One Step Away (Hazel Green Book 2)

by Cindy Kirk

  He’d already surmised that Matt wasn’t here when he didn’t see his truck parked out front. He hadn’t expected him to show. Matt had considered the skating rink somewhat of a command performance. That amount of time at his father’s side had probably been more than enough for his brother.

  “Oh no.” Sophie clapped a hand dramatically over her mouth. “I was supposed to tell Dad and Grandpa the minute I saw your car. But I forgot.”

  “Where are they?”

  “In Daddy’s office.” Sophie expelled a gusty sigh. “Talking business.”

  “I’ll tell them I’m here.”

  “No,” Sophie wailed, putting a restraining hand on his arm. “That’s my job.”

  Leo had to smile. Though Wells didn’t have a dramatic bone in his body, Sophie might have a career on the stage. Or maybe that was just the way girls were. She was the only child he spent any time with, so he had no basis for comparison.

  “Wait right here.” She pointed to him, her tone brooking no argument.

  Then she was off, reminding him of a whirlwind with her skirt twirling around her thin legs, her long hair pulled back in a tail that bounced as she rushed down the hall.

  His dad and brother didn’t keep him waiting long. Seconds later, they appeared with hearty smiles plastered on their faces.

  “What had you two holed up in the study?”

  Wells swept a dismissive hand. “Just business.”

  Leo arched a brow, and his brother flushed.

  “It wasn’t business in the sense you’re thinking, Leo.” His father crossed the room, drink in hand, to sit in a burgundy leather chair that had once been his. “I was updating Wells on Steve.”

  “Is Uncle Steve coming for fireworks?”

  Sophie’s question had Tim jolting. It was as if he’d forgotten his granddaughter was in the room.

  Uncle Steve. Aunt Karen. While the two weren’t related to the Pomeroy family, they’d been a part of so many celebrations, Sophie had been calling them aunt and uncle since she’d first learned to talk.

  “No, honey.” Wells put a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “They won’t be coming this year.”

  Sophie frowned. “I want them to come. Uncle Steve showed me how to play the ukulele. I’ve been practicing, and I’m really, really good.”

  Wells offered his daughter a sympathetic smile, then changed the subject. “Where’s your grandmother?”

  Leo was about to send his brother a warning look when his mother appeared at the top of the stairs.

  “How nice to see all my boys in the same room.” She frowned as if noticing one of the boys was missing. “Where’s Matt?”

  His father took a sip of bourbon. “He had somewhere to be.”

  “I was so happy to see him at the rink.” Marty reached the bottom of the stairs and held out her hand to Sophie. “Time to start getting ready for bed.”

  “Can we read Nancy Drew?” Sophie asked her grandmother.

  “Of course.” Marty pulled Sophie to her for a hug, then planted a kiss on the top of her head.

  Without any prompting, Sophie rushed to her father for a hug, then moved to Leo and finally to her grandfather.

  “I’ll check in on you,” Wells promised.

  Only when the three of them were alone again did Leo cast a questioning glance at his father. “What’s the latest?”

  “The authorities have discovered Steve has a gambling problem. He got in deep and apparently decided taking bribes was his only way to pay his debts.”

  Leo swore under his breath. “What would make him think that was his only option?”

  “I don’t know.” Tim heaved a heavy breath. “Honestly, if you had asked me a month ago, before everything came out, I’d have said no way would Steve ever take a bribe. But he did. Not just once. He lied to me every day for months, maybe for years. I trusted his research on legislation and his recommendations.”

  His father scrubbed a hand across his face. “I feel like such a fool.”

  “Don’t blame yourself.” Leo’s anger rose. “Steve betrayed your trust. He lied to you. Oh, maybe not outright lies, but lies of omission are just as serious. Each time he didn’t give you all the facts or encouraged you to vote for a piece of legislation that wasn’t in your constituents’ best interests, he betrayed the trust you placed in him and tainted you politically.”

  “What I hate the most is what this may do to your career.” Tim shook his head. “You’ve got such a promising future ahead of you, Leo. You’re a rising star in the political ranks. This scandal may tarnish your reputation to such an extent that you never achieve your full potential.”

