I’d seen him only the two times. It didn’t matter, though; he was almost constantly in my thoughts. Yes, I was curious about the house, but I was afraid I was beginning to want Nick, and that shook me to the point of insomnia. I’d given up on relationships, and with ample reason. I needed someone to hit me alongside the head. One would think that by now I would have learned my lesson. How many times did I need to get burned before I faced reality? The answer to that was as daunting as the question.
As for Nick’s late-night visits, I wondered if he was thinking of me, too. The thought made me uncomfortable. It was as if I waited for him in my sleep. For whatever reason, my brain seemed to be tuned in to him and Elvis. Both times I’d woken out of deep dreams to wonder what had woken me. Intuitively, I knew it was Nick. Tossing aside the covers, I went to the balcony and, sure enough, I saw him and Elvis walking around Jo Marie’s prize rose garden. Once I found Nick sitting inside the gazebo, hunched forward as if the weight of the world was bearing down upon his shoulders. My heart ached for him and I felt the strongest urge to join him, comfort him. As difficult as it was, I resisted, knowing he wouldn’t welcome my company.
As if drawn by an invisible force, Nick glanced over his shoulder and looked up toward my room and saw me on the balcony.
He stood then, his figure silhouetted in the moonlight, and continued to stare at me. It was too dark for our eyes to meet, which was just as well. For the briefest of moments I was tempted to race outside and wrap him in my arms. Hard as it was, I decided against it.
After what seemed like an eternity, Nick slowly turned and walked away. Elvis lingered and Nick had to softly call him to his side before the German shepherd would move. Elvis trotted away, came to the edge of the property, and paused, looking back at me before joining his master.
After Nick was gone, it took me a long time to fall back asleep. When the alarm went off a few hours later, I groaned. Glancing outside, I saw that the sky was overcast and dark, threatening rain. It was the perfect excuse to decide against my morning run. However, I knew if I put it off even once it would make it harder tomorrow and even more so the next day. I’ve run in the rain plenty of times, and I knew better than to make it an excuse to stay in bed.
As much as I wanted to linger in the warmth of my blankets, I dressed in my running shorts and a long-sleeved top. I tied my hair into a loose ponytail, thrust a cap on my head, and bounced down the stairs. The inn was quiet when I slipped out the door; the only sound was the soft beep of the alarm system.
By rote I followed my normal path, turning the corner on Bethel Street. My gaze instinctively went to the house and Nick. I almost decided against running through the orchard. But then I saw Elvis and knew he’d been waiting for me. I couldn’t disappoint him.
My conversation with Jo Marie on Saturday stayed in my mind. She said it was a shame that Nick had given up visiting the inn at night. I hadn’t told her that he’d apparently had a change of heart.
My thoughts were full of Nick, Elvis, Jo Marie, and Cedar Cove, and apparently I wasn’t paying close enough attention because my foot caught on an exposed tree root and I stumbled. Before I could catch myself I fell forward, landing flat on my face. At first I was too stunned to move. I took a moment to collect myself. I managed to get into a seated position, brushed off the dirt and grit from my hands and knees. I had mud on my face, literally.
Grumbling under my breath at my own stupidity, I tried to stand. Right away pain shot up my leg and caused me to gasp. I’d managed to twist my ankle. With some effort, I got into a standing position, but I found it impossible to walk. Using the tips of the toes on my injured foot, I took a tentative step forward, cried out at the agony,