An Allegheny Homecoming Read online

  Wendy squirmed on the sofa. So that’s how it was going to be. People in this town had long memories. She was glad to hear the door open and close.

  “Ready to go?” Josh appeared in the doorway.

  Wendy jumped up. “Of course.” She turned back to her host. “Nice talking to you, Mr. Smith.”

  He nodded and followed them both to the door. He rested a hand on Josh’s shoulder. “Take care of yourself, son. You need anything else, just let me know. I’ll be up for a while.” Then he turned his gaze on Wendy, and she felt herself shrinking under his knowing eyes. “Miss Valentine, it’s been a pleasure. You take it easy on this young man, you hear?”

  When the door closed behind them, Josh shot her a look. “What was that about?”

  She shrugged and took his hand. “Who knows?”

  Thirty minutes later they pulled around to the back door of the Valentine home. Except for a light in the kitchen, the house was dark. Josh shut off the truck.

  “Do you have enough gas to get home, or will I find you at the end of the driveway tomorrow morning?” Wendy tugged at Josh’s coat, teasing.

  He reached for her hand and held it in a tight grip. “You’re funny, you know that?” He moved across the seat toward her.

  Her heart rate increased. She pressed her hands against his chest. “Are you sure you didn’t run out of gas on purpose?”

  Josh leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. When he pulled away, his voice was low. “I’ll never tell.” He held her in his arms, and they sat for a long moment in the darkness. She wondered if Josh was still planning on leaving.

  “I just had a great idea,” she said.

  Josh smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She liked it when he did that. “What’s that, Ms. Valentine?”

  “I spent Thanksgiving with your family. Why don’t you spend Christmas with mine?”

  Josh pulled further away. His eyes grew guarded.

  “I figured since both families are eccentric in their own ways, you’d be okay with that.” She waited, but he didn’t respond. “Is my family too weird for you?”

  Shaking his head, Josh dropped his chin to his chest. “Your family is great, Wendy. It’s me. You don’t want me at a family dinner. Believe me.”

  She searched his face. “That’s ridiculous, Josh, I do want—”

  And before she could utter another word he covered her mouth with his, and all thoughts of why he had again put up his guard left her head. Yet this kiss was different. This kiss had an air of desperation. She had heard about goodbye kisses. Looking into the face of the man she had met in the middle of a blizzard, she realized she was falling in love with him. She also came to another realization. This kiss had a message attached. This kiss said goodbye.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  JOSH WATCHED HIS mother roll out the bread dough, but his thoughts were on the evening before. The walk in the woods with Wendy. Holding her in his arms. He had lost his mind.

  “I’m closing the bakery.”

  His mother’s words pulled him from his memories. He must have misunderstood. “What did you say?”

  “Joe is buying Dr. Reed’s mansion. You can see the place from the back door of his shop, so it makes sense, and, of course, he’s keeping Tea for You open. He offered me the kitchen to bake in.” She flipped the dough, and a cloud of white flour enveloped her. “So I won’t need this space anymore.”

  “He’s staying in town?” She could have knocked him over with a feather. “Deb Gold won’t be happy losing your rent.”

  “She already has new occupants lined up.”

  “Mom, you promised you wouldn’t move fast. Your divorce just became final.”

  “Your father and I have been separated for a while, Josh. I’m tired of living in a storage room.” She punched the dough with her fist.

  “You’re moving in with him?” His voice rose at the end. He was worried for his mom.

  She paused, her knuckles pressing into the puffy white mixture. “He offered me the apartment above the garage.”

  Josh sat down heavily. At her mention of the garage, everything came flooding back. Sneaking Dr. Reed’s scotch, borrowing the car, the night on Last Chance Road when he thought he had hit a deer.

  “Josh, what’s the matter? You’re as white as the flour on this board.” She dropped the mound of dough in a large bowl and covered it with a towel. She set it aside and leaned back against the counter, arms crossed.

