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"That's fine. It's not a big deal."
"He was disappointed. He wanted to show you more of the lake and the downtown park."
He started at her words. "Is there a train in the park by the lake? Something that people ride?"
"Yes. And Ellie mentioned in her letter that you rode the train with her."
"I don't remember that, but it sounds like it happened. I need to check it out."
"Well, that park is near the bike path. Why don't you go for a ride with Leo and me? We won't be able to go as far as you could go with Joel, but it could still be fun. Only if you want to," she added quickly.
"Did Joel ask you to sub in for him?" he asked curiously.
"I volunteered. I owe you for helping me out last night on the karaoke stage, and to be completely honest, I'd love a bike ride. It's such a beautiful day. I have bikes at my house and a carrier that Leo can sit in. The start of the trail is only about a mile from there."
The idea of getting out of this house and by the water was more than a little appealing. "You're on," he said. "Can we go now?"
She laughed. "You sound like Leo. I can't tell him in advance that we're going to do anything, because he wants to do it right that second."
"Is that a yes?" he asked with a smile.
"Yes. Do you want to follow me to my house?"
"Perfect."
They went back into the house. As she told Leo it was time to go for a bike ride, he put the letters on the coffee table. Whatever Eleanor's secrets were, they were in this house, and, for the moment, that's where he wanted them to stay.
ChapterNine
Chloe's one-story,three-bedroom house felt like her: warm and welcoming, with charming décor. It was also a little messy, with toys and picture books strewn around the living room. He was quite sure that Chloe was always cleaning up, but it was difficult to keep up with Hurricane Leo.
"Come to my room," Leo said, grabbing his hand and dragging him toward the hallway.
Chloe laughed. "I'm going to grab a sweater while you get the tour."
He smiled, allowing Leo to take him into a small bedroom at the end of the hall. This room was even more chaotic, with toys all over the floor, and a pile of clothes on the unmade bed that looked like they'd come out of the laundry but hadn't been folded yet.
"This is my horse farm," Leo said, as he knelt down in front of a fenced-in area with several miniature horses and people inside.
He squatted down and picked up a chestnut horse. "Who's this?"
"Cinnamon." Leo pointed to the other three horses. "And that's Burt, Whisper, and Midnight."
"Burt?" he questioned, picking up the white horse. "How did you pick that name?"
"He has white hair like Burt at the market."
"Got it."
"Midnight is black, like night."
"And Whisper?"
Leo shrugged, then jumped up and ran to the closet, bringing back a bucket of toy soldiers. "Do you want to play with my soldiers?"
"I don't think we have time. We're going on a bike ride, buddy."
Despite his words, Leo dumped the bucket of fighting men into the middle of the horse farm. "My dad is a soldier," he said, looking back at Decker. "He's at war."
