by Sable Hunter
“Sure.” Canyon shrugged. “Be glad to.” He waited while Joplin gave Jonah all applicable information.
“Great,” Jonah told her. “Let me look at it closer, then call you with an estimate. Once I get started, it won’t take long.”
“Sounds great.” Joplin gave him a grateful smile. “Thank you.”
While Jonah loaded the Subaru onto his tow truck, Joplin climbed into Canyon’s truck.
“Where to?” he asked her, turning the key to start the engine.
“Well, I live at Oakdale on Paschal. If you’re not in a big rush, I was on my way to run a fairly important errand.”
She looked at Canyon with such hope, he couldn’t say no. “Let’s run your errand. Where to?”
Joplin clapped her hands. “It won’t take long, but I need to sign the final lease for my shop. The insurance was approved and I’ve put down earnest money. All I need to do is put my John Henry on the bottom line and it’s mine.”
“Okay. Where to?” Canyon repeated, since she hadn’t given him that key bit of information.
“Oh, yea.” She laughed, giving him the address for the office at Boardwalk Pavilion. “I sure do appreciate your help.”
“No problem.” He headed in the direction she gave, eager to do his good deed, then get on with his day. He couldn’t help but mull over John Callan’s question about Seren.
When he arrived at the Boardwalk Pavilion, Canyon got out to stretch his legs while Joplin ran in to complete the real estate transaction. Leaning against the side of his truck, he did a little people watching, waving at a couple of familiar faces he saw passing by. As he watched an elderly couple moving slowly down the sidewalk, he grinned to see the old gentleman was carrying his wife’s purse and holding her hand protectively. The sight gave him an odd twinge in the region of his heart. What would it be like to love someone so deeply for so long?
He could only imagine.
As his eyes followed their snail-like pace, he caught sight of someone else. Someone familiar. Could it be…
“Yay, me!” Joplin came running up and threw her arms around Canyon’s neck. Before he could protest, she kissed him soundly.
…Across the street, Seren was coming out of the SAS store after buying a pair of shoes that Doris guaranteed would keep her feet from hurting. She’d no more than stepped onto the sidewalk before she saw Joplin Capri embracing Canyon. The kiss they exchanged burned Seren to her very soul.
“Well, that didn’t take long,” she whispered, hurrying away before either one of them caught sight of her.
…Canyon did his best to extricate himself from Joplin’s embrace without too much fuss and muss. “Congratulations,” he murmured, taking hold of her arms and easing her back a few inches. “I’m happy for you.”
“I could make you happier,” she offered with a hopeful, flirtatious expression.
Canyon laughed, a hint of reticence in the sound. “I think I’d better take you home. You’re more of a distraction than I can manage today.” He hoped his gentle excuse didn’t offend her too much.
“Ah, okay.” Joplin backed off and held her hands up. “So, you just want to be friends. I guess there’s someone else.”
“I could always use another friend.” Joplin was a very pretty, sexy lady. There was just something…holding him back. Or someone.
“Me too. Friends it is,” she agreed good-naturedly, hooking her arm with his. “Thanks for playing chauffeur. Home, James.”
The rest of their time together, Joplin never quit talking. During the short drive from downtown to the apartments where she lived, Canyon learned a myriad of facts about his new friend. “I’m an extrovert, as you can tell. I love to listen to live music and I adore dancing.” She snapped her fingers to music no one could hear but her. “I’m going to love living near Austin, not only for the music but also for the food. I love BBQ!”
Canyon didn’t add much to the conversation, he didn’t really get a chance.
Once they arrived at Oakdale, he was immediately struck by the fact it was a gated apartment building. “This looks like a nice place to live.”
“It’ll do,” Joplin said as she opened the door to leave. “I do appreciate your help, Canyon.” Giving him a slow, teasing wink, she left the door open to other things. “And if you change your mind and want more than friendship, let me know. Stop by the bakery on opening day, donuts will be on me.”
“Thank you and you’re welcome for the help,” he told her. “I wish you all the luck in the world with your business.” Even though it was daylight, he waited until she was safely inside the gate, then went on his way.
