The second-best thing would’ve been talking Cadence out of listing photos altogether. But that was still a work in progress. Though she had thirty days to sign the addendum of intent with her sisters as to what they planned to do with the lodge, he suspected her signature would be given by Sunday. The fate of Rilee’s first year of college rested in that decision.
He’d gotten a letter just this morning with a request for tuition payment for the first semester. Seeing that large figure underAmount Duecaused it all to sink in. He’d been saving what little he could for years, but there still wasn’t enough in his bank account to cover the first year. Funds from life insurance policies had gone for a new well, replaced septic, flood damage repairs insurance wouldn’t cover. One major thing after another, causing Rilee’s college fund to dwindle over time.
At the front door, he kicked off his boots, leaving them outside on the deck. He’d stepped in mud on one of Tanya’s shoulder-shots and didn’t want to track it inside. Faint noises carried from down a hallway, but otherwise the house felt empty.
Really, he should gather Rilee and head back to their cabin. The water was running just fine, thanks to a simple flip of a switch. But he found himself yearning to prolong his stay. Was there anything he could do to convince Cadence to ask them to stay longer?Probably better not press my luck.
“There you guys are.” He found the two women sprawled out on opposite ends of the L-shaped sofa in the den, heads on pillows, and a criminal investigation show playing on TV. Riggs was stretched out on the floor between them, all fours in the air.
Cadence let out a yawn as she sat up. “You guys all done?”
Rilee chimed in, “Or is Tanya staying for dinner too?”
“I’m sorry, guys. I didn’t know she was going to take over the entire afternoon.” He said this mostly to Cadence. Ford felt robbed of time he already didn’t have enough of. He hoped the investment was worth it. One look at Tanya’s photos should make selling this place the hardest decision Cadence ever made. Though Tanya was easiest handled in doses, she was the most sought-after photographer in Southeastern Alaska.
“I’m sorry we dipped out.” Cadence gave him a sheepish smile, but mischievousness danced in it too. “We were just . . .”
“Cadence helped me finish my paper.”
“At least your homework got done.” Ford scrubbed his hand along his right shoulder. He wasn’t used to having a person sitting up there, and it ached. There’d probably be knots for days. “I’m going to take a walk down the trail to the ridge lookout point. Trim any stray branches.” He’d forgotten all about it until Tanya was getting in her car. No way would he ask her to come back, though.
“Sounds fun.” Rilee lifted the remote and added a couple notches to the volume.
“Dinner’s leftovers unless you two ladies have something better planned.” He waited, but neither spoke up. “That’s what I figured. Riggs, did you want to come?”
The dog shimmied off his back, but only managed to roll onto his side with a grumble. Pitiful eyes stared back at Ford. Sometimes he was all about adventure. Other times, naps were king.
Ford shook his head in defeat. “I’ll be back.”
“Wait,” Cadence said. “I’ll come. I haven’t been up there since I came back.”
His heart shouldn’t have soared quite so much at that declaration, but he’d be lying if he said that wasn’t what he’d hoped for all day long. No matter how much he told himself not to get attached, it seemed his heart didn’t feel like listening. If he wasn’t careful, he might just fall for Cadence Whitmore. “It’s a short trail.”
“I remember.” She folded the lap blanket she’d used earlier and set it on the couch before following out the back door they rarely used. It was more for guests who wanted some quiet time on the patio to admire the mountains in the background or to play a round of horseshoes. Ford was back there enough, though, that he had a spare pair of work boots by the door.
“I’m really sorry Tanya stayed so long,” he mentioned again, because he felt he had to apologize. “She means well.”
“I think someone has a crush on you.” A twinkle danced in her eyes.
He didn’t respond to that because it was true. They both knew it. Instead, he grabbed a pair of garden sheers from the shed and led the way into the woods. “There hasn’t been a bear up here in a while, but I would make extra noise just in case. You know, feel free to snap twigs.”
“Bears?”
“Well, we are on the water, Cadence. You know there are bears.” He stopped at the trailhead. “You’re not scared, are you?”
“No.” She shoved at his arm and pushed him forward. “Today is not the day a Whitmore gets eaten by a bear. It was in my horoscope.”
He laughed, happy they could both find humor after such a long day. “We don’t see them much, unless you get a little farther outside of town.” He trimmed a stray branch that hung down at eye level. “But the black bears like to wander into town sometimes and raid trash cans.”
“Definitely don’t have to worry aboutthatin Kansas.”
The lodge’s lookout point was less than a couple hundred yards from the trailhead in the backyard. The path twisted and turned in drastic angles to get there, leaving plenty of branches to be trimmed since it hadn’t been done yet this year. Cadence helped by breaking off dead branches with her hands.
“I forgot all about this trail,” said Cadence, gazing straight up. The birch trees along this path were some of the oldest and tallest in town. “I forgot about a lot.” She said the last under her breath, probably not aware that Ford heard it.
“Don’t tell me you forgot about this view, though.” They entered the clearing, stepping up to the single best view in all of Sunset Ridge. It offered everything—mountains, blue water, boats in the harbor, houses scattered amidst the trees, and the best view of the sunset the town offered. “Too bad the sun doesn’t go down until almost eleven-thirty these days,” he said.
“I might have to sneak back and check it out.” Cadence took slow steps to the wooden fence that warned of the sharp drop below. Falling down that steep, rocky slope would not end well for anyone, man or beast alike.
