Page 94 of Tempted Hearts
anything on the agenda this morning?
While I waited for him to respond, I got up and jumped in the shower. Refusing to think about the past twenty-four hours, needing distance—both physically and mentally—I kept it quick. Towel around my waist, I headed back into the bedroom.
Beck
late night, just getting up. No agenda. what’s up?
Cole
up for a run?
I had to get out and do something physical, but I also needed to get some of this out. Confiding in the guys wasn’t as comfortable for me as it was for some of them, but I wasn’t stupid enough to think I had all the answers.
Beck
ugh, you’re killing me
And then…
Beck
when? where?
Cole
in front of the bar, 30 minutes
Getting a thumbs-up, I dressed for a run. When I headed downstairs, neither Mason nor Pia—or mini Mason—were anywhere to be found. They were probably inside the pub, cleaning up after the weekend. Summers tended to be busy, but Mondays and Tuesdays were the exception.
By the time I met Beck at the top of the hill in front of O’Malley’s Pub, I was more than ready to let the adrenaline flow.
“Lackawanna Trail?” I asked.
Beck looked more like a surfer than a runner, but he could hang.
“You wake me up early, ask me to go on a run, and then choose one with hills. Seriously?”
We started to jog.
“It builds character.”
“It might build quadriceps. Character? Not so sure. I’ve been running that trail my whole life and only recently learned to appreciate it.”
“I’m not convinced you would’ve if Mae hadn’t returned.”
“You’re not wrong,” he said.
“How’s she doing?” I asked. “How’s the business?”
We talked about both the bar and Mae’s business—they were partners in both. By the time we reached the hill, neither of us spoke. One of the benefits of the Lackawanna Trail was the view. When we reached the top, my legs burning, I put my hands on my knees and bent over, catching my breath. Then I looked up.
The lake stretched out below us, calm and glassy after yesterday’s storm, mist still clinging to the edges of the hills like it wasn’t ready to let go.
“You know we’re only halfway, right?” Beck said. “And then we have to go back.”
“We never actually stop and look,” I said, gesturing toward the lake. “Just trying to appreciate our surroundings.”
He squinted at me. “Appreciate your surroundings? Okay, what the hell is going on with you? Is this about Jules?”
