A Silence in the Heart (Holmes Crossing Book 4) Read online

  And Tracy's heart started the same pounding it had before.

  "I've come to talk about that land." He drummed his fingers restlessly on the counter. "You still got the check?"

  "Yes. I have it." She stifled her exhilaration and dared even more. "And I still have the agreement."

  His gaze held hers, and Tracy swallowed down an attack of nerves. But at the same time, Edgar was here. On his own. Maybe David was right, after all. Maybe Edgar just needed someone to stand up to him.

  The only sound in the office was the whispering tick of the clock, the clatter of keys from Crystal's keyboard, and Dr. Harvey’s humming. The moment stretched, painfully long, and Tracy wondered who would give in on this ridiculous, but high-stakes, game of chicken.

  "Okay. I'll sign it," Edgar said, the first one to look away.

  Tracy's knees almost gave out on her. "Great. I'll get the paper and the check." The two copies of the agreement were folded double and dog-eared from being shoved into her purse. But they were still legible.

  She smoothed them out on the counter, handed Edgar a pen from the pocket of her smock. She held on to the check until he signed both copies above the signature she had so carefully scribed onto the paper yesterday.

  "Thanks, Mr. Stinson," she said, handing him the check and pushing one copy of the agreement toward him. "I'll keep my copy in a safe place."

  Edgar held the check between his nicotine-stained fingers, and then looked up at her, a crafty smile edging his lips. "I'm sure you will, missy. You play a good game." He tucked the check into the pocket of his worn, stained plaid coat and left the clinic without another word.

  As soon as the door sighed shut behind him, Tracy let her shaky knees give way. She turned and slid to the floor and hugged her knees, elation and tears threatening at the same time. She had played hardball with Edgar Stinson and won the chance to dream again.

  Crystal leaned back in her chair, grinning at her. "If I hadn't been here when that just happened, I don't know if I would have believed it."

  "I can hardly believe it myself." Tracy closed her eyes and drew in a long, shuddering breath. "Thank you, Lord," she whispered, the adrenaline rush easing away, leaving her weak and wobbly. Excitement threaded with hope spun and whirled like a happy kaleidoscope. She slowly got to her feet as she tried to get her emotions settled.

  "I better get back to ordering the supplies," Tracy said, heaving another sigh of relief.

  Life is suddenly wonderful, she thought, almost floating back down the hall. All the plans she had discarded last night were now vibrantly alive and available again.

  "What did Edgar Stinson want?" Dr. Harvey called out from his office.

  Tracy leaned in the doorway, feeling as if she still could use a little support after the roller coaster of emotions she'd had to deal with the past couple of days. "Edgar Stinson just agreed to sell me an acreage."

  Alan Harvey looked up at her over his glasses, marking his place in his book with a large forefinger. "What acreage?"

  "The one he's going to subdivide for me. It's an old yard site that still has the power supply and some old buildings." Tracy hugged herself, reliving the incredible moment when Edgar Stinson had agreed to sign the papers.

  "I know the place. It needs a lot of work." Alan looked over his glasses at her. "I can't believe you got Edgar to part with it, though. He's a hard man to deal with."

  Tracy thought back to their quiet confrontation now and yesterday. "I got some good advice from David."

  "And what are you saying about me in front of my back?" The voice behind her set her shaky heart back into high gear.

  Tracy jumped and spun around to face David, who was grinning down at her, his now-familiar smile warming her heart.

  "I got it," she said, enthusiasm and pleasure spiraling through her as she impulsively caught his hands in hers. "Thanks to you, I got the acreage."

  "That's great. Details?"

  Tracy laughed with sheer pleasure that spun out of her relief. "After yesterday, I thought I'd lost the land. But Edgar came this morning and agreed to sign the papers."

  "Wonderful."

  When he squeezed her hands, she suddenly realized with a flush of embarrassment what she had done. But David didn't release her hands when she gently tugged on them, his full smile softening his features.