…Seren took deliberate strides through the grass, head down. She’d walked the mile and half across town to buy the shoes and now she was heading back to Hardbodies at a fast pace. Every step forward was met by another memory – another regret. Today just sealed the deal. The sight of Canyon kissing Joplin Capri had devastated her. She couldn’t stay in Kerrville, it was just too painful. Spotting him in town might’ve been a fluke, but Seren couldn’t live with the constant chance of running into him at any moment. When Gregori passed his sentence, she hadn’t understood what it really meant to live on the fringe of Canyon’s life and him not even realize she was there.
As her feet ate up the distance, Seren was so deep in thought that she didn’t hear the truck pull up beside her.
“Hey, Seren, Miss Whitewing, can I give you a ride?”
To go from thinking about Canyon to hearing his voice right next to her stole Seren’s breath and her equilibrium. The next step she took collided with a rock and she went tumbling to the ground in a heap of klutzy femininity.
“Hey, are you all right?” Canyon slammed on his brakes and was out of the truck in a flash. Before she could answer, he hauled her up in his arms, and carried her straight to his truck.
“My bag!” was all she could manage in the shock of being swept off her tushy.
“I’ll get it,” Canyon assured her, balancing her slight form on one knee as he opened the passenger door. “Just sit here and rest a second.”
“Canyon, I can’t.”
He heard her soft protest and by the time he retrieved her bag, she was opening the door to escape. “Wait.” Gently, he blocked her way. “I’m just trying to help. I wanted to talk to you. I was on my way to see you when I saw you walking down the road.”
“Why?” She sat on the edge of the seat, her body primed to run.
Canyon looked at her blankly, as if she should find his answer obvious. “To make sure you were all right. And…” Big ‘and’. “And because I wanted to see you again.”
“Why? You’re seeing…someone.” I saw you with someone. I saw you kissing Joplin.
“No. I’m not,” he answered her emphatically. “I haven’t kept serious company with a woman in years.”
Not counting what he’d done with her, of course, Seren thought. She didn’t know where Joplin fit into things, but Canyon made it sound like the woman wasn’t in the picture. She still didn’t understand the kiss, but she’d also never known him to be dishonest about such things. So…Seren believed him.
“That’s a shame,” was her soft response.
“A damn shame,” he agreed with a tender grin on his face.
A wave of longing swamped Seren. He was standing so close. If she merely lifted her hand, she could touch him. He would be warm. Solid like an oak. Seren knew she looked so different, she could scarcely believe he wanted to see her. But…he didn’t remember how she’d looked before. Covering her face with both hands, she whispered, “I’m so confused.”
“Are you afraid of me?” The very idea horrified Canyon. “I know I’m big, but I swear I’m not like Diego.”
“I know you’re not.”
Her soft admission gave him leave to make another suggestion. “Let me take you home or wherever you were going. There’s no need for you to walk when I’m here to be your escort. If you’re worrying about taking exercise, there’s b
etter ways than using the side of a busy road as a hiking trail.”
Exercise? Seren’s eyes widened. She hadn’t even thought of that. Glancing down at her body, she blushed red. “Yea, I guess I need to exercise.”
“No. You don’t.” Canyon took hold of the door. “Pull your legs in and I’ll take you home.”
Seren was still reticent, but remembering Diego’s threats, she did as he asked. Once they were on the way, she admitted to herself that she felt relieved. “I do appreciate this, Canyon. I know walking down the side of the road wasn’t really smart, but I don’t have a car and I didn’t want to bother anyone.”
“Next time, tell me what you need, I can guarantee it won’t be a bother.” The firm tone of his voice brooked no argument. “So, tell me about yourself.”
Alarm bells began to go off in Seren’s head. “Uh, there’s not much to say. I’m pretty boring.”
“I doubt that.” Canyon felt like he was pulling teeth trying to get her to talk to him. Nevertheless, he was so glad she was here, he was willing to do whatever it took to make her comfortable. “How old are you?”
Great. What to say? “According to my driver’s license, I’m twenty-four.”
Canyon cut her a shrewd glance. “Are you underage? Do you have a fake ID so you can get work in a bar?”