  Josh rose and walked over to the back door. Mister Cee was nowhere to be seen. He jerked when his mother’s hand gripped his shoulder and squeezed. “This arrangement with Joe...it’s strictly business. I got married when I was eighteen. I want to stand on my own two feet for a while.”

  “What about the mortgage fraud. Are you sure you can trust the man?”

  “He went back to Pittsburgh to close up his house and put it on the market. He had forgotten his mother used a voice-activated recorder in the music room. He and Vanessa were in that room when she warned him he was going down with her.”

  Josh was stunned at the news. “Can it be allowed as evidence in court if the person doesn’t know they’re being recorded?”

  “You forget. Joe was never charged. But the tape clears his name. Anyway, there’s no doubt she was setting him up to take the fall. He didn’t know anything about what she was up to. The bank even offered him his job back.”

  “And I suppose he refused.” Josh’s concerns were weakening.

  “He said he likes living in Bear Meadows. It’s a fresh start for him. Either way, he doesn’t want to live in Pittsburgh anymore.”

  “Well, that clinches it, then.” Josh bent down, and, grasping his mother by both shoulders, kissed her on the cheek. “Time for me to move on.”

  “Oh, no. Can’t you stay for Christmas?” She cupped his face. “Please, Josh?”

  He knew he should leave town. Another cabin called to him. The one in the mountains of Montana. “I’ll think about it, Mom. But no promises.”

  * * *

  “I’LL JUST OPERATE the camera.”

  Zipping up her boots, Wendy shot her sister a look. Outside, the sun peeked through heavy clouds. Snow had fallen overnight. “But surely you must have other things to do. What are Mom and Dad up to?”

  Katie grabbed her black wool coat and winked. “I’ll be quiet as a mouse.” Twenty minutes later Wendy sat on Vera Hershberger’s overstuffed couch and wished she had told her sister no. “Thanks for taking the time to see me again.”

  “Where were we when we left off last time, Wendy?” Vera asked, her gaze falling on the camera set up at one end of the living room. “Why don’t you come sit down, Katie?”

  Katie shook her head. She wore her honey-colored tresses loose today, making her look even younger than usual. “Just pretend I’m not even here.”

  Wendy bit the inside of her cheek. When had that ever happened? “We were talking about your interest in science and your trip last year.”

  Vera, clearly delighted, clapped her hands. “That’s right. It was a fabulous trip, all thanks to my students.”

  “Any favorites? Students, that is.”

  Vera leaned back in her chair, her eyes on the photos on the piano. “Oh, I suppose. But all the children had something special about them.”

  “Do you see them often?”

  “A lot of them leave the area and don’t get back too frequently. Now Josh, he first left eight years ago, I believe, because it was right after Hank’s accident that he graduated. He was supposed to go to college, but that didn’t work out so he joined the military. He had such promise. It’s always hard to see a good student not reach their potential.”

  “Which class—”

  “What happened to Hank?” Katie’s clear voice interr
upted.

  Irritation prickled her nerves. Wendy had wanted to ask that but didn’t feel comfortable about it, given her recent track record with interviews. Katie obviously had no problem asking the hard questions.

  Vera sat forward and directed her response to Katie. “Hank and I used to go for a walk after supper, almost every evening. We liked to keep in shape.” She glanced down at her figure and smoothed her shirt. She wore a sweatshirt with a red cardinal on a snow-covered holly bough. “We used to, I mean.” She grew silent. Wendy exchanged a glance with her sister, who mouthed sorry and motioned for her to continue.

  “So you and Hank were on a walk?” Wendy prompted.

  “That’s just it. We normally walked together, but I had papers to grade. By the time I told Hank I couldn’t go, it was later than usual. Darker too.” She looked down at her shirt again, running a finger over the snow. “So you might say the accident was my fault. He left the house, and at Last Chance Road, it was completely dark. And those trees along that road make things even darker.” She shook her head.

  Wendy sat back in alarm. “He was hit on Last Chance Road? That’s where I, where we, live.”