  And when he gently ran his thumb over the backs of her fingers, a sense of breathless waiting engulfed her. Slowly, her breath eased out of her chest.

  "I . . . I owe you an apology," she said, looking down at his large, warm hands still holding hers. "I was wrong to be angry with you yesterday."

  She gently pulled her hands out of his grip, reluctant to let go but knowing she should. Their boss was sitting in a room behind them, probably avidly watching the entire process. And she had to keep her wits about her.

  "So, did he tell you when you'd get possession?"

  "He said he'd let me know when it was subdivided."

  "That's fantastic, Tracy. I'm really happy for you."

  She chanced another quick glance up, pleased to see him still looking at her. "Well, I have to go order supplies." Her heart kicking up another notch.

  What happened to her plan to be careful? Wary?

  It was merely the excitement of getting the property. That was all.

  And if she told herself that enough times, she'd believe it.

  "I can help you."

  "No. There's no need," Tracy said, moving away from him. This was definitely getting dangerous. And it was not part of the plan for her life. Men didn't figure in that plan at all. And David was a man.

  A good man, but still a man.

  The buzzer rang, and with a careful smile his way, she turned to answer the call of another customer.

  The long blonde hair and the slim figure of the woman standing by the counter sent a familiar shot of dislike through Tracy. Looked as though God was giving Tracy another stab at forgiveness. Though Misty Bredo hadn't been the cause of her breakup with Art, she was forever connected to that particular betrayal.

  Misty glanced at Tracy and then past her as if dismissing her. Tracy took a long slow breath, sent up a quick prayer for patience and love and truth and grace, and smiled at the woman who wasn't even looking at her.

  "May I help you?" It was a long stretch to politeness, but Tracy was pleased that she at least sounded competent and in charge.

  "I need to talk to Dr. Braun."

  Tracy usually got annoyed when clients asked for Dr. Harvey instead of David. But Misty's specific request for David made her hackles rise. And with that came a rush of painful jealousy that surprised her.

  "It's about my horses," Misty added, glancing past Tracy as if already waiting for David to come. Misty drummed her perfectly manicured nails on the wood, her deep blue eyes glancing around the clinic, curiosity mixing with disdain. Her thick blonde hair was swept up in the back. In the front, long wisps of bangs swept in chic disarray down her cheeks. Her soft suede shirt and pants looked casual yet striking.

  "I'll get him." But Misty didn't even look at her.

  She found David quickly enough; he was restocking a calving kit. The smile he gave her when she spoke his name was a warm counterpoint to the jealousy that had chilled her just seconds ago. "Misty Bredo wants to talk to you," she said, gesturing over her shoulder with her thumb. "Her parents own a large horse training facility a couple miles south of town."

  "I know Misty," he said in a tone that indicated that he knew more than her name. More jealousy flared in Tracy's heart.

  He washed his hands and then walked with Tracy to the front of the clinic. "I was thinking about Kent's kitten," David said. "I figured I could use a little company around my place. I'm renting a basement suite, and I checked with the landlords. They said I could have a pet. You can tell him next time you see him."

  "I'm glad to know that."

  "Of course, I'll probably have to bring it to the clinic once in a while. So he can see it."

>   "That would be great. Thanks so much." She was relieved that the kitten would have a home and that Kent would be able to see it.

  "So next time he comes, you can tell him."

  "I haven't seen him for a couple of days," Tracy said. "I'm a little worried. After his mother's visit here the other day, I'm sure she's keeping him on a tight rein."

  "Well, as long as he's being taken care of."

  Tracy thought of "Uncle Steve" and shivered. "I hope he is."

  She heard a faint sigh from the reception room and, with a guilty start, took a step away from David. "You better go. Misty awaits."

  "Something she doesn't do well," David said with a wink.

  Misty was looking at one of the posters on the wall when Tracy followed David into the room. She spun around, her eyes narrowed with impatience, her arms clasped tightly across her chest. But as soon as she saw David, her eyes softened, her arms lowered, and her mouth curved into a beguiling smile.

