Page 14 of Love Never Happens with your Brother’s Best Friend

“Yep. Although, it’s not work really. I just help out.”

For a split second, the green of the trees and grass adopts a strange otherworldly brightness as lightning briefly illuminates the grey-soaked landscape with a shot of color. Thunder snaps at its heels. Brodie expertly drives on through coursing surface water. We don’t talk for a while.

Then Brodie says, without losing focus, “Your folks are the best, aren’t they?”

“Yes. Yes, they are. They’re about the most giving and accepting people I’ve ever met.” I stare at Brodie’s handsome profile. “I would never forgive anyone who tried to take advantage of them.”

“Me neither.” Brodie’s eyes are on the road, confidently driving on.

“Well, that’s good to know.” I watch the diagonal slant of water running down the window beside me. “They always believe in the good in people.”

“That’s right.” Brodie glances my way. “Me too.”

“And if I thought that a person was dishonest in any way,” I say with more force than necessary. “I would surely resort to violence and make that person, or persons, pay.”

“Well,” Brodie says with mock alarm. One hand releases the steering wheel and covers his heart. “I shall always be careful to be as honest and trustworthy as I can be.”

“Good.” I snarl. “Make sure that you are, or…”

I don’t finish my sentence and there’s a pause in conversation. We both stare straight ahead as Brodie’s Dodge makes a turn onto the town’s main road. A car passes coming the other way. Brodie steers down the road to the café.

“You don’t believe me, do you, Rita.”

“Don’t believe you about what, Brodie?”

“That story in the news. The one about the senator’s daughter. The reason why I’m back here in Oak River.”

“I haven’t made my mind up about that yet.”

Brodie shakes his head. “I thought you knew me.”

“I thought I did too. But then…” I don’t know exactly the point I’m trying to make, so I leave the thought unfinished.

Brodie pulls to a stop outside the café. I reach for my keys and prepare to jump across puddles to the side door up to my apartment.

“Rita?”

“Brodie.”

“I hope to see you when I get back from hiking.” I’m about to open the car door but Brodie’s words instantly halt my exit. “Let’s hang out... If you have time.”

“Wait a minute.” I let go of the door handle and turn to face him. “Hiking? Where?”

“Tomorrow. With Dylan. He has a group he’s taking out camping for a couple of nights and I’m joining in. Should be fun if it stops raining.” Brodie leans forward to look up at the sky through the windshield.

I’m stunned. “Is that right?” I shake my head in disbelief. “When was this decided?”

“Is there a problem?” Brodie smiles at me warmly. His soft brown eyes questioning. “Dylan suggested I come along, just now, tonight when we were clearing up after dinner.”

“Oh. Did he? Hilarious.”

“Is it?”

“I’m the other trail guide.” I open the car door and get ready to jump out. “So, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow. Bright and early. Unless it keeps raining, which it might. Storms are unpredictable. So, maybe the trip will be canceled. Sometimes that’s what happens.”

The rain eases up as if someone has turned off a tap in the sky.

“Hah, look at that. Must be a good omen. And, um, Dylan didn’t tell me that you are coming too.” Brodie leans over giving me a clear opportunity to kiss him, which I ignore on principle. “Well, Rita. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

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