He stood up again and slowly paced back and forth in front of Phoebe. “Well, before you got here . . . before I knew you. . .” He blew out a long slow breath. “I overheard Anna talking to Alyssa about you coming. Anna said something about how you had gotten arrested and that your dad was sending you to live here.”
“So what, Billy, you just decided, what the heck—I’ll go tell my soon-to-be ex-girlfriend about this? Is that what happened?” Anger warmed Phoebe’s blood as she imagined Billy and Sarah having a good laugh at her expense.
Billy didn’t say anything, but the expression on his face answered her question.
“And, what was that whispering about?” Phoebe went on. Phoebe could only imagine what had caused Sarah to cackle like a Halloween witch. “Were you telling her more juicy gossip about me?”
“That’s not what happened.”
Phoebe looked away. She didn’t want Billy to see the tears that had filled her eyes.
“Please, Phoebe, look at me.” Billy pleaded.
When she put her back to him, he moved to face her. Then, kneeling down before her, he looked in her eyes.
“Yes, I told her. It was stupid. I was helping Anna clean out that bedroom for you when Sarah stopped by. She asked me why you were coming here, and I told her. I know I shouldn’t have. And I know it’s not an excuse, but I didn’t know you then. And, I didn’t feel how I feel now.” Billy shook his head. “That doesn’t matter. I never should have repeated what I’d overheard. Anyway, when she showed up at the restaurant I had a feeling she would say something about it so I asked her not to. That’s what I whispered in her ear.”
“Then why did she laugh? Maybe I just don’t have a sense of humor but that doesn’t seem like something that would make her laugh the way she did.”
“You’re right,” Billy said, nodding his head. “I was so mad at her when she did that because I knew she was just trying to make you think we were talking about you. She’s like that.”
“So, right after you asked her not to say anything about my arrest, she blurts it out in front of everyone? Nice.”
“I know. It was an awful thing to do, and I wish I could go back and change it.”
“You sure didn’t seem upset the other night Billy. You should have said something right then and there.” Phoebe stood up and started heading back down the trail. “I shouldn’t have come here Billy.”
“Wait, Phoebe. Please.” Billy rushed to catch her and when he did, he took hold of her arm. “Please Phoebe. Don’t leave. You’re right. I should have spoken up. That’s a problem I have—it’s part of the reason things got so out of hand with my dad. I need to be better about speaking up in situations like that. Plus, I was nervous and embarrassed about the way she was acting. She can be really obnoxious.”
“You think?”
“I’m sorry Phoebe.” He reached out and took her hand in his, and she pulled it away.
“I wish I could go back to that night and do everything differently. Believe me, I would.”
“Really?” Phoebe glared at him. “Tell me the truth Billy. Were you lying that day in the cabin when you said you didn’t know about my dad? Because if that’s true, you’re the only one in this whole town who didn’t know about it.” Phoebe held her arms out and made a big sweeping gesture.
“I wasn’t lying, I promise.” Billy followed Phoebe as she headed away from the trailhead. “I didn’t know about your dad until you told me about him. I’m not from here. I only started living in Iron Springs full time a year ago. All these other people have lived here their whole lives.” Billy stopped walking and took hold of Phoebe’s arm. “People like Sarah live for this kind of stuff. That’s one of the reasons I broke up with her. She loves to gossip. And in a small town like Iron Springs, what happened with your dad is big news.”
Phoebe searched Billy’s eyes. Was he telling the truth?
“Feebs, this is what I have been trying to tell you for days. I acted like a jerk, I know that. And I’m sorry. But, I wanted you to know what really happened—not what appeared to be happening. I could see it looked bad. Sarah made sure of that. But, I would never do anything to hurt you.” He pulled Phoebe into his arms and spoke in her ear. “I love you, Phoebe.”
Phoebe pulled back and looked into his eyes. “You do?”
Billy nodded.
