A Secret to Shatter by Katie O’Connor

Chapter Eleven

Tammy’s was virtually empty. The only customer was Candice, Ira’s step-sister. Of course, Honey couldn’t admit she knew about their relationship. Honey decided to take her break and visit with her longtime friend.

“How goes the eco business?” Honey asked, sliding into the seat across from Candice.

“The same old, same old. At least I haven’t been arrested lately.” She chuckled, making it clear she wasn’t ashamed of her arrest record for protesting poor environmental practices by mega-corporations.

Honey laughed with her petite blonde friend. Looking at Candice, Honey noted, not for the first time, her lovely green eyes. Flint green, which was weird because she’d been born long before Robert and Sue started dating. At least according to the rumor mill. Yet, stranger things had been known to happen. And it seemed Robert had other secrets. Honey pushed the coincidence aside. “What are you working on these days?”

Candice dug into the pocket of her cotton camouflage pants and pulled out a piece of paper. “This.” She slapped the paper on the table. “Can you believe this jack-hole wants to make it legal to hunt wolves year-round? Just because they’re eating a few of his cattle. He practically wants to exterminate them. Not just the few bothering him, but all of them. The man is a moron. I’m half tempted to go camp out on his land and keep an eye on him.”

“Oh no. That’s terrible. And it is too dangerous to confront people who are radical or fanatical. What you need to do is start a press campaign against him. Go social media warrior on him. Get the public on your side. Start a petition. I’ll sign it. You know I’m a huge fan of solving environmental issues. We only have one world and we need to treat her better.”

“Those are great ideas,” Candice enthused. “I tend to think more in terms of protests. I’m going to get started on those right away. I can write my MLA, the Premier, the Prime Minister.” She clapped her hands. “You are brilliant. Thank you!” She took a couple bites of her veggie burger. “Mm. You guys make the best burgers.”

“I’m more into meat burgers, but those are pretty good too,” Honey agreed. “How’s the dating scene?”

“You tell me,” Candice said, dropping her burger onto the plate. “You’re dating my brother.” She slapped a hand over her mouth. “You didn’t hear that.”

“Hear what?” Honey said with a grin. She leaned forward after ensuring no one was in earshot. “Is Ira related to you?” she asked feigning ignorance and shock.

Candice blinked. “You didn’t hear it from me. But sort of. He’s Dad’s, Robert’s son and my step-brother.” She paused. “Is that right? My stepfather’s son is my stepbrother? My step-step-brother? It feels weird to call him brother when we had no idea he existed.” She shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. He’s family now. But you can’t tell a soul.”

She wouldn’t have to. Candice would blurt it out again at some point and before long it would be common knowledge. “Your secret is safe with me. I won’t let on to anyone, not even Ira. But yes, we’ve had a couple dates. He’s a nice guy.”

“I hear a but in there.” Candice picked up her burger and dove in.

“But I have this other career. I feel bad for not sharing it with him.”

“What other career? Oh, you mean your computer work? Everyone knows about your second job. So what? What’s the big deal?”

For someone only four years younger than Honey’s twenty-eight, sometimes Candice was incredibly naive and immature. Still, they were friends and Honey felt semi-safe confiding in her. More so than talking to Lacy who was a total blabbermouth even if she was a great friend. Candice didn’t seem to grasp how secrets were the bane of relationships.

“Listen,” Honey whispered, leaning even closer. “My job is totally confidential, and I can’t actually tell you what I do. But I work for the military. National security stuff.”

“Freaking awesome,” Candice exclaimed aloud before slapping her hand over her mouth. “You’re like a spy,” she whispered sounding awestruck. Her eyes gleamed with excitement. She held up a hand for a high five. “Respect. Ira will be impressed.”

“The point is, I can’t tell him. I shouldn’t have told you. And you dang well better not tell anyone else,” she warned. Oh lord, what possessed her to open her big mouth? Was she getting tired of the secrecy? Did it matter? Who would believe her anyway?

