When Summer Comes. Brenda Novak

police have it,” he said. “They picked it up probably an hour before you got there.”

      “Too bad I missed it. But at least it wasn’t stolen.” She didn’t ask how much the impound fees would be. She doubted he had the money to pay them and didn’t want to put him on the spot in front of Kyle. Besides, she felt partially responsible for his loss, since she was the one who’d told the officers about it.

      “I’ve got to get back to work.” Kyle looked at Levi. “Want me to drive you to the impound lot?”

      Levi shook his head. “No need. I’m not ready to go there yet. But if you’re heading toward town, I’ll hitch a ride as far as you’re going.”

      He wasn’t asking for any special consideration. That seemed to soften Kyle up. “I can take you wherever you’d like to go.”

      With barely a wince to give away what the movement cost him, Levi hauled his bag over his shoulder as if he might not be coming back. “I saw a gas station a few miles back.”

      “The Gas-N-Go?” Kyle said.

      He nodded. “Anywhere close to that will be fine.”

      Finished with the dishes, Callie dried her hands. “What are you planning to do there?”

      “Find work,” he said, and turned away.

      She stopped him. “You can’t work! Not yet. You’re covered in stitches.”

      He didn’t seem to think that mattered. “I’ll live.”

      “Wait.” She sent Kyle a glance that warned him not to interfere. “I could use some help around here.”

      Levi’s eyes narrowed skeptically. “Doing what?”

      “My parents want to sell the place. I told them I’d get it in shape.”

      “Which would include...”

      She could tell she’d caught his interest. “I’ve been meaning to repair and paint the barn, for one thing.” Her parents had bought the paint; she just hadn’t felt strong enough to get up on a ladder. She’d been considering hiring someone, anyway. The place had sat empty for so long there were plenty of other projects for her to do. Just keeping up with her gardening and photography seemed to be a full-time job. “If you’ll provide the labor, I’ll provide room and board until you finish. I’ll also front the money to retrieve your motorcycle and get it fixed.”

      He adjusted the bandages covering the stitches on his right arm. “How do you know I won’t take advantage? That I won’t fix my motorcycle and leave before I ever paint the barn?”

      “Will you?” she asked, but she figured there could be worse things. Liver failure had a way of putting smaller disappointments in perspective.

      There was a moment of silence. Then he said, “No. Where’s the paint?”

      She chuckled. “You’re not in any shape to start quite yet. And the fees on that motorcycle are only going to go up the longer we leave it. Let’s get that taken care of first.”

      * * *

      Levi kept quiet while Callie drove to the impound lot in Kyle’s truck with his trailer lagging behind. The silence stretched on so long it began to feel oppressive, so she made an attempt at small talk. “Last night you said you’d been in the military. Where’d you serve?”

      When he glanced over, she could see him weighing whether or not he wanted to engage in this conversation.

      “Is where you served classified information?” She grinned, trying to tempt him into lowering his guard, but he didn’t even crack a smile.

      “It’s pointless to go through the usual rituals. We won’t know each other long enough for any of it to matter.”

      “It’ll take a week to finish the barn, and that’s only if you’re a fast worker. So humor me.”

      “Fine.” He shrugged. “Afghanistan.”

      “That must’ve been tough.”

      No response, but she couldn’t blame him for not wanting to talk about such a difficult post.

      “Where are you from?”

      “Seattle.”

      “Do you have family there?”

      He wasn’t looking at her. He’d gone back to staring out the window. “Some.”

      “A wife? Kids?” She’d seen no ring on his finger, but she knew that didn’t necessarily mean he wasn’t committed.

      A muscle jumped in his cheek, giving her the impression that she’d just struck a nerve.

      “Neither,” he said, the word falling like an ax.

      Curious as to why he’d be sensitive on this subject, she asked, “So you’ve been married?”

      It took him a few seconds to answer, but eventually he managed another word. “No.”

      “Neither have I.” She leaned forward to catch his eye. “In case you were wondering.”

      He made no comment, which led her to believe he hadn’t been wondering—or wasn’t willing to admit it if he was. He’d have to open up if he was going to ask any questions about her, and that would risk her asking even more questions about him.

      “Wow, you’re really easy to talk to,” she said.

      His eyes flicked her way.

      “I’m afraid they won’t release my bike.”

      “The impound lot? Why wouldn’t they?”

      “I don’t have my license or registration.”

      Considering his situation, this didn’t really surprise her. But it did create a problem. ID was usually required. “So what’s your plan?”

      “I don’t know. It’s my bike. If we pay the fine, they’d better give it to me.”

      Callie didn’t want any problems. “You didn’t...steal it, did you?”

      He gave her a look that nearly shriveled her on the spot. “No. Just because I don’t have the registration with me doesn’t mean I stole it.”

      She wasn’t sure why, but she believed him. He seemed too forthright to be a theif. “I have a friend who tows for this yard. Actually, it’s the brother of a friend. I bet Joe can arrange it.”

      This seemed to ease some of his tension. “You think so?”

      “It’s a small town. We can work it out.” She loosened her seat belt to give her a bit more breathing room. “So what brings you to California?”

      “Figured this was as good a place as any.”

      She had so many loved ones she couldn’t imagine taking to the road, trading her relationships with them for a series of roadside diners and two-bit hotels—even if she was well.

      “Does your family know you’re here?” Who’d been part of his life? And where had they gone? Did they miss him? Care about him?

      Again, there was a slight delay in his answer. “I haven’t talked to them in some time.”

      Why? She wanted to ask, but no amount of effort on her part seemed capable of breaching the walls he’d thrown up. Because he wouldn’t engage in this conversation, it seemed more like an interrogation.

      Convinced that she was wasting her time, Callie let it go. She wasn’t necessarily looking for a friend. She had plenty of those. She was just trying to be one. But being a friend didn’t have to include badgering him into revealing his situation. She could live and let live. After all, she had her own secrets.

      Adjusting the volume on the radio, she fell silent and expected that silence