No. Pete was never my boyfriend. He’s…he’s just the go-to guy, you know? On a Saturday when you can’t make it into Sundre to the liquor store, or whatever, you go see Pete, and he sets you up.”
Nate gritted his teeth. Small potatoes crime, the kind everyone hated but mostly turned a blind eye to as if it would never affect them. “Booze and recreational drugs?” He forced his voice to remain calm and inviting. Damn. Pete seemed to have changed professions, just like Grant had said. There was no doubt in his mind that the local residents probably considered him the community miscreant, but had no idea of his real past.
If he was indeed the man he’d been sent here to find. More than ever now he had to be sure.
“It started out as something fun, something exciting, you know? But then it all changed and I wasn’t sure how to get out. And I was scared to talk to Mom. I knew she’d blow her top about it. In one way…” She blushed. “I guess in a way I’m glad I got caught. Because then it was over and done with. I just hate that I disappointed her.”
Suddenly Jen’s face changed, no longer embarrassed but fearful. “You’re not going to say anything, are you? I mean…gosh, I probably said too much… we just sort of got to a place where we’re okay, you know? Not fighting about it all the time.”
Nate felt guilt spiral through him. He’d actually inspired her trust and now he was indeed going to use what she’d told him. The only thing that made it okay was knowing that in the big picture he was doing the right thing. He had no desire to hurt Jen, or Maggie. On the contrary.
“It’s okay, Jen. I wouldn’t use what you told me against you.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure. Like I said, my job is also to help people.” Helping people by getting rid of scum, he reminded himself. Helping people by getting the information right.
“Yeah, and besides, you’re from the States. So there’s no jurisdiction, right?”
He swallowed. It didn’t matter how long he did this, some things simply didn’t sit right even when they were necessary. He reminded himself of the bigger purpose and lied. “Yeah, that’s right.”
“My mom…she was mad, but I think she was more upset that maybe I was in big trouble. I…I don’t want to hurt my mom again.”
Nate smiled. Jen was a good kid, no matter how much trouble she’d gotten into. He hoped Maggie knew it. It spoke well of her that she was worried about her mom’s feelings. But his concern was Pete.
“How old is this Pete? I mean, does he usually use young girls to move his stuff?”
“I dunno. Old. Like in his forties, I guess. He just moved here a few years ago. He, you know. Tries to keep it on the low. He’s not really hurting anybody. It’s just parties and stuff.”
Nate hid another smile at Jen’s perspective of “old.” At eighteen, he supposed it seemed that way. Yet Maggie fell into that bracket and he wouldn’t consider her old at all. He remembered the sound of her breath catching in her throat when he’d kissed the tip of her finger. No, there was nothing old about Maggie.
He heard a door shut down the hall and he realized whatever information he’d received was all he’d get. But it was enough.
“Hey, Jen, you want some friendly advice?”
“I guess.”
“Make sure you always learn from your mistakes. I can tell that the experience isn’t something you’d care to repeat. Take your lessons learned with you.”
Take your own advice, buddy, a voice inside him said.
“You’re not going to tell my mom? That I told you?”
“Not unless she asks. And you know, she might be really glad to know what you just said. About not wanting to hurt her. Might be a good way to mend some fences.”
“I’ll think about it.”
When Maggie came back in, she put down the cream and ruffled Jen’s hair. “I put your last load in the dryer for you. And hung up your sweater.”
“Thanks.”
Nate tasted cold coffee and suddenly knew what had been plaguing him for the last few weeks. He was homesick. He was missing someone being there for him when he got in trouble, the way Maggie was there for Jennifer. Someone who cared enough to do the little things, for no reason at all. And despite how complicated the trip was rapidly becoming, he was glad he’d somehow ended up at Mountain Haven.
Maggie breathed on her fingers, fumbled with the key and finally got it shoved in the lock.
It turned hard, stiff from the cold and lack of use, but finally the padlock sprung apart and she opened the shed door with a flourish.
“Enter, if you dare.”
She aimed a bright smile up at Nate. He’d been quiet last night after she’d come back in the room, and had excused himself soon after. But this morning he was back to what she assumed was his friendly self. Now he was with her, ready to dig out Tom’s things and see if they were fit for use.
He smiled back, his even teeth flashing white in the frosty air. “I think I mentioned that I was also a marine. I’m not afraid of an itty-bitty shed.”
“Not even of spiders?”
He laughed. “It’s minus a million out here. If they can get through this parka, they deserve a meal.”
He ducked into the shed while Maggie waited just outside the door. His sense of humor was a surprise, but it wasn’t unwelcome.
“You find anything?” Her breath came out in puffy clouds as she called in after him.
“Yeah. Hang on.” A few things rattled and banged as he rearranged articles, pulling things free. Maggie caught a glimpse of his backside as he bent to pick something up from the floor. She stepped away from the door. He was becoming far too alluring and she had to keep her head.
“Incoming!”
She sidestepped quickly as a pair of snowshoes came flying out. When he emerged, cobwebs clung to his coat and hat. She resisted the temptation to reach up and brush them away. Touching him would be a big no-no. She was at least self-aware enough to understand that much.
He proudly held a pair of cross-country skis in one hand and the poles in the other.
“Did you find the boots?”
“Hang on.” He pitched the skis in the snow and went back inside, returning with a dusty pair of black boots with square toes. “Size eleven and a half. Should fit all right, even if I double my socks.”
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