  “Yes, I know, but this was before your parents built their house. The only people living on that road was the family at Last Chance Farm. I’m not sure if anyone’s living on that property anymore.”

  Wendy was still processing the fact that the accident had happened so close to her home. She didn’t realize how much time had passed until she heard her sister ask the retired teacher the next logical question.

  “Who hit him?”

  Wendy glanced at her sister. Of course, the ultimate professional could continue the interview no matter what kind of revelation had come out. Then she looked at the woman.

  “We never found the driver. It was a hit-and-run,” Vera said.

  * * *

  “SHE LOOKS GOOD.” Hank wheeled slowly around the boat. His eyes reflected his excitement, and a smile stretched from ear to ear. He looked nothing like the man who had greeted Josh the day he brought over the sandwiches and cookies. “Never thought I’d see this finished. You did a good job, son.”

  Josh ran a hand over the glossy paint. “I wouldn’t have known what to do without your direction. So I’d say it was a team effort.”

  Hank stopped at the stern. “Maybe when spring comes you can put her in the water, see how she operates.”

  Which was the one thing he absolutely couldn’t do. He couldn’t stay in Bear Meadows until spring. He thought about the conversation with his mother. There was really no more reason to stay in town, Christmas or no. Wendy or no.

  The weight bench sat in the corner. Josh walked over and picked up a five-pound dumbbell. Then he carried it over to the man in the chair and placed it in Hank’s right hand. “Tell you what, Mr. H. I’ll see what I can do about getting the boat in the water if you try out some of these weights.” An empty promise, he knew. But if the man started working out, maybe he would keep going after Josh left.

  Hank closed his fingers around the weight and automatically flexed his arm. “Oh, so you’re bribing me, are ya? You must be taking direction from my wife, too.” He lowered and raised the weight a few times before dropping it into his lap. “But what’s the point?”

  Josh straightened. “What’s the point of anything, Hank? Maybe if you get strong enough, you can lift yourself in and out of the boat.”

  “Aw, I doubt it.” But Hank’s eyes as they moved over the hull and up to the wheelhouse brightened and the smile almost returned. He ran a finger along the red trim and took a deep breath. “Let’s go in the kitchen and see if we can find some snacks.”

  The sun glared off the new snow as they left the garage. The temperature had gone up at least ten degrees. The ramp was covered in wet snow. “Hold on, Hank, let me sweep off the ramp.” He got a broom from the porch, and when he finished, he went around to the back of the wheelchair to push Hank up the ramp. He heard the door open and the teacher’s greeting but his attention was on the chair as he helped Hank maneuver forward. When they were both safely on the porch, Josh finally looked up, expecting to see Hank’s wife. His heart stopped when he recognized the other women with Mrs. Hershberger.

  Katie Valentine held a video camera to her shoulder. Josh could see the green light, indicating the camera was filming. He turned away and looked out over the small yard. His breath came in short gasps.

  She knew. Wendy’s smart sister. The famous reporter.

  She knew.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  “I THOUGHT YOU liked the preppy type.” She and Katie were on their way back to their house. And they still hadn’t finished the interview. Once Hank returned from the garage, Vera had, with a shake of her head, indicated they would have to continue it later.

  “What makes you think I like him?”

  Katie chuckled. “I could light a fire from the sparks I’ve seen between you two. Although today he was acting kind of weird.”

  “Your imagination is getting away from you, sis. He didn’t stick around long enough for you to make any assumptions. Funny he didn’t come in the house, though.”

  “I think I spooked him. Most people want to be on television—” she poked her sister in the ribs “—unless they’ve got something to hide. How well do you know this guy?”

  “I know he’s a veteran. He was a medic in the army.”

  “A medic. Hmm. Something seems off about him. I’d be careful if I were you. Besides, didn’t Ms. King tell you to avoid entanglements?”

  Wendy no sooner pulled up to the back door than her father appeared. He motioned to them to hurry inside, raising his voice so they could hear him. “You’re just in time for cocktails, girls. We found a new recipe with bourbon and apple cider.”