  "So what can I help you with?" David asked, his deep voice pleasant and welcoming. And Tracy was surprised at the flicker of jealousy his reaction to Misty created.

  Though she shouldn't be surprised. Art wasn't the only man who'd been fooled by Misty. But Art had been “her Art,” and the fooling had hurt her deeply.

  "It's my horse." Misty tucked a wisp of hair behind her ear with a languid gesture. "Dr. Harvey was at my place the other day and diagnosed my horse with strangles. I was wondering if you could come and see if my horse is doing okay?"

  "Did you give the horse the live strep equine vaccine?" David asked.

  Misty nodded.

  "And has there been any change?"

  Misty shrugged. "I'm not sure. He seems okay, but I'd really like for you to come by and check him out."

  Tracy tried not to roll her eyes. Can you say "obvious"? she thought, forcing herself to pay attention to her own work. She had a history with Misty, though the woman seemed unaware of her existence.

  Misty leaned on the counter, bringing herself a little closer to David. "Will you have a chance to stop by the farm and check him over?"

  "I would prefer to talk to Dr. Harvey about that," David said, glancing back at Tracy. "He would want to do the follow-up, seeing as he was the vet who diagnosed the strangles. I don't want to interfere with his case."

  "I called him and asked him if you could come. He said he didn't mind."

  "I think I'm busy, actually. Tracy, tomorrow's schedule is full, isn't it?" David held her eyes, giving her a warning glance, but Tracy didn't know what he was warning her about.

  She checked the appointment book. "You'll be going past Bredo's tomorrow afternoon. On your way to the Andrews ranch to dehorn some cows." Tracy glanced at Misty. "I'll have to bill you for the visit, though." Now didn't that sound all professional. David would be so proud.

  But David looked slightly annoyed.

  "I'm not worried about the billing," Misty said, shrugging off Tracy's comment.

  Tracy knew that. A visit from David was not going to break the Bredo family bank account.

  Misty gave David another smile. "I look forward to seeing you tomorrow," she said.

  I bet you are, Tracy thought with another unwelcome surge of jealousy.

  Without a glance at Tracy, Misty turned and left.

  David waited until the door fell shut behind her, and then turned back to Tracy, holding out his hands as if imploring her. "So, why didn't you help me out?"

  "Pardon me?"

  "When she asked if I was coming by her place, couldn't you read my body language?"

  "Guess I'm illiterate," she said with a light shrug, finally realizing what that look of warning had meant. "I was supposed to . . . ?"

  "Tell me I was going to be on the other side of the county that day," David finished for her. He folded his arms and leaned against the counter. "Now I have to go check out a horse that doesn't need my expert opinion."

  "Well, you can check out Misty while you're there."

  "I'm not interested in checking her out."

  The serious tone in his voice made her look up, catch his gaze. Hold it.

  David pushed himself away from the counter and walked to her side. "I'm not interested in her at all." He looked back over his shoulder, as if checking to see if anyone was around, and then took a step closer. "In fact, I was hoping to catch you alone."

  She easily caught the scent of soap from his hands. Saw the glint of stubble on his chin. Could lose herself once more in the soft, hazel eyes that looked up at her.

  Lose.

  She didn't like the word or the emotion. Especially not with Misty's perfume still lingering in the office. A stark reminder, in spite of David's words.

  To her dismay, she found her heart beating even harder when he gave her yet another smile.

  "Why is that?"

  A tingle of awareness fizzed between them like champagne. Though it had been years since she'd felt any kind of attraction to a man, she vividly recalled the shivers it had created.

  And this was definitely a shiver moment.

  "I was wondering if you were busy Friday night?"

  Tracy tipped her head to one side, studying him, a peculiar feeling of joy bubbling up in her in spite of all the warnings she had given herself about David. Did she dare? Was this wise?

  But somehow Misty's visit brought up another set of emotions, and suddenly she was tired of letting what happened with her and Art rule her life.

  And somehow the thought that David didn't want to be with Misty was like a reminder that he wasn't Art.

  Should you?

