Four Weeks Read online

  Having an appetite wasn't the problem. She'd worked through lunch and after that ride, she was starving. The man across the table provided part of the distraction that kept her from making up her mind about what to order. It seemed that they were pretending that almost-kiss never happened. The other part was that loose cinch. His fall could've been much worse.

  "Nothing looks good?” Trent asked.

  "Everything sounds great.” She dropped the menu onto the table. “I can't decide."

  "Are you so amazed by my trail riding skills that you can't think?” Trent leaned forward and smiled. “Or do you have a thing about ordering from menus?"

  One side of her mouth curved up. “Whatever."

  The waitress sauntered over. Trent took Louise's menu and handed it with his to the redhead tapping a pencil on a green pad. “Two burgers with fries.” Then he glanced at Louise. “Okay?"

  She nodded.

  After the waitress walked off, Trent faced her. “Tell me your plans for the stable. What're you going to tackle first?"

  Talking with Pete.

  No, she wanted to stay away from that topic. She'd do better to stay positive and keep Trent from reconsidering the agreement. She made a mental note to look into hiring another person to take some of the workload off of Pete, then said, “I've made a list of repairs that need doing right away. For one thing, the main doors don't close up tight. Besides being unsafe, the night wind blows right in. I understand the horses aren't kept on the island over the winter, but still it needs to be taken care of."

  Trent looked out the window. “I wouldn't know what happens here over the winter."

  The slight edge in his voice made Louise curious. Maybe he needed to talk. “Did your dad tell you much about the stable?"

  "No, he didn't tell me anything."

  Louise lowered her voice. “Maybe it was a sudden decision to buy Hawk's."

  "I wouldn't know about that either."

  That unmistakable strain in his voice. It meant something. “You didn't know about the stable? Didn't he tell you anything about it?"

  "I didn't even know about it until my father's lawyer told me I'd inherited it."

  That was really odd, but she didn't say anything. Trent obviously had a very different relationship with his parents than she had with hers.

  "My father and I weren't very close,” he said.

  She remembered the first time she saw him and how his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. “What about your mother?"

  "She died in a car accident when I was little."

  The words I'm sorry stuck in Louise's throat. They would only be a feeble attempt to be polite and sound trite in comparison to all that he'd missed out on.

  Thankfully, the waitress came by and provided a distraction by placing two huge glasses of ice water on the table. Louise picked hers up and downed almost half of it.

  "Trent Parker?"

  Trent's grim expression faded as he stood and offered his hand to the gray-haired man standing beside their table. “Have we met?"

  "No, I worked with your father on his recent deal.” After they'd finished the handshake, the man reached into his pocket of his pressed business casual slacks to pull out a business card. “My name's Michael Robbins."

  Trent glanced at the card, and his expression became guarded. “Which deal was that, Mr. Robbins?"

  Mr. Robbins didn't notice the edge in Trent's voice. He flashed a smile and tipped his head. “Hawk's, of course."

  Trent's smile vanished. “He bought Hawk's from you?"

  "No, Trent.” The man laughed nervously, but kept trying to grin. “I'm in real estate. I made the deal. It was an excellent one if I do say so myself. ‘Course it wasn't easy, but well ... for a man like your father, things get done."

  Trent tossed the business card onto the table. “Excellent for who? That place is fit to be torn down."

  "Like I told your dad, it's a gold mine, a diamond in the rough.” The real estate agent stepped back. “Just needs a little work, that's all."

  Trent's expression shifted to one of disgust. “I can't believe he listened to you."

  The man took another step backward. “Maybe your dad does business different than you. Different vision, you might say. He was very happy with the deal."

  "Maybe my father was a fool, and you took advantage of him."

  For the first time, the man looked at Louise. His fake smile faltered. “Enjoy your meal, Miss.” With that, he turned and strode through the restaurant.

  Glaring at man's back, Trent dropped stiffly into his chair. “What a jerk."

  Louise wondered if Trent's emotional pain was clouding his judgment, but she simply nodded.

  "He knew my father."

  Defeat covered Trent's face, tearing at her heart. “He probably didn't know him, Trent. He only arranged the sale on the stable."

  He rubbed his hands across his face. “Why would my father listen to that man? Why did he buy the place?"

  She'd wondered the same thing. “I don't know."

  Trent looked at the door. “I wonder if that guy knows something about the stable. Something I don't. Maybe I should've taken it easy on him, so I could've asked him some questions."

  Louise pointed down. “He gave you his card."

  Trent tapped the card he'd thrown onto the table. A tiny sold sign was featured in the top corner of the card. “I guess I could call him, smooth things over and then ask him a few things."

  She could think of a couple things herself. Could they have the same questions? “What is it you want to know?” she asked.

  He drummed his fingers on the tabletop. “I'm not sure."

  "Two burgers?” A new waitress laid the plates on the table. “Janet's taking a break. Let me know if you need anything.” The new girl gave Trent a suggestive smile. “Anything at all."

  He ignored her obvious offer and waved her off with one hand while he stared at the card in the other. The girl cast Louise a scowl, and left with a swish of her uniform skirt.