The idea was so absurd Seren threw back her head and laughed heartily. “No. I’m not underage.” Just the opposite, in fact. “At all.” At his skeptical look, she sobered. “Honest.”
“Okay. So, you’re twenty-four. Where are you from?” Canyon asked, then realized he was grilling her. “Sorry, I didn’t intend to give you the third degree.”
“It’s okay.” Seren’s heart went out to him. Truthfully, she’d never seen Canyon this way. He really seemed to want to know everything about her. Unwilling to give him the planted memories, she decided less was best. “I’ve moved around a bit. The only place I’ve ever considered home is just a little way southeast of here.” His house. Remembering she wasn’t supposed to know anything about him, she returned the favor. “How about you?”
“I work in Kerrville at Tebow Ranch. Like you, my place is a few miles southeast of here. In the country, not too far from Canyon Lake. I wonder if we were neighbors? Those hills are so wooded, you don’t always know how close another house might be.”
Ignoring what he said about neighbors, she keyed on his first name, teasing him, “I often wondered who they named Canyon Lake after and now I know.”
Canyon chuckled. “Hardly. That big pond of water has been called Canyon Lake for a long time. Do you have a big family?”
“No.” After being exiled, she could safely say she was alone. “No family. Not anymore”
“Sorry.” Shaking his head, he realized he was getting exactly nowhere with her. “Okay, let’s make it fun. I’ll tell you three things about myself and you tell me three things about you. All right?”
“Okay.” Maybe. Being in his presence made Seren nervous. She was so afraid she’d crumble and confess everything. “You first.”
“All right.” Canyon considered what he wanted to say. For some inexplicable reason, he wanted things to be different with this woman. For years, he’d shut himself off from all but a few people. Maybe this would be a good place to start. “I’m divorced. I lost my only child to cancer, a little boy. His name was Matty. I’m a blacksmith. I like to work with my hands. I also make metal art sculpture.” He gave her a hopeful glance. “Yea, I know that’s more than three. So…one more won’t hurt. I’m…lonely.”
His confession almost paralyzed her. “I’m so, so sorry about your son. I can’t imagine how you must feel. And the divorce. You have my heartfelt sympathy.” Seren tightened every muscle to keep from launching herself into his arms. “The art work is fascinating. I’m sure you’re very talented. As for me, like I said, I’m boring. Single. No children. Waiting tables is the only paid job I’ve ever held. I’m not a very good cook and I write bad poetry. Nothing to brag about at all.”
“Bad poetry? I’d like to be the judge of that. If you show me one of your poems, I’ll show you one of my metal sculptures.” Good going, Canyon. Invite her over to watch Netflix and chill, why don’t you?
Seren wanted to jump at the chance to be with him. The only thing stopping her was the possibility of doing him harm. Thankfully, their arriving at Hardbodies saved her from having to answer either way. “We’re here. Thanks for the ride.”
Canyon cursed under his breath. He wasn’t ready to let her go. When he saw she was about to pull the door handle, he held up his hand. “Hold on. I’ll walk you to your door.”
After debating the futility of sprinting away, Seren remained in her seat. Watching him come around the truck to assist her, it hit Seren that she hadn’t thanked him for standing guard last evening. Once they were face to face, she had a hard time keeping her emotions in check. “Uh, Canyon, before I go…I wanted to tell you I saw you last night. Watching my place.”
Canyon groaned softly, “Believe me, I wasn’t being weird. I…”
“You were watching out for me.” Been there. Done that. “I know what you were doing and I don’t know how to thank you. That was a very nice thing to do.” She shrugged. “I’m just glad Diego didn’t come back, not that I expected him to. I think he was all bark.”
“I hope you’re right.” Canyon stuffed his hands in his jeans and scuffed his boot on the ground. “I couldn’t risk it. The idea of him harming you was unacceptable. Unthinkable.” As if a magnet was pulling him, Canyon moved an inch or two nearer to her. Near enough to see her tremble. Near enough to hear the soft pants coming from her lips. Near enough to see the flush of arousal on her skin and the hardened peaks of her nipples. He might be off his game, but he’d bet everything he owned she was as attracted to him as he was to her. “Honey, I’m so drawn to you. I’d give anything to get to know you better. Do you feel the same way?”