  It was just a date. Nothing serious. It would do her good to get out and do something social. "I'm not busy," she said.

  "Great. I've got tickets to a play in Edmonton. Would you like to come?"

  "Sure."

  And it was as easy as that.

  He gave her his now-familiar crooked smile, brushed his fingers over the back of her hand, and Tracy felt a rare moment of contentment.

  He pushed himself up, winked at her, and then left.

  Seeing Misty with David wasn't a test. But as she glanced back at his retreating figure, she felt as if a barrier between them had simply faded away.

  Chapter 6

  "So if we add up the quote you just gave me on parts and labor, it looks to me like . . .”—Tracy tucked the phone under her cheek as she punched the numbers into the calculator sitting on her kitchen counter, hit total, and stifled a groan—"I have a genuine scrap-heap automobile on my hands."

  "I told you I would try, but I don't think it's worth it. Besides, the body is way rusted. Better to put your money into another ride." Chip's voice echoed in her ear. "But that's the way it is with cops and mechanics. Usually no good news."

  Tracy leaned her elbows on the counter of her apartment, staring at the figure on the calculator. Even though it was lower than the price of a new vehicle, there was no telling what else could happen to her car even if she got all this work done.

  Which meant she would be pulling money out of her acreage fund for another vehicle.

  "So, do you know of any good vehicles for sale?" She'd been walking back and forth to work for the past week, which was okay. But once it got colder and the snow came blowing into town, that would no longer be an option.

  "Nope. Not right now. But if I latch on to somethin', I'll let you know."

  "And what should I do about my old car?"

  "I'll get it to the auto wreckers. Don't worry about it."

  "Thanks, Chip. I think."

  Chip laughed and hung up. Tracy lowered the phone to the cradle, mulling over her options.

  She could head down the road to the car dealership she had walked past on the way to and from work. Every day she saw large banners screaming out the amazing deals available to her with no money down and no interest.

  And payments every month for the next four years. Which was about three years and ten months too many as far as she was concerned.

  She g
roaned, thinking of the cost no matter which way she went. She could hold out for a few more weeks. As long as the weather held.

  Sooner or later, she would need another vehicle. For now, she had other things on her mind.

  In an hour, David was picking her up, and she still didn't know what to wear or how to do her hair or whether she should wear shoes or boots.

  She was out of practice. How long had it been since she'd dressed up for a date? Months? She had gone out occasionally. Often an old friend who wanted to catch up. She would double-up with Danielle, making a foursome out of a friend of Anthony's. But a serious date that could have repercussions?

  It's just a date, she reminded herself as she kicked her runners off and walked to the bathroom for a shower. Just a date. Just a date.

  "Well, that was . . . um . . ." David raised his hand in a vague gesture as he glanced over at Tracy.

  "Bizarre?" she said helpfully.

  David laughed and then dodged a woman in a leopard-skin bodysuit and a faux fur shawl as they made their way through the crowded foyer of the Citadel Theatre. "I don't know about you, but I don't think I'll ever be ready for a second act of that. How about you?"

  Tracy shook her head. The heat combined with the crowd and the heavy scent of perfumes were making her dizzy.

  "Then let's not waste our time here," he said, catching her arm and ushering her through the crush of warm bodies filling the foyer of the theater.

  Tracy caught snatches of conversation.

  ". . . a study in esoteric relational paradigms . . . fabulous, just fabulous . . . meaningful in an abstract sense . . . can't wait for the second act."

  She bit back a smile. They must have seen a different play than she had. The only thing she couldn't wait for was escape.

  Then, thankfully, they saw the doors. Freedom beckoned.

  Outside, David dropped his head back, drew in a long breath, and started to laugh. "I am so sorry," he said once he caught his breath. "I thought it would be a performance we could understand. How out there could a play about sailors be?"

  "Well, it was esoteric, in the strictest sense of the word." David gave her a quick frown, and she laughed. "Just kidding," she said. "I heard someone say something like that as we were leaving. Thought I'd show my avant-garde side."