  “Let’s just worry about your political future for now, Dad.” Wells put a supportive hand on his father’s back.

  “I agree.” The words had barely left Leo’s lips when his mother moved to her husband’s side.

  He watched as she laid her head against his shoulder in a gesture of comfort.

  “I’m sorry, Marty.” Lines of weariness edged his father’s eyes. “I know what your friendship with Karen has meant to you. But until the FBI clears her…”

  “I know, Tim.” Marty heaved a sigh. “I’ll keep my distance. But I still hold out hope that in the end we’ll find out that the only thing Karen did wrong was, like you, place her faith in a man who couldn’t be trusted.”

  Like many communities that thrive on tourist dollars, Hazel Green went all out for the Fourth, starting with a huge pancake breakfast put on by the Green Machine.

  Nell had offered to help, but the volunteer slots had been filled. Instead, she sat beside Leo at one of the long tables with a platter of pancakes dripping with butter and maple syrup. “I’m surprised your family isn’t here.”

  “They’ll be here later.” Leo paused, a chunk of pancake dangling from his fork. “My mom wanted to make waffles for Sophie. Although they’ll be in town for a few more days, much of my father’s time—and hers—are tied up meeting with people and making appearances.”

  “She wanted quality time with her granddaughter.”

  Leo chewed and swallowed. “While this breakfast is prime time to meet his constituents, his entire day is like that. My mom isn’t as outgoing as my dad. Back-to-back events exhaust her.”

  “It’s good he understands and they can compromise.”

  Surprise flickered in Leo’s eyes. “You do understand.”

  “Since he’s not here, I assume he not only accepted her decision, but supports it.”

  “You’re right. He—”

  “Is there room for one more?” Dixon appeared, plate in hand, at the end of the table.

  “Actually, there’s plenty of room.” Nell motioned for him to sit on the other side of the picnic table. “There was a large family who took up all the seats when we arrived, but they just left.”

  “Lucky for me.” Dixon nodded to Leo. “Good to see you, Mr. Mayor.”

  “May I join you?” Lilian’s plate held a single hotcake and one strip of bacon. In the other hand, she gripped a Styrofoam cup filled with coffee.

  “Let me help you with that.” Dixon set his food on the table, then took Lilian’s plate and placed it beside his. “You’re looking festive today.”

  While Nell had chosen a 1950s day dress in a red gingham with contrasting trim, Lilian could have stepped straight out of the 1940s in her blue A-line skirt and chunky heels. Her red-and-white-vertical-striped blouse added just the right festive touch.

  Leo’s dark denim jeans had rolled cuffs, and his white T-shirt showed off his broad chest. She and Leo were a match made in 1950s heaven, she thought with a smile.

  “Why didn’t you dress up, Dixon?” Nell inclined her head. “You live here now.”

  Dixon broke out in raucous laughter. “Did you even look at me before I sat down, or were you too busy making googly eyes at him?”

  Nell flushed. Little brothers could be a pain. Her chin jutted up. “I looked.”

  “I’m wearing pol-y-ester.” Dixon s
poke slowly, as if she was having difficulty comprehending. “Can you say vintage 1970?”

  “Your shirt—”

  “My shirt is a polyester golf shirt from the seventies. Take a good long look at the collar if you don’t believe me.”

  His mocking tone set Nell’s teeth on edge. She recognized he was teasing her, but she hadn’t liked it when she was fifteen, and she didn’t like it now.

  She opened her mouth, but Lilian spoke first.

  “You look so happy today, Dixon. The light in your eyes simply shines through.” Lilian shot a wink at Nell. “I daresay not many women will even notice those hideous polyester pants.”

  Nell expected her brother to laugh, but a softness filled his eyes. “Thank you for the compliment.”

  Dixon liked Lilian, Nell realized, genuinely liked her. Some of the tension that had gripped her since she’d learned he was courting Lilian’s investment business eased.

