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HELEN
Aknock at my door halted my search for Dudley’s journal. So far, I had torn apart the closet beneath his creaky wooden steps and scoured his book shelves. Other than some dusty travel mementos and torn maps, I hadn’t found much.
I had driven back to San Francisco last night after deciding to stay here for a couple weeks. I packed heavily, needing as much comfort as my clothes and hair products could bring me in these hills. I also stopped for some groceries, considering the nearest grocery store was about 30 miles from Dudley’s. Finally, I stopped at the publishing house to pick up my laptop and the equipment necessary to work from home for the next two weeks. My boss was not the happiest with my request to work remotely, but with the help of my co-worker and best friend, Lisa, I convinced her.
I opened the front door and was met by Brenton’s suspiciously large smile.
“You again. What a surprise,” I greeted him.
“Hi, Helen. Can I come in?” My heart fluttered a bit at the idea. But I was apprehensive to let him, not trusting his motivations after our previous conversation. Still, he might know something about Dudley that could help me find his journal and get my inheritance. And I had been a bit harsh, taking out all my frustration at the whole situation on him. So, I opened the brass door wider for him to enter.
“Thank you,” he said, the floor squeaking beneath his muscular frame. He turned back to face me. “Listen, I’d like to apologize. I’m afraid my curiosity got the better of me and I was a bit rude to you yesterday. I’m ashamed by my behavior. Could you forgive me?”
“I’ll consider it.” I put my finger up and saw a spark of intrigue cross his eyes as I did. “If you answer a few questions about your previous neighbor for me.”
His expression grew curious as he tilted his head. It almost reminded me of his dog from the other day, whose name I had already forgotten.
“Why?”
“Well, he was,” I hesitated, not sure how much I wanted to reveal to the neighbor whom I did not yet trust. I figured I should tell him the bare minimum, but something about his big eyes and his soft gaze was breaking me down. My mouth opened and words came out as if I had no control over them. “He was my uncle.”
His eyes widened. “Uncle?”
“Yes. Uncle.” I clamped my mouth shut.
“Um, then yeah sure. I mean, I’ll do my best, but I can’t imagine I knew him much better than you. We weren’t exactly on speaking terms.”
“Neither were we.” As I said it, Brenton looked almost relieved. An expression that might have mimicked satisfaction crossed his face, though I couldn’t quite place it. “I didn’t even know he existed until a few days ago.”
“Interesting. And yet, you bought his home?” Brenton asked.
“Um, yeah.” I paused. “Anyway, I’d love to learn more about him. Anything you know would be welcome.”
Brenton furrowed his brows.Could he tell that I was holding some information back?
“Well, I actually came over to invite you to dinner at my place this evening, to make up for my impudence. I have a pool nestled between some trees in my backyard and I know my way around a grill. What do you say?” he asked.
Holy shit!
I watched as dimples formed at the corners of his mouth. He was playing innocent, trying to coax me back onto his good side, if I was ever there in the first place. And damn…it was kind of working.
“Oh, um—”
“If you come, I’ll answer any questions you have to the best of my abilities.” He put his hands up in a sort of salute. “Scouts honor,” he said.
“Were you a boy scout?” A giggle escaped me.
“I made it all the way to eagle, actually. I’ve always loved the outdoors. Hence, my decision to live up here.” As he said it, I found myself entranced by the way his big, full lips moved and I couldn’t help but notice the salt and pepper pattern in his beard. My eyes searched his face, noticing slight age marks at the corners of his eyes and along his cheeks, right next to those light dimples. I’d place him in his early forties. His skin was tan and a bit coarse. I could tell he spent many of his days working in the sun. And his hands were calloused and dark. I imagined what those experienced hands could do to me if I let them. I began to blush at my observations and shook myself out of my trancse.
“I don’t know. I’ve been learning more about Dudley on my own. Maybe I don’t need your help after all.” I egged him on. I didn’t know why, but something in me wanted to make him as nervous as he made me. His large frame and serious demeanor were so intimidating, but they drew me in.
I watched his jaw flex and his eyes narrow.
“Are you saying no?”
“Maybe. Do you not hear that a lot, Mister…” I realized that I didn’t know his last name yet.
“McLean. And no. No I don’t.”