Phoebe could sense the sincerity in Billy’s words. She allowed herself to relax in his arms as she thought about how often she had gossiped with her friends about people she didn’t know. Billy hadn’t done anything worse than that. He had passed on some juicy information about her to Sarah—something she probably would have done if she had been in his place. “I love you too,” Phoebe said. She rested her head on his shoulder.
“This is the point where you forgive me,” Billy whispered.
“I forgive you.” She took a step back and looked at Billy. “But, I need you to do one thing.”
“Anything.”
“Tell her you’re not her boyfriend.”
“I already did. I called her after we left the restaurant and told her that I was dating you. I also told her how childish it was of her to act the way she did.”
“What did she say?”
“She acted like she was innocent. It’s how she does things. She whined and apologized—but what she did was intentional, and I told her that I wasn’t buying her naive act.”
Phoebe pressed her lips to Billy’s. “Thanks for doing that.”
“So, we’re good? You forgive me?”
“Yes.” She gazed into his eyes. When he lowered his head and kissed her, she knew the matter was over.
“Thank you for the canvas. I love it.”
“You’re welcome, Feebs. Will you paint something for me?”
Phoebe knew immediately the scene she would paint for Billy. “Yes.”
Twenty One
“Billy, I need. . .” Phoebe inhaled deeply through her nose before slowly exhaling through her mouth. “. . . I need a break. Are we almost there?” She stopped walking and leaned over clutching her side.
“Just a couple more switch backs, Feebs.” Billy put a hand on her back and gently rubbed it.
“Just?” She looked up at Billy. “Are you sure this is easier than Mount Everest?”
“I’m sure this one’s almost as hard as Everest,” Billy chuckled, “Maybe even a little harder. And look at you, you’re doing great.”
“Great? I’m panting and wheezing, and you’re strolling along like this is a walk in the park.”
“Well, you’re just not used to this altitude.”
“Yeah, that must be it,” Phoebe said between huffing and puffing. “After all, I’ve only been in Iron Springs for eight weeks.”
“True.” Billy laughed. “But Iron Springs is way down there.” He pointed his finger toward the base of the mountain. “Let’s take a break.” He sat down on the side of the trail and motioned for her to sit beside him.
Phoebe joined him and after a few minutes, her pulse had returned to normal.
Billy turned slightly so he could face her. He covered her hand with his and looked her in the eyes.
“What’s that look about?”
“I was just thinking about you leaving Iron Springs. I wish you didn’t have to go.”
Phoebe nodded her head. She had been feeling the same way. “I know; me too. I only have a month left.”
“Do you think you’ll ever come back?” He took her by the hand and started back up the trail. “I mean . . . to live here?”
“Maybe. I hope so.”
“I do too.”
“Seattle’s only a day’s drive. Maybe you could come visit me.”
“I’m planning on it, for sure. Probably sooner than you want me to.”
“That’s not possible.” She gave him a playful smile. “If I had my way, I’d take you home with me.”
Billy smiled. “Your dad might have something to say about that.”
“Will you really? I mean
, will you come to Seattle?”
“Phoebe, I’d fly to the moon to see you.” They stopped hiking and Billy pulled her into a hug. “Nowhere is too far for me to come if it means I’ll get to see you.” He bent down and kissed her lips.
***
Phoebe ran her arm across her sweaty forehead when she finally traversed the summit. Her legs ached, her face was beet red, and her energy was spent.
“Man that was a hard hike.” She glanced at Billy and was surprised that, for the first time since they started the hike, he was breathing hard. “You actually got a little bit winded during that last part.”
Billy nodded. “That’s a steep hill to climb. Look over there, Feebs.” He pointed to a spot a short distance from where they were standing. There, nestled in a group of tall aspen trees was her father’s bench.
Phoebe’s tired legs ran as though they had been filled with renewed energy. When she neared the bench, she slowed down and approached it, taking in its distinctive craftsmanship and rustic appearance. She ran her hand along the bench’s curved back before sitting on its weathered boards.
