Rock and A Hard Place (Cascade Brides Series) (12 page)

When they arrived at the flat lookout area, Shane shook his head in
apparent wonder as he looked out at the snow-capped mountains.
“Takes your breath away.”

Faith followed his gaze. “Yep.”

He sent her a sidelong look. “You don't seem impressed.”

“I am. It's just that I've been here
many
times.”

He grinned. “Yeah, I forgot, you've been doing this for
years
.”

“And let me guess,” she said, unable to resist, “this is your
first view that isn't from a book.”

“Ha ha,” he said in a dry voice. Shane placed his hands on the
split-rail cedar fencing that was more for visual appeal than
safety. “So how many times would you say you've climbed the
girls?”

She raised her brows. “You means the Sisters' peaks?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, never, actually.”

His shocked expression swung her way. “What? Seriously?”

“Why does that surprise you?”

“I guess I just thought you were this climbing fiend.”

Faith frowned, sensing he was baiting her. “I've climbed a lot of
areas. Just not those mountains.”

“Why?”

“Never got around to it.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “Or could it be you're
avoiding them?”

“That's ridiculous.”

“Why? It seems to me it would be one of the first places you'd
climb. Or at least your own namesake.”

Faith felt heat spread up her neck. “Because I once took a
picture?”

“Yes. And I can't help but wonder if you're avoiding those sisters
in the same way you're avoiding your real sisters.”

Heat ignited into fury. “Don't presume to know me or my
motivations,” she said, outrage kicking up her respiration.

“Wouldn't dream of it,” he said, his manner cooling fast.
“Because you won't let anyone in. Not even Merle.”

Faith was about to demand the reason for such a statement, but
realized it was futile. She turned to head back down the trail.

Shane took her hand, halting her. “Faith, I see what you're doing,
how you're living your life, and it grieves me because I was there
once in my own life.”

She looked at his hand, then at him, struggling to keep the contempt
from her voice. “Let go of me.”

He dropped her hand, but moved to block the path. “You know, the
peak named Faith? It's the oldest and most difficult to climb
because of erosion and rockfall. I find that strangely telling.”

“You don't know
anything
about me or what I've gone
through!” She pushed past him, hot tears threatening to spill down
her cheeks—something she did
not
want him to see.

“Listen, I get that you had it tough when you were in high school,
I get the bitterness and disillusionment because I was there too.
But is that any reason to avoid your family? Your friends?”

“It's none of your business,” Faith said through a clenched jaw,
her blurred vision making it a struggle to see the path. Shane's
steps sounded right behind her. She increased her pace, desperate to
get control of her tears before reaching the Jeep.

“Even Merle has sensed you pulling away. What's really going on?”

Faith ignored him, wanting the refuge of the truck while realizing
it was no refuge at all.

Suddenly her boot caught on a root and jerked her foot to one side.
Her tender ankle protested and she pitched forward, gasping in
unexpected pain.

Before she hit the ground, a hand hooked around her belt, halting
her fall. Shane pulled her back, then scooped her up into his arms.

“Put me down!”

“Sorry. I saw the way your bad ankle twisted.”

Mortified beyond belief, Faith turned her head away so he couldn't
see her tears, desperate to get herself under control before they
got back to the Jeep. As he approached the vehicle, Shane hoisted
her a little higher and opened the passenger door, then lowered her
onto the seat. Before she could speak, he untied her boot and gently
pulled it off.

She pushed his hands away. “I'm fine.”

This time, he ignored her. He yanked the first aid kit from behind
the seat and cracked open a cold pack. Faith jumped when the cold
hit her skin. But it braced her tattered emotions. Shane loosely
wrapped gauze around her ankle to keep the cold pack in place, then
positioned the first aid kit on the floor and under her foot so it
was elevated. When he was done, she chanced a peek and was dismayed
by his grim expression.

What did
he
have to be angry about? The offense was all on
her side!

