“And I’m pissed because it’s downright disrespectful to do a runner after I got her back here for free, and add to that I washed puke off her, bought her clothes, and any number of other things, and this is the thanks I get!”
Tex’s hands shot up in the air as Newman snarled out the last word.
“Christ, Newman. I think that’s the first time I’ve seen you truly pissed off.”
“Whatever.”
He looked up and down the street again, but knew Hope wasn’t going to appear anytime soon. She’d probably already got on a bus out of town. They’d been to the depot, but no one was willing to say if she’d bought a ticket. Some shit about privacy that didn’t impress him.
“So can we go now?”
“I guess.” He wasn’t sure why he was so worked up about not finding Hope, but he was.
“You really are worried about her, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, but then she’s lived without anyone watching her back for years. Not sure why she can’t for a while longer.”
“And that’s just plain sad if you ask me.”
He fell in beside Tex as they headed for a cab that would take them to the helicopter.
“Her mother’s Militant, bud. Can’t imagine there was a lot of caring, supportive friends and family in her life growing up.”
Tex shuddered. “True that.”
“Thanks by the way, for the flight and pickup.”
“All good, bud. Now I want to hear about the black eye, the bar thing with this Hope, and why the hell you were washing puke off her and buying her clothes.”
They took off twenty minutes later, and Newman watched Brook disappear and wondered if Hope had left already. Wondered if he’d see her again anytime soon. Wondered where she’d end up next, and how she’d survive with no money, friends, or job prospects.
When I do catch up with you, Hope, you better run.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Lake Howling, one month later
Newmantook his coffee out to the seat he’d built on the edge of his property. Below was the lake, and beyond the mountain range. If he turned twenty-five degrees to the right, he’d see a forest of redwoods, and the rooftops that marked the town of Howling. It was bliss living here.
He’d had the place designed and built, and even helped when and where he could, and he loved it because it fed his soul. Hope would be pleased to hear him speak like that, but it was true. Here he got the peace he’d always craved.
His friends thought his life was a breeze, and for the most it had been. Except Newman carried a secret that he’d never told anyone. Sometimes the guilt choked him, but he’d learned to live with it.
Sipping his coffee, he looked at the house. Long and low, the front was glass and the materials natural, and the entire building looked like it had been there a lifetime. He’d wanted that. His house to be part of the landscape.
Fishing his cell phone out of his pocket as it started buzzing, he smiled as he read the caller ID.
“Yes, I’m hosting poker night, and no, I have the beer, so we’re good, Jake.”
“Ha, yeah, I’m real happy about that, bud, but that’s not actually why I’m calling.”
Newman watched as a boat left the jetty below. He recognized the two heads as belonging to Katie McBride and Cubby Hawker, the local law enforcement. When they weren’t keeping everyone safe, they were on the water.
“My eye’s fine now, Jake, seriously.”
“That’s not why I’m calling either, but you don’t want to take that kind of thing lightly, Newman.”
“We’ve had this conversation already. A month has passed, move on, Jake.”