  Their conversation evaporated and Louise watched Trent between bites. Whatever problems he had with his father still affected him and the more time he spent on the island dealing with the memories of his father, the worse his pain. It didn't seem like the stable was the sole cause of the anguish, but it had something to do with their broken relationship. Something that didn't get resolved before his father's death.

  She could try to guess what the source was, but she didn't know Trent well enough to pry into his personal life. If the island continued to remind him of things he wanted to forget, he might change his mind about their four-week deal. A pang of guilt tugged at her stomach. It was selfish of her to worry about her job when Trent was mourning his father.

  Deep in thought, Trent stared out the window beside their table. His burger sat untouched. His mood was enough to convince her that she could do nothing to help him. He'd forgotten all about her and watching him brood wasn't going to make things better.

  She ate the rest of her sandwich and then stood up. “I'll see you later. I'm going to go take care of the horses and lock up for the night."

  He offered her a quick smile.

  She left the restaurant more convinced than ever that he was having harder time dealing with his father's death than he wanted to admit. There was some unfinished business between them and with his father gone, it was going to stay unfinished. Unless, of course, he simply let go.

  * * * *

  "THANKS FOR AGREEING to meet with me on such short notice.” Trent shook Mr. Robbins's hand. After they were both seated in the porch chairs of his hotel, he continued with a smile, “After the way I acted when you came over to introduce yourself, I wouldn't have blamed you if you turned me down."

  "I have to admit I wondered why the sudden interest in me, but it was that curiosity that made me agree to come on over."

  Suddenly, Trent was nervous and couldn't decide what to ask first. He wasn't even sure what he wanted to know. “Would you like
something to drink?"

  Mr. Robbins chuckled and crossed his leg. “No. And I don't think you do either. Let's get down to it, shall we. You want to know what your dad paid for the stable, isn't that it? You're thinking about selling it yourself, and you want to know what it's worth. I can understand that."

  Trent shook his head. “I am curious about what he paid, but that isn't really what I want to know."

  Mr. Robbins raised his eyebrows and remained silent, so Trent continued. “I don't understand why he bought Hawk's."

  "Why does any man buy any business? Money, investment, sometimes there's even a personal interest involved. It isn't my job to ask why a man wants to buy something, it's simply my job to make it happen."

  His initial dislike for the man was starting to fade. What he said made sense, but still he asked, “Aren't you ever curious?"

  "Of course, but I discovered early on in my career if I ask too many questions the client will drop me and move on to a realtor who's less nosy,” after a minute, he added, “No clients, no money. Not much of a way to earn a living."

  A teenage couple strolled past and even though they were yards away on the street, Trent had to hold his next question because of the huge boom box the boy carried was blaring at full volume.

  "So you don't know why my dad bought Hawk's?"

  Mr. Robbins shook his head while his gaze stayed on the teenagers a moment longer. “No, I can honestly tell you I have no idea what your father was doing with the stable. So,” he turned to flash Trent a smile, “Do you want to sell? Because I know a developer who's interested."

  "Keith Klinger?"

  Mr. Robbins sat upright. “You know him?"

  "I talked to him on the phone and I think he came by Hawk's the other day."

  "He's real anxious. Said something about rebuilding from the ground up."

  The image of Louise's pretty face flashed in Trent's mind. Four weeks was a long time in the business world. “Yeah. I know."

  "You gonna sell?"

  Get rid of the place and all the memories of my father? “I'm thinking about it."

  "He might change his mind, or find another lot.” Mr. Robbins was on the edge of his seat, almost rubbing his palms in glee. “What me to give him a call? Tell him you're thinking about it? I can get something together, a nice deal that will suit you both."

  Trent found himself nodding. “Sure."

  Mr. Robbins hopped to his feet and grinned. “I'll be in touch. Anything else I can help you with tonight?"

  Sure. Do you have a fail proof system for disappointing a pretty girl?

  The realtor didn't notice Trent's frown as he made his goodbye and sauntered down the stairs. Once the man was out of sight, Trent slumped in his chair and stared across at the calm waters. Each day on the island seemed to be more complicated that the one before it. How can any of this turn out right?

  * * * *

  SUNDAY AFTERNOON TRENT sighed with relief as he hung up the office phone. He'd been lucky enough to catch his office manager at home and after letting her know that he would be gone for possibly up to four weeks and accepting condolences on behalf of everyone in the office, he could finally believe that he had dealt with the last of other people's emotions.

  From somewhere in the barn, Louise's voice glided to him as she said hello to each of the horses. He could imagine her, patting each one, and offering it a treat. He wouldn't mind forgetting all about the questions plaguing him and accepting some of her pats as well. With one last glance at the nearly blank ledger in front of him, he jerked his chair back and stood, feeling the effects of their long ride yesterday. His sore muscles screamed in protest, but he ignored the pain and went to find Louise outside the stall of the dark horse she'd been riding the day before.

  She turned with a smile already crossing her face. “Shall I tack them up again?"

  "Tack them up?” he asked.

  "Put on the saddle and bridle."

  That was not what he had in mind. “No, thanks."

  She chuckled. “Sore?"

  He shrugged. “A little."