  Wendy glanced across the seat to her sister. “Do you mind if I...”

  “You’re leaving me alone with these two?” Katie gave her a knowing smile. “Don’t be too long, okay?” She shut the car door behind her and said a few words to their father. With a wave and a smile for Wendy, her sister followed him into the kitchen.

  Just before the door closed, the black dog slipped through and wandered down the steps.

  Wendy sat behind the steering wheel. Josh’s odd behavior had her curiosity aroused. She opened the passenger door. “Come on, Rover. Maybe you can help me figure out what’s going on with Josh.”

  The dog climbed onto the seat just vacated by her sister. “Don’t tell anybody you rode in the front seat, okay?” In response the dog lay down and rested his chin on the console. She put the car in Drive and headed back down the drive to Last Chance Road.

  Wendy steered slowly around the frozen ruts in the lane leading to the cabin. Josh’s truck was parked in the usual spot. She turned off the car and sat there, wondering what to say. Finally, she opened the door, waited until the dog exited and then ran up to the porch. She knocked, but with the temperature dropping and knowing he was there, she entered the cabin, Rover right behind her. The fireplace and the hearth had been swept clean. The table and countertops were bare, except for the overturned coffeepot. And no sign of Josh.

  She walked over to the mantel. Even the matches were gone. She turned and looked up at the loft. A railing had been added. It extended down the stairs, which had also been finished. She walked slowly up the stairs. Her head had just cleared the landing, and she saw Josh kneeling by the window that looked out over the stream.

  “The railing looks nice.” When he didn’t respond, she continued until she stood on the top step. “What are you doing?”

  “What does it look like I’m doing?”

  The tone in his voice took her by surprise. “Uh, the cabin is clean, your duffel bag is packed. I’d say you’re getting ready to leave.”

  He turned from the window. The hurt look in his e
yes frightened her. “Such a smart girl.” He stood, but remained stooped over until he got past the rafters. “I tried to avoid you. But you just kept showing up in the oddest places. And you’re pretty, too.” He propped his hands on his hips. “You’re the total package, Ms. Valentine.” He gave her a sad grin before brushing past her and clomping down the stairs.

  When she saw he was headed for the open door, she hurried after him. “Are you upset my sister got you on film? I’m sorry, Josh, she does that all the time.” She caught up to him and reached for his arm. When he faced her, she recoiled at the fear she saw in him.

  “I knew I shouldn’t get involved with you. My bad. You brought in the big guns. I may not be as smart as you and your older sis, but I get the picture.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I confess. There, is that what you want to hear?” He slapped his face in mock horror. “Oh no, you forgot to set up your camera. Wait, maybe you have one of those hidden cameras. Where is it? In your lapel?”

  “Stop it, Josh.” She stepped back. She didn’t even recognize the man in front of her.

  Josh leaned down and whispered, “This is what you’re after, Miss Hotshot Reporter. I committed a crime eight years ago. A hit-and-run, never solved, until you and your older sis joined forces and came to town. Tell me, does your sister have a spot for you on her new show?”

  Josh’s words seemed to bounce around in her head like Ping-Pong balls. A hit-and-run? The only hit-and-run she knew about was... She lifted her hand to her mouth as realization dawned. “No, you couldn’t have. You were planning on becoming a physical therapist. You wanted to help people.”

  Josh bent down and ran a hand over Rover’s head, sending his tail wagging back and forth. “Goodbye, fella.” He looked up and held her gaze for just a moment before turning away. “Lock the door when you leave.”

  The truck door slammed, the engine roared to life and then the sound of wheels on gravel. And then nothing.

  She looked at the dog who stood in the doorway watching Josh leave. “I don’t understand, Rover. Why was he spending time with Hank if he was the one who put him in the wheelchair? He couldn’t be the one. He just can’t.” She walked over to the open door and stared across the lane to the creek flowing past. But then she remembered the times she’d tried to refill his glass and he always put his hand over the top.