Love & Liberty: Independence Day (Holidays In Hallbrook Book 6)

by Elsie Davis

  “Okay, just one cup. Thank you for offering,” David relented, putting Ashley’s needs in front of his own.

  “I don’t mean to be such an emotional wreck.” She smiled up at him. A shy smile, but one that made him want to kiss her. Something he wouldn’t do.

  “I think if anyone’s entitled, you are.” David leaned against the counter as Ashley turned on the coffee pot.

  “You mean because I’m divorced?” There was a tinge of resentment in her voice, but at least they were talking. It was a step in the right direction considering their history together.

  “No. Because you just moved across the country, got settled in, and then had a fire that drove you from your new place and robbed you of everything you owned. That’s a lot for anyone to go through.” He was trying to sympathize with her, but she’d immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion.

  Clearly, she was sensitive about her divorce. It wasn’t the first time her comments left him wondering what really happened in California. It had to be significant for her to leave the state with her son, driving clear across the country to start over. And what did that say of her ex-husband? The man didn’t seem to care that she’d taken Cory with her.

  She let out a deep sigh, something he noticed her doing far too often. “True. Thanks.” She shrugged.

  “Still don’t want the world to see your vulnerability, do you? There’s nothing wrong with needing help now and then.” David pressed to see if she’d share. Once upon a time, they’d shared everything. Well, almost everything. He’d never told her about watching his father die. Or watching his mother live as though she wished she’d died with his father.

  “You’re one to talk. The man who doesn’t believe in relationships. The man who doesn’t let anyone get too close.” Ashley had turned the tables on him without so much as a blink of the eye.

  “I let you get close.” He said, not liking the direction of the conversation.

  Ashley’s sharp gaze left him squirming. “And then you walked away.”

  “Point taken. So, are you in town for long?” David wasn’t sure how he wanted to her answer but steeled himself for her response either way.

  Ashley handed him the first cup of coffee and then popped in the second k-cup to brew another. “Probably not. I’ve applied to a few places for work, but I’m hoping to get in with National Geographic. They’re looking for a new photographer.” Her face lit up as she mentioned her dream job.

  “That’s all you could talk about when you were younger. It’s awesome you might get an opportunity to work with them. I’m sure you’ll get it.” He took a sip of coffee, enjoying the bold chicory flavor.

  “I don’t want to get my hopes too high. It’s a competitive job, and I’m sure there are people way more qualified than me trying to get it.”

  “I’ve seen your work. You’re an amazing photographer, and your talent shines through in every picture you take. It’s like the photo is a piece of your heart.”

  Ashley looked up at him in shock. “When have you seen my work?”

  “Trent is pretty proud of you. Anything you’ve ever sent him is hanging on the walls at his house. Between the two of us, you have quite the admiration society.” David smiled. It was nothing more than the truth.

  Ashley’s answering blush touched his heart. Still the same sweet, not overly confident Ashley she’d always been. “Thanks. I had no idea Trent was that interested in my work.” Did she leave him out because she knew he was a fan, or because she didn’t want to think about it? Either way, it probably didn’t matter. Or it needed to be left alone. To go there would mean getting too close to the past.

  “You’d be surprised. Trent has always been protective and proud of his little sister.” It was Trent’s protective side that David had dealt with back in high school. Even as best friends, Trent had been clear David wasn’t good enough for her. No one was in his eyes.

  “Yes, that’s true. Trent goes overboard, or at least he used too far too often. After our dad died, he sort of designated himself as my keeper. And when mom passed, his being away at college didn’t stop him from his duties, it only magnified them. Trent used to call me every day. It was nice, but also frustrating and embarrassing.”

  “I remember, trust me.” But that wasn’t something he was willing to discuss with Ashley. The past was best left in the past. David had let Trent push him away from her, but it only worked because he’d been looking for a way out anyway. Life hadn’t worked out for David and Ashley to have a happily-ever-after.

  “If you’re looking for work elsewhere, what brings you back to Hallbrook? Trent?”

  “Actually, some volunteer work.” Ashley grabbed her cup when the gurgling sound of the coffeemaker stopped, and then she came to sit at the table with him. David moved one of the boxes to make room for her.

  “What kind of work?” he asked, happy to be back in a safer conversation.

  “It’s actually a pretty cool deal. There’s been a reported sighting of a bald eagle near here, and the Audubon Society called me to check it out. They knew I used to live in Hallbrook and know the area. I’m trying to find the eagle and nest as part of the Bald Eagle Project in New Hampshire.” Ashley’s excitement came spilling out with each sentence. It was a fantastic opportunity for her.

  “That sounds awesome and right up your alley. Just think, if you find it, there might be a National Geographic media spread. Eagles are big news. Where was the reported sighting?”

  “We don’t exactly know. The people were hiking when they noticed him flying overhead. They were in the White Mountains Forest, mentioned a large pond, and listed their proximity to Hallbrook and the North Summit parking lot as the exit point of their hike. That’s pretty much all they could tell us. I’m going to mark out the area on the map and set up gridded sections to play eagle scout.” She grinned. “Of course, there’s the added bonus of any other wildlife photos I get along the way.”

