“When will it be fixed?” Rilee asked.
“I don’t know. I’ll have to take a look.” Later, Ford would tell her it would be a couple of days. But right now, it would raise suspicion if he didn’t at least promise to inspect the problem himself.
“Why don’t you come over to the lodge and shower?” Cadence offered Rilee. “I’m headed there now.”
Rilee’s gaze dropped to the grocery bag dangling in Ford’s grip. “What about dinner?”
“There’s a grill over there, too. You’re both welcome to use it—and the kitchen.”
Her genuine kindness and generosity reminded him of Patty. “You’re a lot like her, you know. Your great-aunt.” The compliment won him a sheepish smile. “You sure we won’t be imposing?”
“Of course not. It would be nice to have company. That place was always filled with noise.”
“I can repay you with steak,” Ford said, holding up the grocery bag in offering.
Rilee squeezed her arm, and said to her, “They’re really good!”
“Why don’t you two head over to the lodge. I’ll take a look at the well and see if I can figure out what’s going on.” It wasn’t Ford’s intention to make Rilee a pawn in all this, but if the two women formed a friendship as a result, it couldn’t hurt anything. At least, he hoped not. He dug a tool bag out of the back seat of the truck. “I’ll get your alternator replaced and be over after.”
“Bring Riggs,” Cadence said.
Ford smiled, probably a little too big at that. This was a business arrangement, but would it be so bad if after all was said and done, they ended up as friends? He rather liked people who fell for Riggs’ charms. “Couldn’t leave him behind without consequences.”
Cadence scanned the neighborhood three times before she moved. He didn’t have to ask why. She was looking for Ed.
“I think he’s lost interest in your car,” Ford said. “Probably figured out he couldn’t eat it and moved on to the Grants’ garden. He likes to raid their cabbage.”
“Cabbage.” Cadence repeated the word as though she might be mulling over its meaning. “Interesting.”
Ford waved them off on his way to the garage, where he pretended to inspect the well pump. To his knowledge, Rilee had never before been faced with this particular problem. If she had, she would’ve had the issue resolved before he returned from running his errands. But the switch remained in the off position.
Once they were out of sight, Ford got to work on the alternator, wondering what favor it would eventually cost him.
Chapter Five
Cadence
After pointing out the kitchen and showing Rilee which shower to use, Cadence roamed the lodge in search of cell service to see how many work emails she’d missed.No Wi-Fi, Aunt Patty?She’d never had this problem when she was a kid, but back then, the Internet was of no significance. Just her imagination and the occasional good book.
It made her yearn for simpler days. Days without deadlines and panicked clients and demanding bosses. “It’ll all be worth it,” Cadence said to herself. “It will.”
Anywhere on the main level seemed to be a bust, unless you had a local service provider, apparently. Rilee didn’t have any issues with her texts going through—or receiving any if the glow on her face at her responses said anything.
The pair had met at the cabins when Cadence discovered Rilee frantically knocking on her door. Cadence nearly had a heart attack, thinking there was some emergency. An image of Ed picking up her car with his antlers had flashed through her mind on the way to answer.
“Do you have running water?” the girl had asked.
“Last I checked.”
“I’m Rilee. From next door. Our water isn’t working.”
Before she could ask if Rilee needed to use her sink or anything else, Ford’s truck came barreling down the driveway.
And, well, that left Cadence here at the lodge, wandering the building in search of a signal while Rilee showered for whatever plans she had tonight that she didn’t want to share with her brother. Though Cadence didn’t know her, she didn’t have to guess whether they involved a boy.
The moment Cadence stepped into the master bedroom, tones sounded like artillery fire as a barrage of emails and texts came through. “Should’ve known it’d work up here,” she mumbled, plopping down onto the thick mattress. The cushy bed enveloped her in the most comfortable greeting, and her phone dropped out of her hand as she let herself fall back on what had to be a pillow top.
Just five minutes.
