Allison hugged him and then moved back. “You should go on to work. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about coming over. I’m closed today and tomorrow, so I’ll go visit my friend in Billings and stay there until the day after tomorrow. Hopefully this will all be over by then.”
“A friend?” His brow crinkled.
“Yes. Hilda. She took over my flower shop there when I moved here. I’ll contact her and I’m sure she won’t mind me spending a couple days there.”
“Not a good idea. I don’t know that I like the idea of you driving alone out of town.” He motioned to the coffeepot and Allison moved back so he could pour.
He turned and studied her for a moment. “Come on, let’s have breakfast. I want to go to the café and make sure the owner is all right. Looks like it’s open.”
Allison laughed. “Umm, I don’t have any make up on. I don’t want to know what my hair looks like right now and look at my outfit.”
When he took her in, Allison was astounded when Taylor seemed pleased with what he saw. “You look perfect to me.”
“After breakfast, we’re getting your eyes checked.” She rushed to the bathroom and splashed water on her face. Allison then finger combed her hair up into a messy loose bun. When she swiped on lip-gloss Taylor leaned in from the doorway. “Ready?”
She nodded and allowed him to lead her out. While she locked the door, Taylor pressed a kiss to her neck. “Thanks for the wake up.”
The warmth of his breath could not compete with the heat that crept up from that spot and now her face was probably beet red.
That certainly completed her ‘awkward, no make up obviously just rolled out of bed look’.
Chapter 11
Mindy let out a breath as Taylor and Allison walked in. It was the second time she’d seen them together. They seemed to be getting along better than the first time, by the lingering of his hand on her back and the way she smiled at him. As if a secret passed between them.
New relationships were always so fresh and exciting. Although she’d not dated in a couple of years, it made her want to smile despite the current circumstances.
“Good morning,” Allison greeted her. “How are you feeling?”
In truth, she felt guilty. Either her brother’s death had not sunk in, or the fact her parents had taken over her house, filling it with hilarious, continuous bickering and barking of dogs helped. Although she was sure her parents didn’t understand her sense of humor from hearing them argue over everything.
Both had brought a dog. The dogs didn’t get along any better than they did. Although she’d planned to close the café for the week, she’d been glad to get out of the house and escape.
“I’m good. My parents are here...” Mindy left the sentence hanging, not sure what to add.
Both placed their orders and her employee began to make the coffee and bagels.
“I’m so sorry for your loss Mindy,” Allison said. “I didn’t know your brother was living here.”
Mindy nodded. “Nobody really knew, he was pretty much a recluse. Had a lot of issues.”
She accepted a hug from Allison.
Taylor hung back, his gaze moving from her face to behind her to the coffee machine. All the Hamilton’s were very handsome. However, she found Taylor to be distinct. Just as attractive as the twins, he stood out however with a deep cleft in his chin.
Muscular like Tobias and Luke, his presence filled a room. And with a background in law enforcement like Eric Hamilton, he gave the sense of knowing more than was obvious.
He was normally easy-going and always friendly when she’d seen him around town. But there was a standoffish air about him at the same time.
“Notice any new people come in for coffee in the last couple days?” he asked in a flat voice.
Her mind immediately went back to the man she’d seen that morning, maybe twenty minutes earlier. He’d stood outside the café peering in, his expression somber.
“No. Other than the usuals, just a family that was passing through on their way to Cartersville.”
“See a guy in a blue jacket, perhaps mid thirties?” he prompted.
Her heart skipped a bit. “Yes. He stood outside and looked in. But he didn’t come inside.”
“Seen him before?”
She motioned for her employee to serve a woman who’d walked in. Meanwhile, Mindy carried their coffee and bagels on a tray to a table.
“No never. Didn’t look familiar. Should I be concerned?”
Taylor’s brows lowered. “Probably not. Just be sure to keep someone with you when you’re here.”
Although it was good that he didn’t try to bullshit her, his lack of assurance didn’t help her feel better. “Okay. I’m rarely alone here in the café. My parents are coming before closing so we can go out to dinner.”
“Good.” He looked toward the booth. “Should you need anything, give me a call. Eric will be back from Billings later today. I’ll make sure he updates you.”
Mindy scanned the café, the familiarity of it setting her mind at ease. If Eric didn’t call or stop there by nightfall, she’d call him. Hopefully they’d caught the man who’d killed Brian. She squeezed her eyes shut.
Maybe it was too soon for her to be there, but other than sitting at home overcome by sadness, she’d had to get out and do something normal.
Taylor settled across from Allison. He was glad she’d not put makeup on or did whatever women do to fix up. Natural and dressed in the clothes she’d pulled on after making love made him want to pound his chest and let everyone know she’d been his that morning.
Yeah, pretty primitive and embarrassingly teenage emotions, but he’d enjoy it for the moment. Hell, it’d been a long time since he’d felt so much excitement over a woman.
The reality of what he’d been putting off would settle in soon. For now, having been woken up with a beautiful woman sucking him off made him want to drag her back to her place and do a repeat.
