Page 29 of Silent Partner (Pine Falls 3)

With my wounded pride, I headed slowly back down the hill. My legs felt like they were being attacked by thousands of needles. I was shaking uncontrollably, longing to be warm.

About halfway down the trail, I heard my name being called by the voice. That saving voice. For a brief, beautiful second, I thought maybe I was just having a nightmare and his voice would make sure I woke up like it always did. That soon I would find myself in my warm bed, not on the verge of bankruptcy and losing my restaurant. Then reality hit me, and I realized the voice was real and I had been busted on private property. Could my day get any better?

I wanted to crawl under the large boulder to my left and never come out. Not only was I doing something illegal, but I was a hot mess. There was no hiding the puffy eyes, tearstained cheeks, and my matted-down hair from sweating so profusely.

The voice got closer and closer, making my heart race faster than it already had been. I was headed for a heart attack at this rate. Maybe that wouldn’t be a bad thing.

“Kinsley,” Brant shouted. “Are you up here?”

I could hear the worry in his voice, so I shouted back, “I’m here.” I really wished I wasn’t. What were the odds that he would choose to take a run now? Should he even be running? That was the better question. It couldn’t be good for his current state of health. Whatever that state was exactly. Knowing him, though, he would fight to live as normally as possible, even if he were receiving treatments.

I came around a switchback to find Brant pushing himself hard up the incline. Of course, he was properly dressed for the weather in his Sprint Hybrid jacket, and I was sure he was wearing a compression base layer under his athletic pants. And, lucky for him, he had gloves on and a fleece headband to protect his ears. Meanwhile, my ears and fingers were numb.

Brant was to me in no time. Relief washed over his face until he got a good look at me. “What are you doing up here?” he asked through labored breathing.

“I’m sorry. I know I should have asked your permission. It’s just . . . well . . . never mind. I’m leaving,” I stuttered out. I was shivering so badly.

Brant unzipped his jacket. “There’s no need to apologize.” He shimmied out of his coat and wrapped me up in it before I could decline the offer. “You look about done for. What’s wrong?”

I should have given his jacket back immediately, but the warmth I so desperately craved engulfed me. And his scent. It was reminiscent of pulling a blanket out of the dryer with that laundry-fresh smell. All I wanted to do was wrap myself in it and feel safe and secure. But there was no safe place for me. Especially with Brant.

That thought had me taking off his jacket and handing it back to him. “Thank you. I have to go.”

He placed it right back on me. “You’re going to freeze to death out here.” He held the jacket closed so I wouldn’t remove it, all while searching my eyes. “Kinsley,” he whispered, “tell me what’s wrong.”

For a moment, all I could do was get lost in his imploring eyes. Eyes that had my heart saying, Yes, yes, you should tell him. Thankfully, my head kicked in before my mouth betrayed me. Or maybe it wasn’t a good thing. “I have a cat.” How many times was I going to tell him that? I was such an idiot. My cheeks began to burn.

He chuckled. “How is Oscar?”

“He’s fine.” I pulled away from Brant and started walking down the trail with only a shred of dignity left.

Brant followed me. “At least tell me that no one chased you up here or hurt you.”

“It’s nothing like that.” I was quick to answer.

He sighed in relief.

“Honestly, I’m so sorry I trespassed. I just needed a place to run.”

He gave me a sad smile. “Believe me, I understand. And you are welcome to use this trail anytime you want.”

“Thank you, but I’ll probably be moving soon,” I said before thinking. He had me so flustered. Not that it wasn’t true, but he didn’t need to know that. That was something I should tell my family first. It was the only solution I had come up with while running. It wasn’t the most desirable option—I hated the thought of leaving my family—but maybe I needed a fresh start. And I’d had a few job offers over the last couple of years I could follow up on.

He came to a screeching stop, looking a bit shell shocked. “You’re leaving?”

I nodded and kept on walking.

“Why?” He sounded out of breath.

---