Page 24 of Property of The Grump

“Is he a scientist?”

“No. He was a logger who loved the lake.”

The priest grins and holds out the bag of bear claws as a gull calls over head. “My dad was a logger too. Long, hard hours those guys put in. He still get out to the lake much?”

“Seventy-two and he still goes every Sunday. I really need to get out there with him again one of these days.” I tuck my hand into the bag and pull out a sticky-sweet claw. “Zane’s schedule kept me really busy, but… yeah.”

“He can’t hold you there. You told him it’s over, so it’s over.” He grips my hand in his and squeezes gently before grabbing out a claw for himself.

“For sure,” I lie, knowing full well what Zane and his family are capable of. “I hope you’re right.” I sigh and bite into the sticky bun with sweet almond paste. “Sometimes, Josie makes these with flavored jams, but this one is my favorite. I’ve tried making copycat versions, but they’re never the same.”

“Something tells me yours are even better. I ate at least four of your cupcakes yesterday.” He grins as the lake water laps a few inches from our feet. “I’m going to have to request those again.”

I smile so wide that my cheeks hurt. “Which ones did you try?”

“Two of each. I had to say like three Hail Mary’s for being so gluttonous. I think everyone would agree that you’re the church baker now.”

I raise my brows and tilt my head to the side as I take another bite of the bear claw, warmth gathering in my chest. “I don’t think Leanne would like that very much. She seemed very offended yesterday at the bake sale when my cupcakes went before her pie, not that she didn’t hate me before then too. I can’t imagine what she’d say if she found out I slept in your bed last night.”

He rolls his eyes to the side. “Leanne doesn’t need to know everything.”

“Yet, shedoesknow everything. I was talking to your mom, and she said Leanne is keeping tabs on everyone in town. That, and it’s obvious she has a thing for you.”

“She has a thing for everyone.”

“Especially you,” I say, the last bite of my bear claw at my lips. “The last thing you need is some weird scandal because you’re helping me out.”

Father Anderson stares out at the lake as though he’s contemplating the universe. Maybe he is. We are here for morning reflection. I’m probably annoying him with all my random talking.

The waves lap the shore, and a few late season wildflowers blow in the breeze as the sun illuminates the turquoise lake. I have a lot to reflect on as well, like what exactly my life looks like now that I’ve separated myself from Zane.

Where do I go long term? What do I do? How do I keep my family safe from him and whatever retaliation he’ll most definitely pursue?

Maybe I’m overthinking it all. Maybe he’ll be glad to get rid of me. It’s not like he enjoyed me much. There was always something he was being passive-aggressive about. I miss the woods too much. I spend too much money. I bake too many high calorie treats. I don’t dress in bright enough colors. My hair isn’t blonde. I could go on.

I guess it’s why it’s felt so good to talk to Father Anderson, and to feel like someone likes me for a change.

“Wren,” Father Anderson sighs, and I glance toward him in time to see a visible lump travel down his throat, “I should tell you something.”

Oh man, priestsarepsychic. Somehow, he knows I had that dream about him. He knows the filthy things I’ve been thinking.

“Yeah?”

I swear I can hear his heart beating from here. Waves lap against the shore, a gull flies low, and I think the leaves change color as I wait for him to respond.

“There’s something about you. You’re strong and smart, but you’re also shy and funny. I don’t meet people like that a lot.”

My chest tightens. “Really? Out of all the people in your parish, you’venevermet a person who doesn’t know what they want?”

He shakes his head and bites back a grin. “What are you talking about? You know what you want.”

“Do I? I’m baking cupcakes, I’m running from my problems, and I let some man treat me like trash for years. How does any of that sound like I know what I want?”

He turns toward me, the white-capped mountains set behind him. “You left him. It doesn’t matter how long it took. You left, and that’s what matters. How can you say you don’t know what you’re meant to do? I saw the pride you had when everyone was enjoying your food yesterday. You genuinely like making people happy, and there aren’t a lot of people like that. That’s why I need to be honest with you.”

My cheeks heat as I hold my gaze toward the rippling turquoise lake. “Honest about what?”

Something bad is coming, I can feel it!