Rock and A Hard Place (Cascade Brides Series)

by Blythe, Bonnie

  “Hey,” she said, and blinked for lack of a better response.

  “Is Merle here?”

  Her smile faded a little. “Um, no, he left early for the weekend.”

  “Ah.” The answer seemed to satisfy him. “Do you have any plans for the weekend?”

  Faith's heart suddenly remembered how to beat. “Um, no.”

  “Any interest in heading up to Strawberry Lake tomorrow?”

  Her throat felt dry. “Official business?”

  “If you mean am I working, then no. I'm off tomorrow.”

  “Why Strawberry Lake?”

  Shane raised a brow. “I haven't been there since...”

  Since they'd met. Well. Okay then. “What time?”

  His dark eyes glowed. “I'll pick you up at eight, if that's okay.”

  “Sounds great.”

  “See you then,” he said, and headed back out the door.

  Faith nibbled at her well-worn lip, already wondering why she was in such a flutter. It would be a work trip—for her. Photos for some future brochure or website feature...with a hunky, single ranger who made her thoughts fragment and heart do abnormal things.

  But that was beside the point.

  ***

  Saturday morning dawned dark and cloudy, the air heavy with the threat of rain. Unlike the valley, however, it probably wouldn't last long. After a quick, brutal shower, the weather would probably clear for the most part. Or so Faith hoped.

  She dressed quickly in two T-shirts topped with a fleece jacket, and a pair of Levis coupled with well-worn hiking boots. Not many fashion options when it came to the trail. She did choose something of a loose French twist for her hair as opposed to the usual pony tail. And, in a weak moment, she applied a touch of makeup. No doubt the raccoons and fish would appreciate her efforts.

  After double-checking she had fresh batteries, a free SD card, and a heavier jacket in her backpack along with the other necessities, she perched on the edge of the couch to await Shane.

  Her gaze flicked to the door while her mind told her to keep a lid on the butterflies. Luckily, this wasn't a date, or she'd be as mess—which was exactly why she'd turned him down last time. But perhaps on some level she'd achieve some perspective of her relationship with him. What that meant, she didn't know, but maybe...just maybe some things could be resolved.

  When his Jeep pulled in next to her house, Faith jumped up in time with her pulse. But she forced herself to wait until he knocked before opening the door. He walked in with a rush of cool air that smelled of pine and sage.

  “You look pretty,” he said by way of a greeting.

  Avoiding his bright eyes, she murmured her thanks and grabbed her backpack. Pulling in a silent breath, she turned and faced him, hopefully looking more composed than she felt. Now to sound more gracious than suspicious. “Thanks for inviting me. I'm really looking forward to it.”

  Shane's dark eyes gleamed as if he knew every one of her silly thoughts. He walked over and took her backpack from her hands, sending her a look that dared her to protest. But Faith wanted to be protest-free, at least for the day. Shane was a nice guy who didn't deserve to be yanked around by her mercurial moods.

  They walked out to the Jeep, piled in, and hit the highway.

  “As much as we need rain, a sunny day would've been nice for the hike,” he said after a while.

  Faith peered through the windshield. The clouds had gone from gray to dingy white. “Clouds aren't a guarantee of rain in Oregon. Sometimes they just like to hang around for a long time, especially in the valley.”

  “Do you think your sisters are still there?”

  Faith reminded herself to behave. “I've told you I'm not sure where they live.” She wondered if she should mention the fruitless phone call. “Although I wonder if one of them might be on the coast.”

  His dark brows rose. “Really. Were you able to locate her?”

  She looked down at her clasped hands, noting the whitened knuckles. “I did an Internet search and found a number.”

  “Did you call it?”

  Faith shot him a hard look, wondering why he always had to push. “Yes, for your information, I did. But it was a dead end most likely.”

  “Why most likely?”

  “The Internet listing had a business name but a man answered.”

  “Maybe the man helps her run the business. Or maybe she's married.”

  “I'd like to think my sister would contact me if she planned to get married.”

  “Really? Because you girls don't seem close at all.”

  “Shane, I'm trying to be on my best behavior here, so you should too.”

  He grinned. “Why not just be yourself?”

  “Because that's what gets me in trouble.”

  “What do you mean?” he said, the grin still in place.

  “It means you ask too many questions.”

  “I just care about you, Faith. That's all.”

  She compressed her lips. “Why?”

  He arched a brow. “What do you mean?”

  “Why do you 'care' for me when I just upset you all the time?”

  He turned his attention to the road. “Are you sure you aren't projecting, here? I think I'm the one who does the upsetting.”

  Faith squared her shoulders. “Well, either way, I'm sure you could find someone to hang with who was...easier to get along with.”

  “I'm sure I could,” he said dryly.

  She sent him a look of outrage. “Hey!”

  “But,” he said firmly, “what I like about you is that, in the end, you face your fears.”

  No response came to mind. Had he read her thoughts? Horned in on her prayers?

  “I mean, you got your GED, you made a call to someone who might be your sister, right? Some people would've let that ride. But you didn't.”

  “Only because you hounded me,” she said, her face hot.

