“We will.” Sometime in the past week they’d gone from singular to plural. It felt good to have Zach’s help. “I’m still thinking Mom’s former business partner might be behind all this.” After the conversation with her mother about the events of twenty years ago, Carolyn had confided in Zach.
“It was a long time ago,” he pointed out.
“I know, but I can’t think of anyone else who might have a grudge against my family. We’ve never even fired an employee.” Carolyn had combed her memory for any incident, no matter how small, that might be coming back to bite them now. “I really think it could be her.”
“From what your mother said, Marta wasn’t the type to put together a complex revenge scheme. She didn’t appear to have the right psychological makeup for that. And what would be her motivation at this point?”
“I don’t know,” Carolyn said, not letting the idea go. “I just can’t get it out of my head.” Her gut was sending her a message. She’d learned long ago not to ignore those. “I’m going to do a little research.”
“No problem. I’ll keep this guy entertained.” Zach tickled Austin while he spoke. “We’re hiking later, though.”
“I haven’t forgotten. Give me an hour.” While Zach took Austin into the living room to play, Carolyn grabbed her laptop and started searching any information on a Marta Huntly in Sheridan Falls, Virginia. The name wasn’t too common, so she hoped some records would be available.
After following several false leads, she came across an obituary from two years before. Fifty-eight-year-old Marta Huntly had died suddenly at home. It appeared she’d been unmarried at the time of her death, as no spouse was listed. She was survived by a son, Dale, and had been predeceased by a daughter, Gloria. Carolyn’s breath caught in her throat. Despite her feelings about what Marta had done twenty years ago, she wouldn’t wish that kind of grief on anyone. Shuddering, she closed the laptop, wanting nothing more than to hold Austin close.
“Find anything?” Zach asked, returning to the kitchen.
“Marta passed away two years ago, it seems,” she replied.
“That settles the question if she could be involved.” Zach put his hand on her shoulder. “Let’s get out of the house and go for that hike.”
“Sounds great.” She pulled herself away from sad thoughts to focus on having fun with her guys. “I’ll get Austin changed.”
“Already done,” Zach said. It surprised her again how easily he’d taken on the responsibility of being a father.
They drove ten miles outside of town to a state park that had several trails. While they were first together, she and Zach had hiked all over the park. Zach had introduced her to the activity, and she soon loved it as much as he did.
“I thought we’d take the Lone Elm trail,” Zach said after they parked. “It’s not long, but somebody has short legs.” He pointed in the back seat.
“Perfect,” she said, since they’d probably end up carrying Austin most of the hike.
She slung the day pack over her shoulder and followed Zach and Austin onto the shaded trail. The first part wound uphill gradually until it reached the lone elm tree at the highest point. They sat at the bench under the tree and looked out at the small valley before them. Austin had walked some and was tired enough to sit between them.
“I haven’t been here in a long time,” Zach commented.
“Me either.” They didn’t say what they were thinking: that they were last there together more than two years before.
“We should make it a goal to hike a different trail every weekend,” he suggested.
“Including the expert ones?” She pointed down at Austin’s head.
“We’ll get one of those kid backpacks. I’ve seen other families with those here.”
Other families? Had he intentionally or unconsciously used the word? Either way, she liked the idea of a family activity. Austin, who had been sitting very still, reached out and touched the bracelet she wore, drawing Zach’s attention to it.
“One of your designs?” Zach asked. “It’s pretty.”
“I…thanks.” She stumbled over the words. How did he know she’d designed the bracelet of intertwined silver and gold braids? “How long have you known?”
He grinned at her. “I saw a couple pieces on your dresser. That bracelet and a necklace.”
“But what makes you think I designed them?” She’d never mentioned it to anyone, unsure of her abilities.
“Back when we lived together, I occasionally saw sketches of jewelry—although I think you tried to hide them from me. I was hoping you’d tell me about them someday, but I see I had to be the one to bring up your talent,” he said with a grin.
She had tried to hide her designs, tucking them away when Zach was home on leave and bringing them out to help fill the time and occupy her mind so she wouldn’t worry while he was on a mission. Only a few of her ideas had become actual pieces of jewelry. She’d learned how to design and make jewelry in art classes during college but rarely used her skills.
“I thought the pieces were beautiful then, and I still do,” Zach added. He put his arm across the back of the bench and touched her shoulder. “You should consider selling them at All That Sparkles.”
She felt herself blush at his compliment. “I don’t know about that.” The designs pleased her, but she was never sure if they were good enough to entice others to purchase them.
“Lookee,” Austin shrieked, pointing up the elm tree to where a squirrel scampered across a limb.
“Squirrel.” Carolyn enunciated the word.
“I want,” the boy said.
“No squirrels in the house,” Carolyn admonished jokingly. “They’d eat all our peanut butter. We’ll just look at them outside.”
“I bet if we keep walking, we’ll find other animals. I believe there’s a pond on this trail with fish and frogs,” Zach said, making Austin hop off the bench in excitement. The boy turned, grabbing a hand from each his parents as if he’d yank them up. Zach played along, pretending to fly up and stumble forward. Austin laughed in delight at his daddy’s antics. Carolyn was pleased by them as well.
“Nice slapstick,” she murmured to Zach when they’d started toward the pond.
“It’s fun having a kid to play with,” he said before frowning. He took a glance at Austin, who’d stopped to pick up leaves. “Sweetheart, I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you when you were pregnant or when Austin was an infant. I don’t know anything about babies, but I could have walked the floors with him at least.”
“I’m sorry you didn’t get the chance to be with him.” She sighed, acknowledging it was an emotional speech for the normally guarded man. “Zach, we can’t change what happened, but I’m glad you’re here now.”
“So am I.” He leaned in, giving her one kiss before scooping up Austin.
They made their way back to the parking lot after a stop at the pond, where Zach caught a frog and held it just long enough for Austin to touch the creature. Austin kept up a steady babble of frog, frog, ribbit, frog during the drive home. Following a quick cleanup, Zach took Austin to his room for a nap.