Lakeside Redemption

“I appreciate his kind words. You could have sent me a text or something. No need for a trip to the principal’s office.” She smiled to show the hint of teasing in her tone.

A throaty laugh burst from Leona’s lips. “Having spent my fair share of time in the principal’s office as a teenager, I can understand how you may be feeling, but rest easy. You’re not in any trouble. In fact, I’m about to offer you a promotion.”

“A promotion? Really?” She sat up and set her coffee mug on the table next to her chair. “But I haven’t been here that long.”

“You’ve been here long enough for me to see your potential. I believe what I’m offering will be a good fit for your abilities. As you’re aware, Mr. Sullivan adopted Riley for his daughters. He’s had the little guy for a few days now and it’s chewing everything in sight. He’d like you to help them train the puppy.”

The thrill she felt at Leona’s initial mention of the promotion vanished. “Leona, as much as I’d love to help you, I can’t.”

The image of Sully’s two girls playing with the puppies swirled into her thoughts, pulling out emotions she’d suppressed for a long time.

“Sweetie, there’s no reason why you can’t be around children. Besides, Mr. Sullivan said you two were old college friends. He asked for you specifically. Talk to him, tell him what happened so it doesn’t come up later, then seriously consider taking the job.”

Zoe reached for her cup and traced her thumb over the words on the mug. The desire to work with Sully and his daughters ballooned in her chest until she feared her lungs would burst. But once he learned the truth... “The minute he finds out about my past, he’s going to take his pup and sprint in the other direction.”

“You don’t know that.” Leona pulled off her red-rimmed glasses and used them as a pointer to punctuate her words. “You need to start having faith in people again, Zoe.”

“Second chances in this town are about as real as the Tooth Fairy.” She disliked the edge that steeled her words, but several encounters over the past year had proved her point more than once.

“Not everyone feels that way, Zoe. Give this family a chance.” Leona scooted to the edge of the couch and slipped her feet back into her shoes. “Besides, wouldn’t you rather your friend hear it from you rather than neighborhood gossips?”

“I guess.”

Leona crossed to the window and peered outside. “Well, you have about two minutes to think about what you’d like to say because he just pulled into the parking lot.”

Zoe stiffened as her heart bounced against her ribs. “Thanks for giving me time to prepare.”

“If I had given you any more time, then you would’ve talked yourself out of doing it. Buck up, girl. You can do this. I believe in you.” Leona placed a hand on her shoulder for a moment before heading for the door, leaving Zoe alone to stare at her reflection in the cooling cup of coffee.

A few minutes later, voices down the hall reached Zoe’s ears. She set her cup on the table and stood, brushing the dog hair from her royal blue Canine Companions polo shirt. She didn’t know why she bothered. Once Sully learned her story, he wouldn’t want her services anyway.

She wiped her palms on her thighs as Leona ushered him into the room.

For a second he hesitated in the doorway, the breadth of his shoulders filling the space. He wore an unbuttoned blue plaid shirt over a gray T-shirt with the sleeves rolled up, exposing muscular forearms. His faded jeans rode low on his hips. Black Chuck Taylors completed his casual look.

Dear God, let him give her a chance.

When he saw her, a smile spread across his face. He ran a hand over his wind-tossed hair and walked over to her. He extended his hand. “Zoe, good to see you again.”

“Thanks, you too.” She shook his hand and forced herself not to reach out and hug him, which had been their usual greeting years ago. Times had changed. They were practically strangers now. And after today, she’d probably never see him again.

She motioned toward the couch. “Have a seat.”

“Thanks.” He lowered himself slowly onto the cushion. A grimace tightened his face.

She wanted to lend a hand, but Sully came across as the kind of guy who wanted help only when he asked for it.

Leona returned and handed a cup of coffee to him. “Here you go, Mr. Sullivan. I’ll leave you two alone while I check on the kids.”

“Kids?”

“My four-legged ones, of course.”

“Yes, of course. And please call me Caleb.”

Leona winked at Zoe, then scurried out of the room, closing the door behind her, taking Zoe’s courage with her.

She didn’t want to tell her story again, but if she wanted to work with his daughters, he needed to know the truth.

He set his coffee on the side table and leaned forward. “So Leona said you wanted to talk to me?”

“Yes.” Zoe stood, hugged her arms to her waist and walked to the window that overlooked the dog play yard. Travis had taken the dogs out to splash around in the plastic kiddie pool.

She loved watching the pups cavorting with freedom. Closing her eyes, she breathed a prayer for her missing courage. Turning back to Sully, she opened her eyes and faced him. “Before you hire me, there’s something you need to know.”

Sully frowned. “What’s up?”

Her heart picked up speed, and she wiped her damp palms on her jeans again. Then she shoved her trembling fingers into her front pockets. Tears filled her eyes as her voice dropped to a whisper. “I’m the one who killed Kyle.”

* * *

Caleb shot to his feet. Surely he didn’t hear her correctly? “What did you say?”

Her eyes pleaded with him as she shook her head. “Please don’t make me say it again.”

So there was nothing wrong with his hearing.

But he couldn’t believe it. Wouldn’t believe it. The Zoe he knew and loved at one time wouldn’t hurt anyone.

Her words ricocheted through his thoughts, slicing through what he thought was his bulletproof sizing up of the woman from his past.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Would you care to explain? I thought Kyle had been killed by a drunk driver.”

She dashed a trembling hand across her mouth and tugged on the hem of her shirt. “Maybe you should sit.”

With the weight of her words pressing him down, he slumped against the back of the couch and stared at her.

Zoe sat on the edge of the chair across from him. She bore little resemblance to the lighthearted girl from college. Right now she appeared weighted down with a burden too heavy for anyone to carry.

She cupped her knees and straightened her arms. Exhaling loudly, she raised her chin, trapping his gaze. “I partied a lot in high school.”

He never did get into the drinking scene, even with his buddies on the force. Then after what he went through with Val... “I’m kind of surprised you didn’t mention this years ago. Did you drink in college?”

“No. A friend of mine almost died at a party during my senior year. A group of us ended up getting arrested for underage drinking. After they bailed me out, my parents gave me a choice—get my act together and make something of my future, or they were going to send me away to some sort of reform school. I chose Plan A.”

He never would have pegged Zoe as a party girl, but he knew all about appearances being deceiving.

His bones seemed to have melted under his skin, leaving him feeling weary and way older than his thirty-two years. He scrubbed a hand over his face, then looked at her. “What happened to Kyle?”