When Summer Comes by Brenda Novak

Author:Brenda Novak [Novak, Brenda]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Mira
Published: 2012-02-06T13:00:00+00:00

15

“What did all that mean?”

Reluctant to look at Callie, who was crouched in front of his chair, staring up at him, Levi pinched the bridge of his nose. “You don’t want to know.”

“Chief Stacy said your service in the military didn’t show up in his background search.”

“That’s what he said.”

She nudged his leg. “Why?”

Blowing out a sigh, he returned her gaze. “Because my name isn’t McCloud, okay?”

Eyes wide, she rocked back. “Then...who are you?”

For some reason, her crestfallen expression made him angry. He didn’t want to see her so shocked and upset, didn’t want to be the cause of it. “Does it matter?” he snapped. “You knew I was wanted by the police.”

“You said it was for speeding tickets! But Stacy said you had no speeding tickets. And, even if you really do, a couple of speeding tickets is no reason to assume a false identity.”

“It’s as good a reason as any. Why go to jail? Anyway, I’m just helping you out for a few days. We’re never going to see each other after I leave. So how is my name even important? Would Smith or Jones or Hall be any better than McCloud for some man who once painted your barn?”

He was being a jerk, but he couldn’t say why. He had no excuse to be unkind to Callie. It was the police chief who’d hit him with reality and made him want to strike back. Callie hadn’t done anything except try to help him.

Fortunately, she didn’t make matters worse by appearing wounded. She came right back at him. “Are you that determined not to care about anyone? And not to let anyone care about you?”

“I told you from the beginning not to expect anything from me!” Desperate to put some space between them, he got up and approached the mantel, where a large gilded mirror showed him the conflicting emotions on his face.

Rising to her feet, she spoke from behind him. “Then go, if that’s what you’re dying to do! Nothing’s stopping you.”

“Except my word. I’ll pay you back before I leave.”

“You’ve already done enough. You don’t owe me anything. Consider the money I spent on your bike a...a gift—from one stranger to another.”

He whirled to confront her. “And what about Denny Seamans and his buddy? They probably set the fire in the barn tonight. You know that. They could come back.”

“I can handle them myself,” she insisted. “I don’t need you any more than you need me.”

“Fine.” He no longer had his leather coat, his backpack, his extra clothes and shoes—just what he had on his back and the boots he’d worn the night he was attacked by those dogs. He’d cleaned off the blood and left them by the back door to dry. But that was enough. He’d always been able to fend for himself. It was when others depended on him that life got complicated.

So she was right—it was best that he leave now, before whatever had started here grew any messier.

But his steps slowed as he reached the door.

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