Page 5 of Guarded Secrets
“Then I’ll bake you a pie.”
“I told you I don’t want your gratitude.”
“And I said you have it anyway. The pie isn’t like a payment that diminishes the gratitude, it’s simply a way to say thank you.”
He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “Apple. I’m partial to apple pie.”
“Good, then I’ll make you an apple pie.”
In minutes they were pulling into the long driveway that led past her parents’ house to the little cottage in the back where she lived.
In years past there’d been tall pines in the courtyard between the two structures, but those had been cleared so the trees ringing the property were far enough back that there was a defensible space in case of a wildfire.
Keeley’d moved into the cottage the year before so she could help with her dad. Since then, she’d been making the commute up and down the mountain to Sacramento. Moving home meant she couldbe part of her dad’s care team, and of real help to her mom, instead of the few hours she’d been able to spare on weekends.
Alzheimer’s sucked, and early-onset Alzheimer’s sucked even more. She and her mom were giving Bruce Montaigne the best life they could, given his diagnosis, but there were days that were simply exhausting. Knowing her dad’s condition would only worsen was like having a dark cloud forever looming overhead.
Her parents had built the cottage when Keeley was a teenager when her grandmother had been widowed. Now Keeley was living there. With its little kitchen, living room, and beautiful bedroom/bathroom suite, she had her own space while still being close enough to help with her dad.
Owen parked in front of her single-car garage. The back door of the main house opened as Keeley stepped out of the Bronco, Owen exiting on his side. Even wearing a long parka thrown over slim-fitting sweats, Abigail Montaigne always looked put together and beautiful.
“Oh, Keeley, I’m so glad you’re safe.” She pulled her daughter into a tight hug.
“I wasn’t in any danger, Mom. But I’m glad to be home. Thanks for sending Owen.”
Abby turned to Owen. Keeley felt a pang when MisterI’m grumpy and love my solitudeHardesty not only returned the embrace, he went so far as to lay his cheek on Abby’s head and hold on as snowflakes swirled around them. Who’d have thought the guy could give such good hugs?
Owen had become friends with Keeley’s parents when she’d been living in Sacramento. During the early stage of her dad’s disease, he would often spend afternoons at Easy Money, drinking the one glass of beer he allowed himself while hanging out with his buddy, Ted Alvarez, and a couple other guys. They’d called themselves the Devil Dogs, given they’d all been in the Marine Corps, including Owen.
“Thank you for taking care of my girl, Owen.”
“Always.”
Always? Right.No point forgetting her mom’s request was what had sent Owen down the mountain looking for her.
The flicker of hope that his relief in finding her might’ve been some sort of reflection of romantic feelings were smothered by a heavy dose of reality.
See? Another step closer toward beating her tiny crush into submission.
***
Bzzzzz. Keeley groped on her nightstand, knocking her phone to the floor with a thud. It could stay there. She snuggled into her pillow. She loved her pillow. Nice, soft, fluffy. She started to drift again.
Bzzzzz. TheHey, you didn’t read your textreminder buzz. Yawning, she felt around on the floor until she found her phone, then dropped it again when the plugged-in charger cord pulled it out of her hand.
Picking it up, she managed to pull out the charger while simultaneously rolling out of bed onto the floor. Deciding she needed to open her eyes, she pushed herself up to a sitting position and squinted at the screen. “Unknown number.” Tapping and swiping, because apparently she couldn’t remember how to use her phone—god she needed coffee—she finally opened the message app.
Unknown Number: It’s Owen. Dealing with your car.
The events of the night before came crashing back, images of the wheel with its puddle of deflated rubber, desperately trying to get cell service, then Owen in all his broody gorgeousness stepping out of his Bronco, bringing with him the feeling that she was absolutely safe.
She rubbed her eyes. Her phone read seven a.m. Didn’t the man sleep? Trying to wake up, she tapped back a response.
Keeley: Oh! You don’t have to do that. I was going to call AAA and get a ride to meet the driver and have it towed to town.
She reread the text for grammar, considered adding a car emoji, but figured it would be wasted on Owen, then hit send. She added him to her contacts list.
McHunk: Got keys from Abby. I’ll deal with it.
