No Secrets or Lies by Rachel Branton

Author:Rachel Branton [Branton, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 978-1-948982-02-3
Publisher: White Star Press
Published: 2018-10-18T00:00:00+00:00

15

The trailhead of the hike Oliver had chosen for them was only ten minutes away. “It’s called Castle Rock Loop,” he said as he parked the truck. “It’s mostly rock and mountain, with a little wild grass and brush. And flowers in the spring. I would have taken you to a place with more trees, but those are an hour away or more, and I wanted to be up before the sun goes down. This trail is a little less busy than others that are also nearby.”

“How far is it?”

“The entire loop is just over two and a half miles. It’s an easy hike. We’ll get up there in plenty of time to see the sunset. I have flashlights for the way down.” He motioned to a small backpack he’d fished from under the seat.

A few other cars were in the parking lot, but their owners were nowhere to be seen as they started up the trail. Five minutes in, a guy on a mountain bike passed them heading down. Halla was happy for a chance to relax. The barbecue had been better than she’d expected, even with Reagan there. She’d felt more embarrassed for the other woman than anything. Maybe Halla could have tried a little more with his mother, but she hadn’t seemed interested until the end.

“I told you I don’t make a good first impression with mothers,” she said.

He frowned. “Your impression was fine. She’s just afraid of losing me again.”

“Did you have a good talk with her in the kitchen? Crystal looked through the window. She thought it looked serious.”

“Which was why she came in, I’m guessing,” Oliver responded with a laugh. “It was a good talk actually. I think it’ll be okay. You’ll like her once you get to know her.”

Would Halla get to know her? Halla didn’t say the words aloud. The way she felt about Oliver, she wanted to know all his family, even a grouchy mother. But how could she be sure her feelings were returned? He hadn’t even kissed her yet. There had been a few times he’d looked close, but nothing had ended up happening. Maybe she should be the one to breach the space between them.

“So why doesn’t Elsie seem happy about her friend’s house?” Oliver asked into the silence that had fallen between them.

Halla waved a flying insect away. “I think she’s afraid of losing him. He might be planning to date another woman. Seriously date, I mean. At least that’s what she thinks.”

“Wait, this is the guy you told me is in love with Elsie? The one she keeps setting up with other people?”

Halla chuckled. “Right. Payden.”

“Well, she can’t expect him to wait around forever,” Oliver said in sympathy. “Especially if she doesn’t feel the same way.”

“That’s just it. I think she does. Or could. But I think she’s so used to being friends that she doesn’t see anything else.”

“He’s the guy who worked for the grocery store, isn’t he?”

Halla hadn’t realized she’d told him that story. “Yes.

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