Shane went around the Jeep and climbed into the driver's seat. “That
ankle should've been better by now. It's because you're not taking
care of it that it refuses to heal.”

“Thank you, Doctor Zadopec.”

“And I can see it's a theme with you in other areas of your life.”
He started the Jeep and pulled out of the parking area.

It took Faith a moment to understand his words. “So not only are
you a doctor, now you're my
psychiatrist?
”

He merged onto the highway after descending the hill. “Just
stating the obvious.”

“I don't need you to state anything, Shane. Why can't you get that
through your head?”

“Because it's affecting my uncle, that's why. He was hoping I
could find out what's wrong with you so he put us on this task
together.”

“Why wouldn't he just ask me?”

Shane's dark gaze pierced her. “Would you answer him?”

Faith turned to look out the window. “I don't believe you. I
haven't changed around Merle.”

“I didn't say 'changed'. He's disturbed that you act like a serf
when he was hoping you saw him more as a father figure.”

“I don't have a clue what that means.”

“It means you're acting like you're afraid of something.”

“What? Like losing my job? Like being displaced by the nephew? Ya
think?”

“How could you think Merle would treat you that way?”

“Hey, blood is thicker than charity.”

“Except when it comes to your sisters.”

“Stop the car!”

“What?”

“I don't have to listen to this! I want out!” She scrabbled at
the door handle, sucking in air as if she couldn't get enough
oxygen.

“Don't be childish.”

“Childish?” Faith turned to him and clenched her fists when he
wouldn't slow down the Jeep. “I wouldn't know how, Shane. I was
too busy providing for my family to be
childish
. I was too
busy hijacking my own future so my sisters could eat!”

His steady gaze held hers for a long moment. “What do you mean you
hijacked your future?”

“I worked two full time jobs during my senior year in high school.
Do you really think I graduated?”

His eyes widened. “Is that what this is about? That you don't have
a diploma?”

“Stop the Jeep.
Now!
”

He shook his head. “Do you really think that would worry Merle?
Anyway, why not just get your GED?”

Her tears returned with a vengeance. She couldn't speak without
losing all control.

Shane continued to pepper her with questions, but she remained rigid
with anger at the way the day had turned out. After an interminable
drive, he finally pulled into the gravel area in front of her house.
He put the Jeep in park and turned toward her.

Keeping her head averted, she put up a hand. “
Not one word
.”
She reached for her backpack, hoping she could exit the vehicle with
a modicum of grace.

She heard Shane sigh. “It's just that I thought you weren't afraid
of anything.”

His softly spoken words affected her with all the blunt force of a
two by four. Faith jerked herself out of the Jeep, not daring to
look back, and hobbled to her front door. Not until she was inside
did she allow the first furious wave of tears fall.

***

Shane watched Faith make her way into the house. He knew he'd pushed
her too hard, knew he'd been unfair. But her stubborness brought out
the needler in him.

And look where it got him. She was rightfully hopping mad at him and
now would be even less open to rectifying what ailed her.

Way to go, Zadopec
.

And yet, he'd seen the bleakness in her eyes, understood the ache in
her heart. He'd
been
there, and not that long ago. Why didn't
she believe that?

Shane closed his eyes, ashamed that he'd continued to push her,
nearly to the point of cruelty.
Forgive me, God. Help me to be a
support and not make her think I'm sitting in judgment.
He
gripped the wheel, vowing t
he next time they were together,
he'd be prayed up and easy-going and accepting.

If there was a next time.

***

It took a long, hot shower and a night's rest before Faith could
even begin to think through what happened the day before. Fury had
ebbed to shame, which made her angry all over again. She'd never met
a nosier, more pompous person in all her life. No doubt he was
sitting at home, shaking his head in disappointment that she didn't
take his most excellent advice.

'Just get your GED'
.

She grimaced.
Like I
haven't thought of that before!

