Page 32 of In Pursuit of the Truth

Nate shoved his melancholy thoughts aside and focused on the building that appeared in the clearing. He wasn’t sure what he’d expected. Maybe something around the size of the small barn that Bailey used now.

This was so much larger, and Bailey wasn’t exaggerating when she said it was rundown. No wonder Joe referred to it as haunted. It would be the perfect location for a horror movie.

He took in the sagging roof, the siding that at one time was probably red was now covered in mold and cracking due to exposure to the elements. Even the large barn doors were tilted off their tracks. He doubted anyone had used the building in decades.

“It’s so cool,” Seth said in awe. “Like right out of an adventure story.”

“Wow!” Jordan stared at it. “It’s broken.”

His simple description made Bailey chuckle. “Yes, it is. Very broken. And dangerous. There’s a good chance part of the ceiling or walls could fall at any minute.” She waited until they were both looking at her. “That’s why it’s important that you never, ever go inside. Do you understand?”

The boys nodded, their faces serious.

There were piles of stones that made a border of sorts. Bailey told them they could play there if they wanted to. Now, the boys were jumping from stone to stone and trying not to touch the ground. Minnie whined, but Nate refused to let her off the leash. She generally behaved well, but the last thing he wanted her to do was to run into the barn.

“I can see why you want to tear it down. You can’t have people coming onto your property and wandering around here.” He glanced at her profile. She was looking at the barn with a critical eye. “What are you picturing?”

“This is the perfect location for another pumpkin patch.With all the trees around it, it’d be a fun place to take people on a hayride for them to choose a pumpkin of their own. Don’t you think?” Bailey turned her head to look at him.

“Yeah, I think it’d be perfect.” But even with his reassurance, she seemed reluctant. “What’s wrong?”

She folded her arms in front of her and shivered. “This place gives me the creeps. I can’t explain why. It always has, though. Maybe it’s just the ambiance of it and the fact that it was abandoned here to rot.”

Right on cue, something inside the barn cracked loud enough to draw the attention of the little boys. They stopped jumping and turned to look at the building, their eyes wide.

“That’s exactly why you should listen to your mom and never go inside that building,” Nate told them, his voice serious and louder than necessary. He understood why Bailey was worried because it was clear that Seth, especially, found the place fascinating.

Thunder rumbled in the distance, drawing Nate’s attention to the sky. The white cloud coverage had turned to a dull gray. A wall of black clouds on the horizon promised rain and potentially more severe weather ahead. “You’d better get your pictures so we can head back before that storm gets here.”

Chapter Twenty

Bailey looked up at the sky. This had the potential to be the first bad thunderstorm of the season. Yes, it was time to get back home. She watched as Nate walked over and helped Jordan down from the tall rock he was balanced on.

“Lead the way, Seth,” Bailey instructed, knowing full well her son would be happy to take on the challenge.

He scrambled to the ground, picked up his walking stick, and started back the way they’d come. “Come on, Jordan. Let’s go!”

What began as a light rain quickly turned to a downpour minutes later. Even the boys, who’d originally laughed and splashed in the puddles, looked like half-drowned puppies. Minnie kept her head down, ears tucked close, and trotted down the path as quickly as Nate would allow her.

At first, Bailey had tried to use her arms to keep the rain off her face. There was no use anymore, though. The weight of her wet hair caused it to fall out of its bun. Cold strands of hair clung to her cheeks.

She laughed. “Well, they wanted an adventure.”

Nate looked over at her, humor in his dark eyes. “I like that you’re not annoyed by this.”

“Why be upset? We desperately needed rain. Seth will probably remember this forever, and it’s been a welcome break from everything else that’s been going on.”

Her shoe hit a slick spot. She gasped as she lost her balance. Nate’s arm shot out and wrapped around her waist, halting her fall.

“Are you okay?” His warm breath brushed against her cheek as he slowly released her, moving his grasp to her hand. Minnie walked over and licked her free one in concern.

Thankfully, Seth and Jordan stopped ahead to wait for them.

“I’m good. Thank you for that.” Bailey took a step forward and nearly slipped again. She tightened her grip on his hand to keep her balance as she picked her way through the muddy spot to the rockier part of the path.

The cool rain had effectively chilled her to the core. The only part of her that didn’t feel cold was the hand that Nate continued to hold in his. The sensation sent butterflies zigzagging in her stomach, which immediately brought feelings of confusion and guilt. She didn’t know what to make of her recent attraction toward Nate. All she knew was that a part of her hoped he wouldn’t let go.

Except she was being ridiculous. He was simply trying to give her extra stability as they hurried back to her house, nothing more. Which meant her reaction to it made no sense whatsoever.

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