  "I am, too.” She turned back to the horse. “I never really thanked you for dinner, so, thanks."

  He could get accustomed to her gentle voice. When she looked so delicate and sweet, as she did standing there petting the horse, it was easy for him to forget that she was off limits.

  Someone who could hurt him. Someone like his dad.

  She faced him, her smile still in place. “You seemed a little distracted after that real estate man came by."

  Trent jerked. Maybe she wasn't exactly like Mr. Parker. She seemed to see right through his masked emotions, especially when he most wanted to hide them. He searched her face. Had someone told her that he'd met with Mr. Robbins last night?

  She dropped her hands from the horse. “I'm sorry you lost your father, so suddenly. Before you two had a chance to talk."

  Her eyes clouded as though she cared, ruling out an underhanded tactic to get information out of him. Confusion spiraled through him. Why should she care about his relationship with his father? He never knew the man and now he never would.

  He struggled to tamp down the frustration simmering inside and sought for a way to hold himself together. The gaze of her eyes softened and dropped to his mouth. Her lips parted slightly. In desperation he tried to clear his head, but it didn't work.

  The temptation to kiss her took hold and he couldn't shake it. Weary of fighting against his inconsistent emotions, he bent down and pressed his mouth to hers. It started out as an easy, light kiss. But when she gasped with surprise, he moved closer and planted his hands on either side of her shoulders.

  Kissing her was perfection. The sweet scent of her breath and the softness of her mouth made him burn. Everything around them disappeared and all he could think about was the eager movement of her lips and the gentle way her hands skimmed across his ribs. When she struggled for a breath, he pulled away to look into her eyes. As soon as their gazes connected, she turned away, murmuring something he couldn't hear.

  Before he had a chance to question her, a rattle from the office distracted him. She turned and he stepped back.

  An odd scraping sound followed the rattle. His heart picked up speed and his muscles tightened. The loose girth from the day before had him on edge. That and the glaring fact that he knew nothing about the stable or the people connected to it. He glanced at Louise, and she nodded. Assuming that meant she wondered about the noise too, he pointed. She nodded again. As quietly as he could, he crept down the aisle with Louise a half-step behind.

  By the time he reached the office door, the only sounds were the ones he'd come to recognize as typical barn noises.

  He peered into the office. It was empty. The ledger still lay where he'd left it. Everything looked exactly as before. Even his chair was where he'd left it—right under the open window.

  He considered the window more carefully. If he'd known he was going to make it easy for someone to come in that way he wouldn't have pushed the chair against the wall. But ... why would he have suspected anything? Boxes of files he hadn't even looked at covered part of the office floor. What would anyone want with those?

  He crossed the room to look outside. No sign of anyone or anything out of the ordinary.

  "Could it have been a mouse?"

  From the doubt in her voice, he suspected she didn't believe that any more than he did. “A rattling mouse?"

  She made a face and shrugged. “Guess not."

  Somehow he knew that it was a person and not a creature. “It was somebody. Animals don't make noises like that."

  Trent jerked open the desk drawers and shuffled through the contents. Unfortunately there was no way of telling if the things had been gone though. He'd just stuffed the folders, envelopes, and records in there that morning. He should've put them in order, but at the time it didn't seem to matter.

  "You think someone was going through the desk?"

  Trent tried to read her ex
pression.

  "What do you think?” he asked.

  She pressed her lips together and looked around. “I think you're right. It had to be a person.” Just as he had done, she peered out the window. “Maybe it was some kid messing around. Want me to look into it?"

  He studied her fresh, innocent face and wanted to trust her, but he couldn't. He'd trusted his father and look how that turned out. The dull ache that still burned through him even though the man was dead and buried kept reminding him to guard his heart. He couldn't let himself get pulled in by someone who only wanted something from him.

  "It's probably nothing,” he said, wanting to get away from her and the recurring pain thinking about his father brought on. He should get back to finding out something about his father's deal to buy Hawk's. It was certainly much safer than standing around with Louise.

  "I have to go check into some things.” Calling goodbye over his shoulder, he hurried down the aisle.

  Chapter Six

  TRENT DISAPPEARED THROUGH the door. What a combination. A knockout kiss then total rejection.

  Louise crossed to the door and watched his broad shoulders as he hurried through the barn with long, quick strides—no doubt anxious to get away from her. She sighed. The interruption was for the best. She didn't know what came over her, kissing him like that. Regardless of how much she'd enjoyed that kiss, Trent wasn't really interested in her. He'd made that clear time and again.

  Louise heard Pete calling her name. His voice sounded muffled, but she recognized it easily.

  She moved to the doorway. “I'm at the office!"

  The sound of voices gradually got louder until Louise saw Pete and a young woman striding toward her. When they stopped in the aisle, Louise returned the bright smile the woman offered. It wasn't hard to do, because it was contagious.

  Pete waved his wrapped hand. “This here is Gail Winters. She came by looking for work."

  Louise took in the young woman's lively face and then she reached out her hand. “Nice to meet you Gail. What kind of work are you looking for?"

  Gail returned the handshake with a steady grip. “I grew up around horses. I can do just about anything from cleaning out stalls, to taking groups out for trail rides."