Saturday morning, Jack woke early with restless energy coursing through his veins. Old habits from military life meant he was up before dawn, and lying in bed felt wrong. He pulled on workout clothes and grabbed his keys, deciding to head to the gym for a run.
He planned to call Rachel this morning, but felt like a workout would help him burn off the nervous energy coursing through him.
Bogdin's Fitness Center sat just off Route 13, a squat brick building with a new sign and a parking lot that was surprisingly full for six thirty in the morning. Jack had driven past it countless times growing up, but he'd never actually been inside. The Naval Academy had its own facilities, and the Navy had gyms on every base. But now that he was back, he figured it was time to check out what the Eastern Shore had to offer.
The front door chimed when Jack walked in, and he was immediately hit with the smell of rubber mats, disinfectant, and sweat. The lobby was small but clean, with a check-in desk, a smoothie bar, and a wall covered in photos of local athletes. Jack recognized several faces from his high school days, though most of the photos looked more recent.
A man emerged from the back office, broad-shouldered and thick through the middle in the way that former athletes often were. His hair was graying at the temples, and he wore a Bogdin's Fitness polo shirt that stretched tight across his chest.
“Well, well,” the man said, his face breaking into a wide grin. “Jack Hudson. Good to see you back in town.”
Jack extended his hand. “Mr. Bogdin. Good to see you too.”
“Martin, please. Mr. Bogdin makes me feel old.” Martin's handshake was firm, his grip lasting just a beat too long. “Heard you were in the Navy. How long you been back?”
“Not long, actually.”
“No kidding. Well, welcome home.” Martin gestured around the gym. “Know your parents must be glad.”
“Yeah.” Jack grinned. “Mom’s thrilled, and I work with Dad now.”
“At the sheriff’s office?” Martin’s eyebrows lifted, causing his forehead to crinkle. “Wow, that’s… um… wow… great. Just great.” He cleared his throat. “The first visit here is on the house. Let me show you around.”
Before Martin could move, a woman appeared from the office behind the desk. She was close to forty, blond hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail, wearing workout clothes that showed off a toned figure. Her smile was bright and practiced as she looked Jack up and down with obvious appreciation.
“Well, hello there,” she said, her voice warm and silky. “I don't think we've met.”
“This is Jack Hudson,” Martin said. “Colt and Carrie's son. Just got back from the Navy. Jack, this is Cheryl Mason. She handles the administrative side of the facility.”
“Nice to meet you.” Jack kept his tone polite but not encouraging.
“Oh, the pleasure's all mine.” Cheryl's smile widened, and she leaned against the counter in a way that was clearly meant to be appealing. “If you need any help with anything, or need someone to show you around, you just let me know.”
“I wouldn't know what to do without Cheryl,” Martin said, seemingly oblivious to the flirtation. “She keeps this place running so I can concentrate on helping people with their workouts and training.”
“That's sweet of you to say.” Cheryl's eyes stayed fixed on Jack, her gaze assessing. “So, Jack, are you planning on sticking around Baytown? Or just passing through?”
“Sticking around,” Jack said. He could feel her interest intensifying, and he deliberately took a step back toward the gym floor. “Actually, I was hoping to get a run in. Mind if I use one of the treadmills?”
“Help yourself,” Martin said, gesturing toward the cardio equipment visible through the doorway. “Like I said, the first visit is free. If you decide you want a membership, come find me, and we'll work something out.”
“Sounds good. Thanks.”
Jack headed toward the main room, aware of Cheryl's eyes following him. When he glanced back, he caught the tail end of an expression that made him pause. Her smile had vanished, replaced by something sharper, almost calculating. She was looking at him with narrowed eyes, seemingly unhappy that Jack had spent more time talking to Martin than responding to her flirtation.
The fitness center was larger than it looked from the outside. Weight racks lined one wall, benches and machines filled the center, and a row of treadmills and ellipticals faced a bank of windows overlooking the parking lot. About a dozen people were scattered throughout the space, most of them focused on their own workouts.
Jack scanned the treadmills and saw that several were occupied. One was available next to a woman with a dark ponytail, running at a good clip. Even from behind, he recognized her. He’d know her anywhere.
Jack grabbed a towel from the stack by the door and made his way to the empty treadmill next to her. He climbed on, set the speed to match hers, and started running.
It took her about thirty seconds to glance over at him. When she did, her eyes went wide and her foot caught on the belt.
Jack reached out instinctively, steadying her with a hand on her arm as she grabbed the treadmill's handles.
“Jack!” Rachel pulled out one earbud, her face flushed from exertion and surprise. “What are you?—”
She hit the stop button on her treadmill and stepped off, nearly tripping in her haste. Jack stopped his own machine and jumped off, catching her just as she stumbled forward.