  While their mother would have had no compunction about shafting a friend—in fact, would have loved doing it—Dixon was different. His loyalty was hard to earn, but once gained, well, you could trust him with your life.

  “You’re coming over to the house after the big fireworks display.” Leo might have phrased it as a statement, but there was a question in his eyes when he glanced at Lilian.

  “I wouldn’t miss it,” Lilian said.

  Dixon said nothing, simply forked off a bite of pancake. Nell thought about the event at Wells’s home tonight. It wouldn’t be just family in attendance, close friends of the family would be there, too.

  She thought of all the holidays she and Dixon had spent apart. And all the ones they’d spent together perpetuating one scam or another. Gloria always sneered that people let down their guard around the holidays.

  Nell wished she could invite Dixon. She wondered if he’d be alone tonight.

  “Dixon, my brother is having some people over to his house after the fireworks tonight.” Leo’s voice broke through her thoughts. “If you don’t have plans for later, I’d love to see you there.”

  Nell met Dixon’s questioning gaze. “It should be fun. There’ll likely be lots of people you know there.”

  “No one throws a party like the Pomeroys,” Lilian added.

  Dixon appeared to consider the offer. “Are you certain your brother won’t mind if I crash his party?”

  “It’s not his party, and I invited you, so you won’t be crashing,” Leo said firmly.

  “Oh, say you’ll come, Dixon,” Lilian urged. “We need more young people to liven things up. I feel quite certain this will be a night none of us will ever forget.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Dixon and Lilian were in the middle of a conversation about the upcoming football season when Leo and Nell said their goodbyes.

  “Lilian appears genuinely fond of Dixon,” Leo said, slanting a glance in Nell’s direction. She looked so pretty today, her blonde hair a mass of loose waves that softened the angular lines of her face.

  She smiled up at him. “Dixon can be very charming.”

  “I can be charming, too.”

  She poked him in the ribs with her elbow. “You’re extremely charming, even without trying.”

  Despite the flippant tone, her words pleased him. When she looked at him, he saw the affection. An affection that went both ways. How had they become so close in such a short time?

  The sexual intimacy they’d enjoyed this past year had been a primer for the deeper intimacy that existed between them now that they’d been dating. While most couples dated and then became physically close, he and Nell had done it backward.

  The thought made him smile.

  “You’re looking pretty pleased with yourself.”

  He lifted her hand and tucked it around his arm. “It’s a beautiful day, and I’m spending it with an amazing woman that I’m crazy about. Why wouldn’t I be pleased?”

  “You’re crazy about me?” Her teasing tone lowered the stakes on his answer.

  He could be off-the-cuff and defuse the situation or be honest and take a risk.

  Leo stopped walking and stared into her intense blue eyes. “Seriously crazy about you.”

  “Good.” She gave a decisive nod. “Because I’m seriously crazy about you.”

  “Leo. Nell.” Abby’s voice rang out, and they turned in that direction.

  Eva Grace was riding high on Jonah’s shoulders.

  “I was just saying to Jonah I wondered if you and Leo were here.” Abby wore a red, white and blue romper. A romper, like the kind his sister had once wore.

  “I saw you,” Eve Grace blurted out. “I told Mommy and Daddy, there’s Aunt Nell right over there.”

  Jonah, who reminded Leo of a 1960s hippie with his bell-bottom jeans and fringed shirt, lifted a hand, his fingers forming a peace sign. “Eva Grace has eagle eyes.”

  The child smiled, revealing a missing front tooth. “I’m wearing culottes. They’re like shorts but different.”

  “I love them.” Nell touched the cherry-red fabric.

  “Mommy made ‘em.” Eva Grace smiled down at her mother.

  What would Nell be like as a mother? Leo wondered. From the little she’d said of her home life, it hadn’t been the best. Yet, she’d still come through the experience as a warm and caring woman. And she was good around children.

  Leo had the feeling that not only would Nell make a good politician’s wife, she’d be a good mother. He remembered what his father had once said, that when you look at a woman to marry, you need to consider what kind of mother she’d be to your children.