Even his hip had barely bothered him that morning. He’d massaged it in the shower under the hot streams of water to keep from limping like he did most mornings. The combination of the amazing mattress and the shower had done wonders.
He’d not taken the painkillers since the day before. Well what do you know?
“What are you so deep in thought about?” Allison’s question brought him back to reality.
A slight blush across her cheeks made him smile. “Sorry. I was staring, wasn’t I?”
“A little.” Her lips curved and she sipped the coffee. “What are you doing today?”
He shrugged. “Same as usual. Working at the ranch and watching you.”
“I’m going to Billings today.”
“No, you’re not.”
She blinked, her brows lifting. “Excuse me?”
“I’m not comfortable with you leaving knowing some guy’s lurking around. He could follow you.”
For a moment, she hesitated and then released a huff. “He’s not a super hero. How’s he going to know I’m going anywhere? I’m going to Billings,” she repeated.
“Fine. I’ll take you.”
“No you won’t. You don’t have to do that.”
“It’s best if I take you.”
She looked toward the counter. “I forgot to ask her when the funeral is.”
“Next week.”
Mindy caught her eye and rounded the counter. “My parents want to meet with you about flowers. Do you have time today or tomorrow?”
Allison nodded, noting Taylor’s smug lift of his lips. “Yes of course. Either day works.”
She let out a sigh when Mindy went back greeting a woman who walked in and hugged her. “I guess that means I’m staying in town.”
“Good idea.”
When Allison laughed, the husky sound made him chuckle.
“You did not win this argument.” She lifted a brow in challenge. “I don’t want to be a burden. How about if I ask Tori if I can stay at her place tonight so you can get more w
ork done?”
“How about you come stay at the ranch for the next two nights?”
“With you? Oh no. I’m not sure I want to do that.”
He gave her a droll look although he wondered what she meant by “that”. “We have a spare room. Luke’s old bedroom.”
“I don’t know.” She bit her lip. “I wish Leah was back.”
Chapter 12
Mindy’s heart skipped a beat when Eric Hamilton walked through the front door.
Hopefully he’d bring good news. It was time for them to put Bryan to rest and her family to move on. As if in some sort of alternate reality, she and her parents went through the motions of every day life in a fog. Like when her grandmother died, the aftermath of death was always such a hard thing. With her brother being so young and his death a murder, it was even harder to grasp and fathom that he was gone so suddenly.
The expression on Eric’s face gave little indication of what he was about to say. His steely gaze moved from the display of pastries to her face. “Hello Mindy.”
Two simple words and yet in that moment once again her breath hitched at his deep voice saying it.
“Any news?” The customers in the shop were obviously aware of what had happened. Little could be kept secret in Laurel Creek. Heads turned following Eric’s trail to where she stood.
He moved closer and spoke in a soft voice. It was comical when two ladies seated at a nearby table leaned forward, their eyes locked on Eric.
“We have a suspect. There is a warrant out. Just waiting. I came back here in case he returns for whatever reason.”
She thought back to the man she’d seen earlier and her skin crawled. “What does he look like?”
Eric took her by the arm and guided her to a small storage room away from the prying eyes and ears. Once inside the tight space, the intimacy of the closed quarters made her hypersensitive.
“Did you see someone?” His gaze bore into hers.
“I think so. No one I knew. But there was a man in a blue jacket. He stood outside for a long while this morning. He gave me a strange feeling. I called my parents and told them to lock the doors and stay inside.” She sighed. “Probably just me being paranoid.”
“No, it’s understandable and actually a good idea until the guy’s caught.”
It was hard to look him in the face. He was so much taller than her and although slightly slimmer than the other Hamiltons, he was not a small guy. Although he’d yet to release her arm, she wasn’t about to ask him to. It was reassuring; the touch and the strength emanating from him.
Brows drawn together, he was quiet as she described the man she’d seen. Young, about thirty, with dark brown hair and glasses. The fairly nondescript guy would normally never stand out. But with it being so soon after the murder, everyone who was unfamiliar got her attention.
“Sounds like a reporter who was nosing around. If he comes in here and starts asking questions, let me know.”
Allison jogged down the stairs and through the shop to answer the door. The constant bell ringing although the sign on the window was turned off was surprising. One of the downsides of living above your business was the locals knew you were there.
The wife of a prominent rancher walked in along with her air of entitlement.
If only Allison would have ignored the bell.
“How can I help you today? I’m currently closed.”
The woman lifted a brow. “Oh, I didn’t notice. The lights were on.”
Allison looked up to the darkened lights and waited.
“I need flowers for an impromptu afternoon get-together. I require two large centerpieces, an arrangement for the bathroom and another two for my sitting room. Can you manage that while I go over to pick up some food?”
She placed both hands across her ample bosom following up with a dramatic sigh. “Everyone thinks it’s so easy to host these things. With only a day’s notice.”
Allison wouldn’t know but she nodded sympathetically. “When do you need this by?”
The woman glanced at her diamond-studded watch. “Two hours? Is that enough time?