  David winced. He was thrilled for Ashley, but there was one little problem. Make that a big problem. “You’ll need to get a move on with your search. You probably don’t know this yet, seeing as you’ve only just arrived back in town, but the fire department has a prescribed burn tentatively scheduled. We’ve been waiting on ideal weather conditions, and it looks like we might get them in about five days. If the weather conditions hold out, we need to move forward with the burn.”

  Ashley shook her head, her brow drawn tight. “But you can’t burn anything if there’s an eagle nest out there.”

  “I understand that. But as of now, there are no confirmed nests, are there?” he asked, knowing the answer.

  “Can’t you wait until I finish my search?”

  “No. We’ve been waiting for months. Ideal conditions don’t come around very often, and we really hope to have this done before the summer.”

  “But the eagle deserves a chance to establish his home and deserves the protection due an eagle in our country. I realize they are no longer on the endangered species list, but they are still the symbol of our country, representing freedom and strength. And just because they aren’t on the list now, doesn’t mean we can let down our guard or they’ll be right back on the list. You can’t burn. Please,” Ashley begged.

  “I get that you want to protect the eagles. I’m all for it. But I have to consider the bigger picture. Our number one objective is to reduce the fuel available in the event of a forest fire. This is about protecting our community, not just one eagle.”

  Ashley bit down on her lip, fighting back the urge to argue her point. He knew the look all too well.

  “I’m sorry. I should leave. I’ve got work to do.” David stood, moving to the sink to rinse out his cup before setting it on the counter.

  “You wouldn’t happen to have a map of the park, would you? If I have limited time, I need to get started out there today. My original gridded map was lost in the fire.” Ashley’s clipped voice made it clear she wasn’t happy he wouldn’t do things her way.

&n
bsp; “Sure thing. I’m betting I have a couple in the truck.” David headed downstairs to get her a map. Anything to help her cause. He honestly did support her efforts. There were only fifty-nine pairs of bald eagles currently recorded in the state of New Hampshire. Umbagog Lake had more than its fair share, and it would be great if they could lay claim to one right here near Hallbrook.

  An eagle’s nest would be federally protected, as well as the area surrounding them. But until Ashley found one, his hands were tied. The community and the forest had to come first, and the burn had to move forward.

  He walked back into the apartment and handed Ashley the map. “Good luck. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

  “Thanks,” Ashley said, looking like there was more on her mind.

  “Mommy?” Cory’s sleepy voice called from the back bedroom.

  She needed to go, and continuing the conversation was pointless. “Looks like duty calls for both of us. Don’t forget to phone me if you need anything.” David walked out the door, not bothering to wait for an answer.

  Chapter Five

  True to his word, David only dropped by to bring in more boxes of donations. The outpouring of love from the community continued to soften her heart and make her feel welcome. Like she was home. At first, she’d felt like a charity case, but no matter how much she told people in town that she had plenty, they just kept sending more. It was like it made them happy to help. There was a real sense of community that she’d missed since moving to a big city.

  Cory had more toys now than what she’d brought from California, and he was in his element. What little boy wouldn’t be overjoyed with Christmas in July? He’d named his new bunny Jax, short for Jackson. The sentimentality behind Cory’s choice was another example of her son’s huge heart. Jax was his new bed-time buddy to snuggle with, and David, of course, his new best friend for giving Cory the bunny.

  The only thing he wasn’t happy about nowadays was how little he saw Kojak. He’d always wanted a dog, but Joe had been adamant against it. In hindsight, considering what had happened between her and her ex-husband, that had been a good thing. It’d been hard enough coming across the country with Cory and all their belongings in a U-Haul trailer and towing her car behind them. Bringing a dog would have been inconceivable. Not to mention the added difficulty of trying to find a place to rent that took pets, and even if they did, the added expense.

  “Hey, Mommy. Look.” Cory’s finger was pressed to the window as he faced her. The excitement in his voice could only mean one thing—Kojak was in the backyard. Ashley moved to the window, knowing it was important to share in his joy. She laughed as she watched the dog chase a ball until she realized who was doing the throwing.

  David came into view, and her gaze trailed him instead of Kojak and his antics. He threw the ball and hollered at the dog to fetch it. This was a David she hadn’t seen in a long time. A laughing, smiling David. Once upon a time, he’d been like that with her. Best friends.

  She’d never admit it to anyone other than herself, but it still hurt to think about the way they’d separated. Common courtesy would have at least dictated they discuss the breakup, considering it wasn’t like anything bad had happened between them. No fights. No incident. Nothing. David had simply pulled her aside after school one day and announced it was over between them, telling her he was going away to college. He’d claimed he didn’t want to give her the wrong impression that there would ever be a future between them.

  What kind of a breakup was that? The kind that ripped a girl’s heart out. The kind that left someone cold and crying in the privacy of their bedroom at night.

  It had almost been a welcome relief when David and Trent had gone off to college, leaving her behind. Better not to see David. And where Trent was, David was close at hand. It would seem the two were best friends for life.

  It had also been a blessing each time Trent came home from school and David stayed away. Seeing him would have been a painful reminder of her broken heart and dreams. To a lesser extent, that was what was happening now. Luckily, she was over him. Mostly.

