She shook her head. "No, only what I heard in town. I don't know what happened between them to cause all that tragedy. I try to remember them as they were–how every girl in a hundred mile radius swooned over them. Course those boys took advantage of that, even Connor who was the less rowdy of the three. But as far as I remember, the only girl any of them ever took a real interest in was Alyssa McRae."
"All three of them?" I asked, my eyes widening. This sounded like a story.
"Hmm," she said, looking off into the distance. "It was a right soap opera around here with them, mostly between Connor and Marcus Hale. Those two boys were always competing over something. If it wasn't sports, it was girls, and when Alyssa came to town, there was only one girl they competed over. Nathan Hale didn't make any bones about the fact that he was interested, too, but the other two didn't pay too much mind to him, I suppose. Like I said before, he was always a little different."
"Who finally won her?" I whispered.
Anne blinked and looked at me, smiling. "Marcus Hale. She married him–shotgun wedding we called it back then. She was in the family way. But she lost that baby and it wasn't until years later that she got pregnant again, with Archer." She shook her head. "After she married Marcus, that girl always looked sad, and so did Connor Hale. I always thought they both felt that she made the wrong choice. Of course, with all the drinking and womanizing Marcus Hale still did, even after he and Alyssa got married, the whole town pretty much knew she made the wrong choice."
"And then Connor Hale became the Chief of Police?"
"Yes, yes he did. Got married too, trying to move on as well I suppose. And he had Travis."
"Wow. And then it all ended in so much tragedy."
"Yes, yes… very sad." She looked at me. "But, dear, you being able to speak to Archer, well, I think that's wonderful." She shook her head slightly. "Makes me realize how little we all did for that boy." She looked sad and lost in thought.
We both sat quietly for a couple minutes, sipping our tea before I said, "I better go shower and change. I'm going to bike down to the lake again today."
"Oh good. I'm so glad the bike is working out for you. Get as much lake time in as you can. The weather will be turning soon."
I smiled, standing. "I will. Thank you, Anne. And thank you for the chat."
"Thank you, dear. You bring a smile to an old woman's face."
I grinned at her and waved as I walked down her steps and through her gate.
**********
An hour later, I was biking down Briar Road, my basket holding a water bottle, my towel, and my sweet, naughty little dog.
As I rode past Archer's house, I stopped my bike, dragging my feet in the dust. His gate was open slightly. I stared at it, stopping completely. I hadn't seen a mail truck driving back down the road. Had Archer left it open himself? I tilted my head, considering the situation. I brought one finger up and tapped my lips, thinking. Would it be totally uncool to go onto his property uninvited again? Or had he left the gate open slightly as an invitation? Was that completely ludicrous for me to even think? Probably.
I wheeled my bike forward and leaned it against the high fence, picking Phoebe up and peeking my head inside the open gate, just intending on having a quick look. Archer was walking away, toward his house, but when he heard the squeak of his gate, he turned, his eyes on me, no surprise in them.
I stepped inside. Hi, I said, putting Phoebe down and signing. I'm really hoping that your open gate meant that you were okay with me coming in, and that I didn't just trespass again. That would be embarrassing. I grimaced, bringing my hands to my cheeks and holding my breath for his answer.
His deep, amber eyes watched me for a few seconds as color moved up my face, and something gentled in his expression.
He was wearing a pair of jeans that looked like they were about to disintegrate, they had so many holes in them, a fitted white t-shirt–too fitted–and bare feet.
I wanted to show you something, he said.
I let out my breath and I couldn't help the smile that spread over my face. But then I cocked my head to the side, confused. You knew I was coming?
He shook his head slowly. I thought you might. I see the bike tracks.
My face flushed again. "Oh," I breathed out, not signing. "Um…"
Do you want to see, or not?
I just looked at him for a second and then nodded. Okay. Wait, where's your axe?
He raised one eyebrow, studying me for a couple beats. Is that you being funny?
I laughed, feeling delight in the fact that he had brought up our last conversation. Touché. I grinned. What do you want to show me?