What purpose would it serve? And yet now that she'd blurted out the
truth to Shane, she couldn't bear to leave the situation as-is. She
looked up the contact information online for the satellite community
college office, planning to make an appointment with a counselor. If
Merle found out, so be it. But what couldn't be borne was Shane's
knowledge of her embarrassing secret. No matter how long it took,
she would get her GED. That made one less thing for Shane to hold
over her head.

And as far as Sunday went, she was staying home.

Chapter Eleven

Shane wilted when he made it through an entire church service and
mingling time in the foyer without seeing Faith. On some level, he
doubted she'd come—not when her wounds were so raw. Of course that
was the perfect time to come to church. But that didn't make it any
easier.

The morning sermon had been on patience—something he severely
lacked. Maybe he could blame it on growing up in a city where things
tended to happen at a faster pace. Or maybe he was just
selfish—wanting for Faith what he'd avoided for himself so
long—hope and healing.

He looked across the foyer and saw Merle talking with the same lady
as he had last week. Based on the shining eyes and warm smiles, they
were getting on swimmingly. Shane experienced a stab of jealousy
that the older man was succeeding where he was failing. In the next
instant, he chastised himself for being so petty. He knew of Merle's
unhappy marriage that had ended when his wife died. The man deserved
a chance at finding someone to spend the rest of his years with.
Shane wished him well.

And hoped he didn't have to wait thirty more years to find the same
thing.

***

Faith sent severe words to the butterflies in her stomach Monday
morning. Not only did they not listen, but their gyrations increased
as she pulled open the doors to Blue Mountain Community College. By
the time she was ushered into the counselor's office, she was ready
to bolt. Her claim of feeling ill this morning was true when she'd
let Merle know she'd be taking a personal day, perhaps corresponding
to the fact that she hadn't attended church either. How could she
face Shane after such a disastrous day?

“I'm Peggy Smith,” the middle-aged woman said. “You were
interested in the GED Test?”

“Yes,” Faith said, hating the heat spreading across her cheeks.
“I wasn't able to finish high school and would like to see about
getting caught up and eventually taking the test.”

“We do offer a placement test to see where you're at, as well as
classes to prepare you for the test. However some people chose to
challenge the test outright to see how they fare.”

Faith stared at the woman, one lone butterfly beating against her
heart. “You mean I could simply take the test without signing up
for classes?”

“It's one option available.”

“When is the next test?”

The woman checked her computer monitor. “This afternoon at one.”

“Huh.” Faith chewed the inside of her cheek.
Wouldn't it be
something if I could just pass the thing and be done with it? But
what if I didn't?
She wrinkled her nose.
Think positive,
woman! The only one who will know the outcome is you!

Faith wondered what would Shane do. She frowned, wondering how he'd
wormed his way into her decision-making. She hardly needed to second
guess herself over the man. At the same time, she knew there was
really only one option at hand. Positioning herself ramrod straight,
she lifted her chin. “Well, I guess I'd like to give it a go.”

Peggy smiled. “Great. Let's get you registered.”

***

Shane's optimism took a hit when he stopped by Bascombe Productions
and saw that Faith's truck was gone. Or maybe she was already out
and about on some new hiking expedition
sans
him. With a
disappointed sigh, he parked and went into the office. Merle greeted
him warmly as he stepped through the door.

After pleasantries, Shane cleared his throat. “Is Faith already on
the hunt for the next big photograph?”

The older man hooked his thumbs in his belt. “Ah, no. She took the
day off. She might not be feeling good.”

Shane deflated. She'd skipped church, and now work. Was she really
ill or still just angry? Of course she had every right to be upset
with him. But he thought he could smooth things over by now.
Apparently that was too optimistic. Apparently she'd been more
deeply offended than he realized. He wished for the thousandth time
he hadn't pressed her so hard.

Shane chatted for a few minutes with Merle, then headed back to his
truck, his thoughts still swirling with regret. Well, she couldn't
hide forever. Eventually he'd have an opportunity to apologize to
her.