  Life could have been so different. But it did no good to think about it now, and besides, she had her son. And she’d do everything in her life all over again to have Cory. Move to California after her mother died. Marry Joe. In truth, even the divorce was a blessing, because now she could raise Cory the way she wanted to, without Joe’s interference.

  Ashley turned away from the window, but not before David looked up and waved, catching them in the act of gawking. “Time for breakfast, Cory.”

  “Can we have pancakes this morning?” She was surprised he hadn’t asked to go down and play with David and Kojak. Apparently, his hunger was greater than his need for doggy time.

  “Yes, of course.” It was his favorite breakfast, not to mention hers as well. Ever since she’d found a healthy but delicious way to make them, she couldn’t get enough. Moist and nutty, the cottage cheese and yogurt pancakes were always a hit with everyone who tried them.

  “Yummy, yummy in my tummy.” He giggled, and the sound was music to Ashley’s ears.

  She pulled all the ingredients from the refrigerator and pantry, the supplies all a reminder of the community’s generosity. Later today, she needed to run into town and drop off the portfolio she’d put together at the request of the National Geographic’s human resource department. She still couldn’t believe the email she’d received yesterday, even though she’d read it at least twenty times already. Being under consideration was a huge step forward.

  While Cory ate his breakfast, Ashley packed her backpack for today’s outing. In the past three days, she’d managed to mark off three of the sixteen gridded areas, each one covering a square mile. With each day, Ashley had been hopeful to spot the eagle or find the nest. And each day, she’d returned home disappointed. The only upside was the beautiful photos she’d taken capturing wildlife, unique foliage, and blossoms, some of which she planned to add to her collection of favorites.

  Thirty minutes later, she was ready to go. Cory was eager to go play with Tricia’s children and her niece and nephew. It had been a blessing when Tricia had volunteered to watch him while she went trekking through the woods. Kids weren’t always the quietest or the easiest to keep from getting bored on a nature walk.

  “So, what’s the plan for today?” Tricia asked. Her friend liked to know what area Ashley was searching and then backed up the information with a photo of the grid. It was overly cautious, but it was nice to have someone worry about her for a change. It had been so long; she’d forgotten what that felt like.

  “I’ve got to stop in town at the post office, but then I’m going to try and knock out this section. And if possible, this one.” She opened the map and pointed at the gridded areas she planned to visit. “Thank you so much for doing this.”

  Tricia snapped two photos. “I just wish I could do more. It won’t be long before my house is back to normal. If things are still uncomfortable where you are, you can come and stay here for a bit. Not much space, but lots of fun.” She laughed.

  “Thanks for the offer. I’m doing okay. It helps to keep busy. Call me if you need anything. So far, I haven’t lost cell service out there.”

  “Take your time, I’m sure the kids will be fine.”

  “Be good for Miss Tricia, honey. Love you.” Ashley kissed the top of her son’s head.

  “Bye, Mommy.” He hugged her leg and then ran off, eager to play with the other kids.

  Ashley left and drove toward the post office. She pulled into a spot directly in front of the small brick building. The American flag flew high and proud on the pole out front, the wind causing it to ripple gently.

  She crossed the scuffed tiled floor that had seen better days and entered through the interior glass door to the smaller area where the postal business was transacted. “Hi, Mrs. Adams,” Ashley said, surprised to see the older woman still working here. “I need to mail this package, please. Do you have a photo label
we can add to the envelope to alert mail staff to be a little more careful with it?”

  “Of course, dearie. I heard you were back in town. And I heard about the fire. My goodness, that must have been awful. Is David taking good care you?” Rachael Adams was a kindly woman with access to all the current gossip just by showing up to work each day.

  Having people link her and David together wasn’t good. Better she nix the idea now than let the rumor mill go crazy. “I’m not staying with David. My son, Cory, and I are staying in his mother’s apartment. We are taking care of ourselves and doing great, all things considered. The town has been very generous and supportive, for which I’m very appreciative.”

  “David’s a nice, attractive young man. You two are older now, but I remember when you dated. So cute together.” Mrs. Adams was heading down memory lane, a place Ashley had no intention of going.

  “All history. There’s nothing between us now. Trust me,” Ashley said, hoping to reinforce the idea and wipe away any lingering doubts as to the status between her and David.

  The older woman stuck four photo labels on the envelope, and then put it on the scale to check for the postage due. “I reckon you’re coming to the festival next week, right? The whole town will be there, and I’m sure you can get reacquainted. It would give you a chance to tell folks thank you in person.”

  “I’d forgotten about that until I saw one of the posters. I remember how much fun the Independence Day festival was, and I’m looking forward to taking Cory.” Cotton candy. Games. Balloons. Food galore. Rides. Her son would love it all.

  “You know, they’re looking for volunteers. Would be nice if you could help. I’m sure the committee would love to have you.” Mrs. Adams grinned, her smile revealing a few missing teeth.

  “I don’t know if I’ll have time, what with Cory, and searching for the bald eagle.” Ashley shrugged, unsure how she could possibly add more to her schedule.