“Not really.” Allison scanned her limited selection of flowers. “A new shipment doesn’t come in until Monday. If you don’t mind them being simple, I may be able to come up with the arrangements for you.”
“Fine.” The woman’s aggravated sigh made Allison fight hard not to roll her eyes. “I’ll be back at 4.” She left without giving any information. No name, phone number or anything. Obviously everyone was supposed to know who she was.
As soon as the woman left, her cell dinged. It was a text from Taylor.
Have to go out of town.
Texted Eric. He’s back.
Let me know if you have a
Place to stay tonight.
You can still come here.
She read the text several times. Actually Taylor leaving town worked out well. She’d have time to make the arrangements, ensure the place was locked up tight and stay there.
Daylight always gave people courage. The shadows and night sounds would strip it away, of that she had no doubts.
Through the window, the patrol car was parked in front of the café. Allison grabbed her sweatshirt from the back of a chair, picked up her keys and headed out.
The bell over the café door dinged and every eye turned to her. Two women were at one table sipping coffee. At another table, a couple chatted over sandwiches and drinks.
There was no one behind the counter. One of the women looked to her. “They are in the back office. Mindy and the policeman.”
It was best to wait. Allison sat at the closest table.
When Eric walked out, Allison asked about what Taylor had texted.
Eric had not seen Taylor’s text and quickly scanned it after Allison told him.
While reading, he motioned her outside. “Too many perked ears in there,” he said with a smile. They walked back to her shop together
Once inside, he placed his cell back into his front shirt pocket. “Look, I don’t want you staying here alone. Although we have a suspect, he’s still out there. Can you stay somewhere?”
It would be an inconvenience, but she nodded. “Yes.” Allison told him about the guy she’d seen from her window.
Eric seemed sure the suspect was in Billings and the guy she and Mindy had seen was a reporter. Once he left, she began to quickly put the arrangements together for the woman. Glad for the work as it was a great distractor.
Tori’s laughter rang out as Allison talked about the encounter with the snooty woman who’d returned for the centerpieces.
“I suppose they will have to do,” the woman had stated and made a production of pulling twenty-five dollars from her Louis Vuitton wallet. “For your effort.”
“What do you plan to do with all that cash?” Tori asked. “Don’t spend it all in one place.”
“I got this bottle of wine and we’re going to order takeout. How about that?”
Tori shook her head. “No pizza please.”
Just a few blocks from the flower shop, Tori lived in a cute one-story cottage. Every time Allison drove or walked by, it reminded her of a fairytale house.
She looked around the space. Tori’s taste for décor was Allison’s absolute opposite. Where Allison preferred clean lines, Tori’s home was more on the eclectic side. The colorful throw pillows on a bright red couch and modern art on the walls matched Tori’s bubbly personality.
The petite woman had worn her hair waist length in high school. Now her hair was a flattering pixie cut. Dangling earrings shimmered from her ears as she turned to face where Allison sat.
“You know, it’s so nice to spend time with you now. Remember how we always used to hang out at each other’s houses?”
“Until you started dating Tobias,” Allison quipped. “Then it was all googly eyes and kissy-kissy faces.”
Tori sighed. “Those days things were so simple.” Her bright eyes snapped to Allison. “Speaking of the Hamil
tons, what’s up with you and Taylor? You seemed pretty engrossed in each other the other night.”
“Yeah, it’s kinda strange. I’m not sure what’s going on between us. We had sex. It was amazing.” Allison giggled. “I can’t believe it. Remember how I used to obsess over him?”
“Do I?” Tori laughed. “You would flush and start sweating any time he came around. You and him never got together back then?”
“No,” Allison exclaimed. “I was too tongue-tied to do more than stare at him and try to breathe. And then I dated Jake for the last two years of high school.”
“So, it was amazing huh?” Tori sipped her wine. “I miss amazing sex.”
“No one in your life then either huh?”
“Nope. I haven’t dated in a couple of years. With the restaurant, I barely have time to breathe. Sometimes I think I should sell it. I want to do something else. I just wish I knew what.”
They sat in companionable silence. Both looked at the television screen, but not really watching the movie.
“What happened between you and Tobias? You never said why you broke off the engagement.” The wine gave Allison the boldness to ask. She’d already moved to Billings when she learned from Leah that Tori and Tobias had cancelled their wedding.
Tori looked down into her wine. “You know, it seems so childish now. Instead of supporting him, giving him encouragement while he fought overseas, I wrote him a Dear John letter.”
“Oh goodness. Why did you do that?”
“I was terrified for him. I didn’t want to continuously freak out every time I heard something in the news. I hated every minute of it. I broke it off because I didn’t want to be his girlfriend if he died over there. The stupid thing was, after we broke up, I hated not knowing. So I was always glued to the news sites even more.”
“You were eighteen Tori. Give yourself a break. War is a hard thing for a teenager to handle.”
Tori shook her head. “Maybe. But he was barely past his teens himself and was over there fighting. He put his life on the line and I was so horrible to him. If something had happened to him, I would have never forgiven myself.”
Broken: Taylor Page 7