“I don’t understand, what’s the issue? He knows you have two jobs.”

“I think he thinks I’m some kind of airhead.” Honey sighed and leaned back. “I like him. He’s a great guy. We’ve only been on a few dates, but I’m starting to think he believes I’m a total lame-brain. I’m not. I’m a smart woman, smarter than most people think. I’m more than a waitress and I want him to know, but I can’t tell him. He’s caught up in what he sees.” She gestured to her Boho-gypsy outfit, making her bracelets jingle merrily. “It’s the whole don’t judge a book by its cover thing, only this time, I’m the book.” She sighed.

This wasn’t anything new, many people failed to see beyond her happy go lucky attitude and carefree clothing choices. Typically, it didn’t bother her, but somehow, with Ira, it mattered.

“Can you show him? I don’t know, challenge him to trivial pursuit or something?” Candice devoured some fries. “He’s not stupid, even if he claims he was only a lowly soldier. I think he was more and is hiding who, or what he was.”

Candice’s words struck a chord within Honey. The insight startled her. She’d had the same impression. More than once she’d wondered if Ira was Special Ops or part of some secret military intelligence agency. If so, he’d understand the reason for her secrecy. She hoped.

The café door chimed and Honey glanced toward the sound. Her break wasn’t officially over yet, but she was always on the alert in case Lacy needed assistance. Standing just inside the door, looking ruggedly handsome and way too manly was Garth Gunderson. Local guide.

“Oh, that man,” Candice groaned. “He infuriates me.”

Honey pivoted back to her friend. “What? Why? He’s a great guy.”

“He takes people hunting,” Candice spat. “Hunting. They kill animals.”

“He also takes people on wilderness treks, and teaches them to respect the environment. I know for a fact all his hunting is legal and he requires everyone to have the proper permits.”

“He kills animals. He’s evil.” Candice’s brows furrowed together and her hands trembled.

“Relax,” Honey whispered. “Ignore him. He’s nothing to you.” She suspected her friend was attracted to the handsome guide whose lifestyle was so different from her own. After all, Candice’s brothers were hunters, hunting only what they needed for meat, or to drive away predators.

“He’s just so…”

“Handsome? Strong? Sexy? Enticing?” Honey teased.

“Irritating.”

“I think you protest too much. He’s a very nice, very attractive man. Let’s face it, he’s gorgeous.”

“Aren’t you dating Ira?” Candice spat, confirming Honey’s impression that her friend was indeed attracted to the six foot two, blonde haired, brown eyed man.

“Yes, but irrelevant. I can still admire a buff, attractive man.”

“He’s a hunter. He eats meat.”

“I eat meat. Your family eats meat and hunts. Are you annoyed by them too? Don’t you eat meat at all?”

“Not since I was a kid. I don’t believe in it,” Candice declared piously.

“And you don’t believe others should either?”

“I believe in choice.” It was a grudging statement.

“But not for him?” Honey asked.

“Can we just drop it?”

“Good afternoon, Honey. Nice to see you again, Candice. You look very nice today. Green is a fabulous color on you, Candice,” Garth said as he strolled past their table.

Candice ignored him, except to growl almost inaudibly.

“Have a seat, Garth,” Honey said. “Lacy will be right with you.”

Garth nodded and chose a seat.

“He’s so into you,” Honey whispered. “He couldn’t take his eyes off you.”

“If he was into me, he’d stop hunting,” Candice groused.

“Let me see if I understand this. He should give up his lifestyle for yours?”

“Yes. Everyone should.”

Honey could tell her friend was more frustrated than serious and laughed aloud. “Oh girl, you’ve got so much to learn. Life is a compromise. Live and let live. He’s a good man. Kind, understanding. Great with kids, by the way. Give him a chance before you dismiss him out of hand. You might actually find you have something in common with him, like a shared love of the environment.”

The bell chimed again and half a dozen people strolled in. “I guess I better get back to work. Catch you later.” She winked at Candice and stood to greet the newcomers.