It didn’t matter how many times he talked to someone, he never told them everything. He was always cleared.
It was all about getting back out there and on the job.
Where he could prove himself.
“Doesn’t sound like it helped much back then,” Ford said.
“Are you mad I came home and made all these changes?” he asked. “I’m not sure where you’re going with this.”
“We’re all happy to have you back, Clay. Never think otherwise. But we’d be happier if you were who you used to be.”
“It’s never going to happen. You’re not the same either. You know that.”
Ford nodded his head. “I’m not. I like to think I’m a better version of myself. At least in the past several months since Reenie returned to my life.”
“You were head over heels in love with her decades ago,” he said. “That’s different.”
“Maybe deep down you felt something more decades ago but never would let yourself admit it. Nothing should stop you now if she’s making the moves unless you’re afraid.”
“If one more person tells me I’m afraid I’m going to lose my shit.”
Ford stood up and finished his beer, then set it on the railing. “She’s got some balls on her for sure. That’s exactly what you need.”
15
TOO MUCH CONFUSION
Meredith drove onto the property Sunday morning.
She’d texted Clay that she was coming to get her things and would like to talk. He never replied.
The man could take stubborn to a new level.
She drove by the barn and didn’t see his truck. Not that she expected to. The cafe was open, but she didn’t stop and kept going further toward the mill.
It was closed today, but maybe he was working.
There were no vehicles there either, so she turned around and headed back.
When she passed the cafe again, she saw Callum outside waving to her.
“Hi,” she said, pulling up next to him. “I’m looking for Clay. He’s not answering my texts. I left my bag at his place yesterday when I went to change.”
“He’s down by the creek behind the house.”
“What?” she asked. She thought for a second and remembered it now.
When she and Gale were kids they’d gone down there to play. Walk around.
Throw rocks in the water, get their feet wet.
It was the best playground imaginable growing up on this property, even though her best friend hated it. She loved to come visit.
“He goes down there on his days off to relax,” Callum said. “I can take you back.”
“I remember where it is,” she said. “There is a path behind your house some, right?”
“He’s behind his,” Callum said. “Go behind it, walk past the shooting targets, then the apple trees and you’ll see it pretty clearly, a path he’d put into the woods to get back there.”