My mother sat in this spot. She took in the beautiful scene before her. In the painting, it was winter time. But now, in the summer, she admired a beautiful sea of pine trees that stretched for as far as her eyes could see. The thought that she was in the place her dad proposed gave her goose bumps. She looked over her shoulder and saw Billy standing a ways off. Smiling at him she patted her hand on the bench beside her. “Come sit with me.”
He smiled and moved toward her. He sat down on the bench and wrapped his arm around her. She nuzzled close to him and rested her head on his shoulder. “It’s so beautiful here.”
“I know. I can see why your dad wanted to propose in this spot. How could she say no?”
“I sure couldn’t,” Phoebe said before she realized how her words might have sounded. “I mean. . . I wasn’t saying that—
“I know what you were saying Feebs.” Billy laughed. “Did you notice this?” He took her hand and led her to the back side of the bench. He pointed to the words inscribed into the wood. “I noticed it when I walked up.”
Phoebe’s voice cracked when she read the words, engraved on a metal plaque attached to the bench, aloud.
“In Loving Memory of My Bessie.”
She ran her fingers over the inscription while tears cascaded down her cheeks.
“My dad did this.” In her mind, she could see him making the hike to this spot after losing his wife. She imagined the tears that must have fallen from his eyes and the heartache he must have endured. The longer she was in Iron Springs, the more she came to know her father in a way she never had before. In that moment, she vowed to be a better daughter.
“Thank you for bringing me here, Billy. I will never forget this day.”
“Neither will I,” Billy said. He leaned over and kissed her softly before Billy wrapping her up in an embrace.
“I could stay in this spot forever,” Phoebe said, as the afternoon sun began to sink behind the mountain. “That is if I wasn’t starving. What did you pack?”
Billy stood and held his hand out to Phoebe. Helping her to her feet, he led her to a shady spot near the bench.
He spread a blanket on the ground and unpacked their lunch. Phoebe sprawled out on the blanket while Billy fixed her a plate. This has to be the most beautiful place on earth, she thought as she stared into the clear blue sky.
“The chicken salad is from Anna.” He admitted when Phoebe’s eyes widened after seeing it. “But, I cut up the fruit.” His face filled with pride as he popped a grape in his mouth. Phoebe giggled at the satisfaction he had over his kitchen skills—or lack of kitchen skills.
After eating two sandwiches, Phoebe collapsed on the blanket. “If I eat another bite you’ll have to roll me down the mountain.”
Billy leaned over her and pressed his lips to hers. “No more chicken salad for you then.” He kissed her nose and then her forehead before returning to his lunch. When he was finished eating, he lay back on the blanket and pulled Phoebe close to him. She rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes.
***
Emerging into the clearing that led to Anna’s house, Phoebe stopped and turned around. “I can’t believe I hiked that.” Her eyes were drawn to the highest mountain peak and she smiled as she admired it. Knowing that her father’s bench was safely tucked away under the protection of hundreds of towering pine trees gave her a warm feeling inside. As she studied the scene, she felt a connection to the place that she knew would stay with her always.
“Can I ask you something?” Billy asked as they made their way toward Anna’s house.
“Sure.” She glanced at him. “Is something wrong?” His expression was somber.
“It’s nothing bad, Feebs.” He smiled at her.
“Okay. I just get worried when someone asks if they can ask me something. It seems like that question is always followed by something bad.”
Billy smiled. “It’s nothing bad. It’s just that, Saturday is my mom’s birthday. I was hoping you would come to my parent’s with me. I want you to meet my family.”
Phoebe hesitated for a moment before answering. After everything Billy had done for her, she couldn’t exactly say no, could she? What if his father found her unsuitable, she wondered as she remembered the word Billy’s father had used to describe the type of girl he thought Billy should marry?
“Are you sure it’s okay?”
“I already brought it up with my mom, and she said she’d love to meet you.”
It’s not your mom I’m worried about.
“What about your dad?” The hesitation she felt was evident in her tone. Her eyes shifted nervously from Billy to the ground and then back to Billy.
