Never Knowing

“That would be great. Thank you so much, Billy.”

“Hey, we always get our man — or dog.” We laughed.

I called Ally’s school and they said they’d let her know. Evan got the call next and he was thrilled. It took some serious self-control on my part not to make a snarky comment about the gate, but as usual he read my mind.

“I still think I shut the gate, but maybe I’m wrong.” I was just happy we had Moose, so I dropped it. When I told him Billy was bringing Moose over right away he said, “That’s nice of him.”

“Yeah, he’s been a huge help,” I said. “And not just with finding Moose. He’s also teaching me how to calm down and focus when I’m upset.”

Silence from the other end of the phone.

“Hello?”

“How exactly is he teaching you?”

“I don’t know, lots of ways. Like he gives me tasks so I have something to channel my energy into.”

“I tell you to do the same thing.”

Evan’s tone was starting to piss me off. “It’s different when he does it. He’s a cop, not my fiance. You get annoyed.”

“I don’t get annoyed. I just think you get yourself freaked out over nothing sometimes.”

“And you make me feel like I’m just some crazy stress case.” I knew I should pull back, knew comparing him to Billy was going to backfire big time, but anger pushed the words out of my mouth. “Billy doesn’t make me feel like crap.” “Well, I don’t like you hanging out with him.”

“He’s the cop handling my case!”

“So what’s he doing driving around looking for Moose, then?”

“I can’t believe you’re being like this—”

The doorbell rang.

Evan said, “Is someone there?”

“I told you Billy was bringing Moose over.”

“Then I guess you better let him in.” He hung up.

Moose was wriggling so much that Billy almost dropped him handing him over. Once Moose and I finished our joyous reunion, which involved a lot of grunting and snuffling on his part, I offered Billy a coffee.

“Sure, I’ll take a quick one.”

I poured us both a cup and we were heading toward the living room when he stopped at the door to the garage.

“Is this where your shop is?”

“Yeah, we keep talking about building one in the back, but I like being closer to the house.”

“Can I see it?”

“Sure, but it’s a mess.” I opened the door.

I showed him some of my equipment, laughing when he turned on the sander and revved it up. A typical guy, he had to try all Evan’s power tools. After he shut the last one off, he walked over to the cherry lamp table and ran his hand across the surface.

“Is this what you’re working on?”

“Yup, I just stripped it yesterday.” I came over to stand near him and rested my hand on the table. “It’s still rough in spots.”

I looked up at the sound of heavy boot steps in the kitchen. The door swung open. We both jumped back. Billy’s arm pushed me behind him.

My dad’s large frame filled the doorway. His eyes focused on Billy, then at Billy’s hand protectively in front of me.

“Dad! You scared the bejesus out of me.” I held my hand over my heart. The tools must’ve drowned out the sound of his truck.

“I knocked. Door was open.” He stepped into the shop.

“This is Billy, Dad. One of my clients.”

Dad nodded his head in greeting but didn’t smile. He gave Billy the once-over, then turned to me.

“Lauren said Moose was missing, so I came to see if you needed help.”

“Thanks, Dad, but he was returned this morning.”

He grunted. “I see that.” His gaze focused back on Billy. “You’re with the RCMP?”

“Yeah, almost fifteen years now.”

“You know Ken Safford?”

“Not sure I do.…”

“What about Pete Jenkins?”

“Don’t think so. I just transferred over from the mainland, so I’m still trying to get to know everyone.” I was impressed with how smoothly Billy was able to lie.

“Well, I should get going,” he said. “Thanks for the coffee. Just e-mail me the new quote when you have it ready, Sara.”

“Okay. Want me to walk you out?”

“Nah, I’m good. Visit with your dad.”

Dad didn’t move, forcing Billy to step around him. Dad and I were left alone. I shivered in the cold garage.

“See the table I’m working on?” He glanced at it and nodded. “Did you want a cup of coffee?” Dad never sat around and drank coffee, but he surprised me.

“If it’s fresh.”

He was standing at the sliding glass door staring out into the backyard when I handed it to him. He nodded, then said, “You guys need some more wood?”

“I think we’re okay. It’s warming up.”

“Ask Evan next time he calls. If he needs some he can let me know.” Of course I should ask Evan — God forbid a woman would know anything.

He took a gulp of coffee. Still staring into the backyard he said, “Evan’s a good man.”

“That’s why I’m marrying him, Dad.”

He grunted and took another sip. “You better get your head screwed on straight, Sara, or you’re going to lose everything.”

Tears stung my eyes. “My head is screwed on straight. Is this because of what Melanie said about Billy? I told you, he’s just a client. Evan knows him, and—”

“I’ve got to get back to camp.” He turned around and set his cup on the counter. At the door he said, “It doesn’t look good, Sara — another man being here when Evan’s away.”

“It doesn’t look good? For who?” But he was walking to his truck. I followed him. “Dad, you can’t just come over and say stuff like that, then leave.”

As he climbed into his truck he said, “Tell Evan your gutters need to be cleaned, looks like the left one’s been overflowing.”

Before I could say anything else, he closed his door and started backing down the driveway. I stared after him until the sound of his diesel truck faded in the distance.

As I walked back into the kitchen my cell rang. I checked the call display. It was John. Was he still mad about my wedding date? What if he found out I lied about something else? Stop. Calm down. Just answer the phone or he’ll be really angry. I swallowed hard and took a few breaths.

“Hello?”

“You can’t lie to me again.”

“I wasn’t—” Don’t argue. “You’re right, I’m sorry.”