  “And yet you took the steps, not me.” He waggled his eyebrows. “See why I'm crazy about you?”

  “Shane, you can't say stuff like that.”

  “What? Why not?”

  “Because. We're friends who occasionally go on hikes together. That's all.”

  “So you've decided that all by yourself?” A peeved note entered his voice.

  “It's just what it is.”

  “Don't I get any input? Or do you just make all the decisions for people around you?”

  Faith bemoaned the change of mood. And she could only blame herself. She had tried to warn him. “See? This is exactly the kind of conversation I'm trying to avoid.”

  Shane didn't respond, but his eyes said plenty. Faith sank deep into the seat as they left Highway 26 and turned onto County Road 62. Maybe she was taking on her fears, but her social graces were obviously lacking.

  She looked out at the picturesque businesses lining Main Street against a backdrop of silver blue mountains. Little towns like this were spread out through the foothills and mountains like jewels on a necklace. She should be enjoying the scenic drive but Shane's words left her feeling like she had a bee in her bonnet.

  Soon they were parked at the Strawberry Basin trail head. Faith quickly slid from the cab, grabbing her backpack and threading her arms through the straps. Casting a look over her shoulder to make sure he was following, she headed down the trail, already dreading the conversation to come. She knew he wouldn't let this go. All attraction aside, they were a terrible combination. She wanted to avoid the conversation, he wanted to bring it to a head. Maybe if the sun came out she could get some shots so the trip wouldn't be a waste.

  And that's what it felt like. Bottom line, Shane wanted her to be someone she really wasn't. And maybe even vice-versa. Why else would he keep prodding her to do things she
wasn't comfortable with? Eventually she would run out of fears (hah) and then what would they have to talk about? Maybe she needed to find out some of his dirty laundry and start peppering him with questions to see how he liked it.

  Except that I wouldn't. Not only do I not want to know, but I'm not that person. Besides, Shane is pretty wonderful just as he is.

  Faith swallowed a hefty lump at the thought. Yes, he could also be annoying but it was only because he was good at heart. No way around it. Shane was wonderful. Which meant he needed to find some nice, enthusiastic, bubbly female to keep him company. Not a twitchy recluse like herself.

  A heaviness pressed upon her, making her feel like the gray clouds above.

  “It sure is beautiful country.”

  She peered over her shoulder. “This is one of my favorite places. Not many people know about Strawberry Lake.”

  “Yeah, when you discover something so amazing, it's tempting to want to keep it all to yourself.”

  Faith sent him a quizzical look then focused on the trail, which was strewn with loose rock and tree roots. Birds fluttered from pine to pine, their wings flapping like helicopter wings overhead. Soon, the crowd of trees gave way, opening to the lake. A cloud moved, revealing the sun, and suddenly the lake glowed like a sapphire lit from within, fringed with the emerald spires of evergreens.

  “Wow,” Shane said in a low voice.

  Faith quickly slid the backpack from her shoulders and pulled out her camera. Not bothering with the tripod in case the sun disappeared, she snapped several shots, hoping to capture the incredible scene before her.

  The clouds moved again, blocking the sun, and the water of the lake turned a flat dark blue color. It was still beautiful, but not quite as remarkable. Faith lowered her camera, glad for the shots she was able to get.

  “It'd be hard to pick a favorite,” Shane said. “What amazes me is how many places there are like this in Oregon. You see the mountains and are in awe, then you see the desert, and it's so beautiful, then a lake like this...at some point you just run out of words.”

  Faith smiled at his overwhelmed tone. She understood exactly.

  “You're kind of like the view, you know.”

  Her eyes widened, all understanding at an end. “What?”

  “Sometimes you're in the shadows and sometimes lit up. I never know what to expect.”

  “Is that supposed to impress me?”

  He laughed. “No, it's just an observation.”

  “Well, no offense, but it's kind of silly. Everyone has different moments—some serious, some light-hearted.”

  He averted his gaze. “You're right. It was silly. Forget it.”

  Faith frowned, wondering at his angle. Was he trying to pick a fight? Or trying not to, so he had to veer off before she responded? “So, are you like a secret poet or something?”

  Now his eyes widened. “Huh?”

  “Well, you're always making these meaningful, double-entendres around me. Either you do it for fun and profit or you want me to be annoyed.”

  “I'm not trying to annoy you, Faith, trust me.”

  Her blood began to heat. Maybe they should just have this out for once and for all. “Or maybe you just enjoy taking every opportunity to show that I'll never measure up.”

  His expression became darkened, just like the lake when the sun had disappeared. Oh great, now she was doing it.

  “Faith, I'm sorry if I've ever said anything to make you feel like you don't measure up. I don't think that way about you.”

  “So why do you always badger me to change?”

  He put his hands on his hips. “I just don't like watching you suffer.”

  “Suffer? I'm perfectly content with my life!”

  “Really? So you went around feeling like a half-wit because you didn't have your diploma, or worrying that Merle would pull the job out from under you? I wouldn't be a friend if I allowed you to continue living that way without a least a nudge or two.”

  Faith opened her mouth, then shut it. He had a point. But that didn't mean she had to like it.