“Don’t worry about my dad, he’ll love you. How could he not?”
Phoebe didn’t respond, but she could think of plenty of reasons why Billy’s parents wouldn’t like her. Apparently they like snooty Sarah. And Phoebe was no Sarah. She wasn’t beautiful and perfect looking. She wasn’t snotty and stuck up and rude. Plus, Billy’s father sounded like the kind of man who surrounded himself with people just like himself. And, if there was one thing Phoebe knew without even meeting him, it was that she was not like him. And then, there was her arrest. Phoebe assumed Billy hadn’t told them about it. But, in a town the size of Iron Springs, she could be certain someone had. That bit of information was sure to work against her.
As they headed toward the house, Phoebe spotted Anna in the clearing. She was sitting on the ground beside Bandit. “They must be out for a walk,” Phoebe said, taking Billy’s hand and heading toward the spot where Anna and Bandit were sitting. As they got closer, Phoebe could see that Anna’s face was red and wet with tears. She hastened to Anna’s side.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, sitting down on Bandit’s other side. Billy knelt down and placed a hand on Bandit’s back.
Anna glanced up at Phoebe; her eyes were red. She started to speak but no words came out of her mouth.
“He’s gone, isn’t he?” Phoebe said. She glanced from Anna to Billy.
Billy put an ear to Bandit’s stationary chest and listened for a moment. Then, sitting back up, he nodded. “Yes, he is.”
“I thought a short walk would do him good,” Anna said, her voice quivering. “He hasn’t been feeling well and being all cooped up in the house isn’t good for him. “We got to this spot, and he just stretched out on the ground, closed his eyes and . . .” She wiped a tear from her cheek. “And then he was gone.”
Phoebe laid her head on Bandit’s back and let her tears fall on his soft fur. She had grown to love her mother’s dog. He had become as good a friend to her as any friend she had ever known. And now he was gone. Just like that.
Anna swallowed and rubbed her face with her hands. She glanced toward the sky and a smile crossed her face. “I’ll bet there were never two friends so happy to be reunited as Bessie and Bandit are right now.”
&n
bsp; Billy picked Bandit’s lifeless body up and carried him to the house. That evening, he was buried beneath the willow tree—Phoebe chose the spot as she could think of no better place for Bandit to rest.
Twenty Two
Billy drove Phoebe home from work the next day and waited in the truck while she headed inside to change so they could head to town for dinner. But before Phoebe even stepped foot in the foyer, Anna rushed from the living room to meet her. “Oh, am I ever glad to see you.”
“What’s wrong Anna?” Phoebe asked.
“You need to call Jenna right away.” Anna handed Phoebe the cordless phone.
“Why? What’s up?”
“I have no idea. But, she has been trying to reach you for hours. She and Dave came by about an hour ago to see if you were home yet. She said it’s important.”
Phoebe hastily punched in Jenna’s cell phone number while racing back outside.
“Hello? Jenna?” Phoebe tried to focus on the frantic words that were spilling out of Jenna’s mouth. Jenna was talking so fast and in such a high pitched tone that Phoebe had to hold the phone out in order to save her ear from serious damage.
“Jenna, slow down. Start over and tell me what’s going on?”
“I found it! I searched through all the stuff I brought home and there it was; practically the last thing in the box.” We’re on our way! Stay there.” Jenna demanded and then she was gone.
Dave’s truck sped up the road leaving a cloud of dust behind it. He slowed to a stop just in time for Jenna to leap out. She hurried to the porch where Phoebe and Billy were waiting.
“Look!” She cried, throwing her arms around Phoebe. “I found the auction record.”
Phoebe quickly searched the document until her eyes landed on the words Opal Cameo Broach.
“There it is!” Her heart pounded as she pointed to the words. She traced her finger across the rows until she came to the list of donors. “Spencer Lewis.” She read the name aloud. “Spencer Lewis donated the cameo?”
Summer In Iron Springs Page 21