Seren felt like she was being torn in two. She held onto the edge of his seat so hard, her fingernails made half-moon creases in the vinyl leather. “It wouldn’t be wise.”
Wise? At the moment, Canyon wasn’t particularly worried about being wise. “I don’t understand. I’m afraid you’re going to have to be blunt with me. If you want me to get lost, Seren, you’re going to have to say so.”
Seren’s mouth opened. She tried to form the words to tell him she had no interest in him. That she had no desire to be near him.
Canyon could see she was struggling. He wanted to reach out and touch her so much, just to run a fingertip down the silken skin of her cheek would be amazing. Garnering his strength, Canyon refrained, managing to keep his hands to himself with great difficulty. Scaring her was the last thing he wanted to do. “Talk to me, beautiful. Tell me to go away and I will. Better yet, tell me to stay and I promise you won’t be sorry.”
With tears forming in her eyes, she told him the only truth she could, “I’m in love with someone.” You. You! You! She wanted to scream. YOU!
Canyon jerked, visibly flinching from her words. God. He should’ve known. “You are?”
“Yes.” She chewed on her lower lip. “Could we be friends?” Now that she’d been near him once more, Seren couldn’t bear cutting ties with him completely. “I’m a good friend to have. I’m loyal. Trustworthy.” With a bit of sad humor, she realized her description sounded more like a good dog than a person.
Friends. Part of Canyon wanted to scream NO! He didn’t want to be her friend. He wasn’t crazy – there was something between them. Something more than damn friendship. “Where is he? Why is he letting you be here? Alone?” Canyon pointed to the small trailer. “Why aren’t you with him? Why are you without a car? Waiting tables? Why isn’t he here standing between you and assholes like Diego Valencia?”
“He’s…” Here. With me. You. You! “There are…circumstances.”
She didn’t have to say anything more. Canyon knew. The bastard was married. If he wasn’t married, he was a jerk
. Suddenly, a plan emerged through the fog of his desperation. Like the sun peeping through a mass of dark clouds, Canyon could see the light. He’d just have to show her there were better men out there than the bastard she was in love with – namely him. “All right. Friends we will be.” He held out his hand. “Hello, friend.” He seemed to be on a roll collecting friends today.
Seren was stunned. This, she hadn’t expected. She knew Canyon better than anyone and he didn’t have female friends. None. He was friendly with the wives of his friends – but that was it. Lifting her hand slowly, she placed it in his. The electric shock generated by the caress of his skin to hers caused tingles to sweep her arm and radiate over her entire body. “Hey.”
Giving her a mysterious smile, he began to make plans in his head. “Great. I look forward to this. Friends do all kinds of things together, you know.” He stepped back and offered her his arm. “Like making sure the other one is all tucked in safe and sound.”
At the prospect of seeing more of Canyon, even as friends, settled into her mind, she couldn’t help but feel a ray of hope bloom in her heart. “Would you like to come in for coffee? That’s something friends do, right?”
“Oh, yea. Coffee.” Canyon couldn’t help but smile. This might not be so difficult after all. “That sounds great.” He waited until she unlocked the door, then he held it open while she entered. Once inside, he was struck by how bare everything looked. A few pieces of furniture occupied the space, but there was nothing personal. Nothing. In fact, it looked like she’d arrived with the clothes on her back. With nothing. Was she running from something? Someone?
“Sit anywhere,” she told him breezily. “I’ll put on a pot to brew. I don’t have a fancy coffee machine, so it will take a minute or two.”
“I don’t mind.” Actually, that was sort of the idea. To spend time with her. As he waited, Canyon tried to get a handle on his mind-set. Yes, he knew he was acting out of character. Their interactions, though dramatic in that he’d prevented her from possibly being assaulted or raped, didn’t really warrant this extreme, intense need to be near her, to learn everything about her. He had no explanation for the way he felt, Canyon only knew how compelled he was to be a part of her life – for her to be part of his. And if friendship was the only door open to him at the moment, he’d walk through that door and make himself at home. “How long have you worked at Hardbodies?”