  “And while we're on the subject, yes, I think you should try to reconcile with your sisters. They're the only family you have left, and once that's gone, it's gone.”

  The pain in Shane's voice twisted her heart, and the snarky comeback died on her lips. “Like I said,” she said quietly, “I made a call.”

  “And if there's no response, are you just going to leave it at that?”

  Faith threw up her hands. “Shane, has it ever occurred to you they might not want to hear from me?”

  He walked up to her, his expression grim, and took her hand in his. “No. Because I can't imagine not having you in my life.”

  Her mouth went dry at the look in his eyes and the warmth of his fingers “Sorry, Shane,” she said in a low voice. “You can't have it both ways.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “How can you be dissatisfied with me and want me in your life at the same time?”

  “Because I've seen the real you—the one lit up and breathtaking.”

  “Are you doing that poetry thing again?”

  A corner of his lip twitched. “Maybe. But there are things in our lives that we can't control. And there are things we can. And what we can...those are the things we can do something about.” He reached up and pulled a wisp of hair from her face. “I remember how excited you were when you got your diploma. And I've seen your confidence grow in your photography. Seems to me the last hurdle is at least seeing if your sisters want to reconcile. If they don't, then that's out of your control. But avoiding them is your call.”

  She fought a rising heat behind her eyes. “I know you're in to all that happy ending stuff but sometimes, no matter how hard you try, it just doesn't turn out the way you want.”

  “But if you don't at least take the chance, you'll never know which way things could've gone.”

  Faith stared up at him, mesmerized by the shifting light on his face, by the caressing look in his eyes. Were they still talking about her sisters? Could she hope his feelings for her were genuine? That maybe he didn't see her as a complete basket case? This time when he dipped his head, she met him halfway, closing her eyes and allowing the sensation of his kiss to wash over her.

  His arms slid around her waist and he pulled her close. Somehow her arms found their way around his neck. His embrace made her feel cherished. It was a feeling she could get used to. And that's when she realized her greatest fear.

  When he lifted his lips, he smiled. “See what happens when I get my way?”

  Knowing her face was aflame, she peeked up at him through her lashes. “You can be very persuasive sometimes.”

  “C'mon, let's get down to the water.” He held out his hand and she took it, reaching for her backpack with the other.

  Faith found a reprieve in action. She needed the time to deal with the truth burgeoning in her heart. Not the sparkly kind of truth, but the scary, edge-of-the cliff variety.

  The trail to the side of the lake was strewn with dead wood from past storms, pushed into the dirt banks. Sunlight picked its way through cloud breaks to dapple the water while a light breeze skimmed the surface. On the other side of the water, she saw a doe flit through the trees.

  “Are you going to want to get some more shots?”

  Faith nodded, thankful for the respite from his...persuasion, whether it was his eyes or lips. Just because she kissed him didn't mean she knew what in the world she was doing. A life as a veritable hermit meant she didn't have much of a filter to sort out her feelings.

  Faith gulped. Talk about leaving her comfort zone. This was diploma plus job worries plus sister issues squared. Or cubed. And what if she went forward with what he was offering and it failed? Could she de
al with the consequences? Of not having Shane in her life?

  Or even more terrifying—life with Shane. Her heart stood at the edge of that cliff, and naturally she was more aware of the jagged rocks below than the pretty birds soaring above. Faith's respiration ramped up. This could get bad.

  “Let me get a picture of you in front of the water.” Shane held out his hand for her camera.

  “Okay,” Faith said, jerked from her melodramatic thoughts—for about three seconds. Maybe they could do that whole kissing thing again. That might help.

  Backing against a low ledge of flat rock and dead branches, he held the camera up to his face. “Say cheese.”

  “That's it? 'Say cheese'?” Faith felt a measure of her self-imposed tension ease. “I thought Mr. Metaphor would have something a little more original than that.”

  “I can only hope I live up to your high expectations, Faith.”

  She shook her head at his words, but couldn't suppress a smile.

  He sent her a look that warmed her to her bones. “After this we'll set the timer on this thing and get one of us together.”

  The sun came out in a blaze of golden light. Faith looked up and saw that the cloud front was moving away from the lake.

  He looked up at the sky. “Looks like we'll have a sunny day after all.”

  “Yeah,” she said, distracted by the sight of him standing near the bank, a happy smile on his face. Her metaphorical toes crept closer to the crumbling edge. One swift wind might just knock her all the way over...

  Shane's brow furrowed and he twisted around. “Hold on, these sticks are poking into my leg.” When he turned back to her, his eyes appeared even darker in a face that had suddenly paled. “Uh...we have a problem.”

  Faith stared in confusion at first, then hurried to where he was standing, alarmed by his stark expression.

  Shane put his arm out to stop her. “Don't. They're rattlesnakes.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Faith's heart seized up at his words. She went around the side of him, shocked to find not one, but two Pacific rattlesnakes dangling from his lower pant leg, their fangs caught in the fabric. Without looking away from the snakes, Faith crouched down and scrabbled on the ground for a branch. “Are...are they still in your skin?”