two different things. Hed wanted to pick the time.
Where were you born? Sydney asked innocently.
Um Until now, hed consoled himself with the fact he hadnt lied outright to her. But now he was either going to have to lie or she would know he was the Russ Klein she was looking for.
Russ? Cat got your tongue?
Lets just say Im not a native Texan. But my moms family is from Texas-right here in the Hill Country.
And you moved back here to be closer to them?
Yeah.
Where did you move from? I have noticed you dont talk like a Texan.
Hell. He was sunk. Even if he lied, she would probably know he was lying, which would only make things worse. He felt guilty enough about luring her up to this cabin under false pretenses and letting her injure herself. If he didnt come clean now, hed dig his hole even deeper-not that he wasnt already so deep hed need an elevator to get out of it.
Russ, are you going to tell me where you were born?
He blew out a breath, resigned. Nevada.
Las Vegas?
Yes.
Was your father Sammy Oberlin?
Unfortunately, yes.
Sydney went very still. Oh, my God. Oh, my God, youre him, youre really him. I knew my instincts were right about you. Then she paused, staring at him with an uncomprehending look on her face. Why did you lie to me?
Chapter Nine
I didnt exactly lie, he tried, but she was having none of it.
You knew I was looking for you and you did everything in your power to convince me I was on the wrong track, including letting me waste two days hiking up to this godforsaken place-
I know, I know. I shouldnt have done it. But if youd stayed in Linhart you eventually wouldve met someone who knew the truth. I had to find a way to get you out of town.