  The fact that he could think of the word marry in conjunction with Nell without breaking into a cold sweat told Leo his feelings went deep.

  “We’re headed to the three-legged race.” Abby gestured with one hand in the direction of where most of the games were to be set up. “Want to come with us?”

  “To watch?” Nell asked cautiously. “Or to participate?”

  “We’re just going to watch,” Abby told her.

  The pronouncement earned a moan from Eva Grace.

  Jonah gave his daughter’s leg a tug. “We signed you up for the sack race and the bean-bag toss.”

  Eva Grace’s entire face brightened. “When can I do the sack race?”

  “It’s right after the three-legged races.” Abby slanted a glance at Nell. “I bet it feels strange not to be Hazel Green today.”

  “Very strange,” Nell admitted. “But nice, too. No speeches to give.”

  “Now that Abby mentions it, I thought you were speaking today.” Leo took her hand as they followed Abby and Jonah.

  “I gave up my spot to your father.” Nell gave his hand a squeeze. “I get to be me all day. He gets another chance to rally his supporters. Win-win.”

  “That was generous.”

  “That’s me.” She smiled cheekily. “Generous to a fault.”

  Nell stood between Leo and Abby and waited for the bell to sound on the next heat of the adult three-legged race. They’d already watched the various groupings of children.

  No wonder Eva Grace had wanted to participate. The children seemed to be having great fun. Even when they fell over, which was often, they simply laughed and got back up—or tried to get back up.

  Leo’s arm slipped around her shoulders, and she leaned her head against his arm, feeling utterly relaxed and content. At the moment, she was exactly where she wanted to be.

  “Penny for your thoughts,” he whispered, his breath warm against her ear.

  “I was thinking how happy I am.” She lifted her head and gazed into his eyes. “There isn’t any other place I’d rather be right now than here with you.”

  Emotion clouded his eyes. “I feel the same way.”

  Nell wanted him to kiss her, to hold her tight and never let go.

  He didn’t, just tightened his arm around her shoulders and returned to watching the race.

  Was Dixon right? Could she trust in this new life she’d built? Trust t
hat her past would stay away forever? With the summer sun shining hot and bright overhead and laughter filling the air, she thought that, for the first time, it seemed possible.

  Even three weeks ago, she couldn’t have seen a happy ending in sight. But she and Leo grew closer every day. He was a decent, honorable man, but one who realized life wasn’t always perfect.

  On the way to the breakfast this morning, he’d mentioned Karen, the wife of his father’s legislative director. Though he had no idea of her guilt or innocence, he held on to hope she’d be shown to be simply a victim of her husband’s bad decisions, just as Leo’s father was a victim.

  Nell wondered if that’s how he would view her and Dixon. Would he see them as victims of their mother’s machinations? Or as willing participants and therefore criminals?

  Sophie was on the field, and his gaze was focused on her. A slight smile lifted his lips as he watched his niece and her friend position themselves at the starting line.

  “I wish I could be in the race,” Eva Grace said, her lips forming a pout.

  “Next year,” her mother said reassuringly.

  Would Nell be standing beside Abby next summer and cheering on Eva Grace? Or, once she told Leo everything, would she see no other option but to start fresh in a new community?

  “Go, Sophie, go!” Leo yelled as his niece and her friend wobbled their way down the field.

  He shifted his gaze to Nell and grinned.

  The sight of his happiness was nearly her undoing. But in that moment, Nell knew she had to tell him everything. Secrets festered. Small lies multiplied and promoted distrust. If she didn’t tell him, their relationship wouldn’t have a chance of going the distance.

  She would tell him.

  And she would do it tonight.

  Leo spread the blanket out on the grass. He and Nell had scored this prime spot on top of a small incline surrounding Spring Lake, thanks to Liz and the rest of Nell’s friends who’d arrived early and claimed the area.

  All of their friends were here. Liz, with her mother and son. Jonah, Abby and Eva Grace sat with Matilda barely a foot from his and Nell’s blanket. Iris had arrived, then moved to the other side when Beau had arrived.