Tessa stroked a tiny part of the cat’s fur that seemed unmarred. He let out a small meow. “Only once. I’ve been putting out milk, and he’s been drinking that, but he hasn’t wanted anyone to get too close, I don’t think.”
Sounded familiar. “The vet will be able to fix him up.”
She nibbled on her bottom lip. “I hope so.”
The minutes seemed to drag on and fly by at the same time. When I pulled up to the small animal hospital, Tessa was out of the SUV before I even had the thing turned off. I hurried after her, catching up by the time she reached the door. I pushed it open and held it for her.
Tessa rushed to the front desk. “I found this kitten, and he’s hurt pretty bad. Can you help?”
The older woman stood and rounded the counter. “Oh, no, that poor baby. I’ll take him back to the doctor right now.”
Tessa hesitated for only half a second before placing the kitten in the other woman’s arms. “Thank you.”
“Of course, honey. Just have a seat, and someone will be out to talk to you when we know what’s what.” The woman turned and quickly headed to the back of the clinic.
Tessa turned, hands fisting around the sweatshirt I’d given her. “He’s so tiny.” A shudder wracked her body.
“Why don’t you put that on,” I suggested, pointing to the item in her hands. “You’re cold.” It was silly to focus on that when I knew she was so worried about her little friend. But this was something I could fix. Something in my control when so much else was out of it.
She nodded and slipped the cotton material over her head. There was a weird tightening in my chest when I saw her wearing my clothes. There seemed to be a rightness about it. I was officially losing it.
I shook my head and gestured towards the chairs in the waiting room. “Let’s sit. Are you hungry? Can I get you anything?” Fuck, I sounded like a worried mother.
Tessa picked a chair in the empty waiting room and sat. “I’m fine.”
I glanced at the other empty chairs. Is it weird if I sit next to her? Weirder if I don’t? I went for it, lowering myself into the chair on her left.
Silence filled the room, the only sound the ticking of the second hand on a wall clock. I flipped my phone between my fingers, spinning it in circles.
“How do you do that and not drop it?” Tessa’s voice almost made me drop the phone. It was the first real question she’d ever asked me, the first conversation she’d initiated, even if it was because we were in forced proximity.
I chuckled. “I’ve been doing it forever. Guitar picks, drumsticks, phones. Whatever’s around. My hands like to stay busy. Hell, I’m pretty sure my mom put me in music lessons to keep me from destroying items in her house.”
“It worked, apparently.”
I glanced in Tessa’s direction. Her cheeks were rosy against her creamy, white complexion. Peaches and cream, that’s what she was. I cleared my throat. “It did. I became obsessed. It was rare I was ever more than arm’s length from my guitar.”
She nodded, studying me with a thoughtful expression. “You really love it, don’t you? Making music.”
My mind flashed back to her watching me play for Noah. “I love most of it.”
A tiny furrow appeared in Tessa’s brow. “What do you mean?”
I continued twirling the phone between my fingers as I tried to think of a way to explain how I felt about it all. “The thing I love most is the creation. A concept can come to me in a million different ways. It’s never exactly the same. Sometimes, it’s a melody running through the back of my mind. Sometimes, it’s a lyric that jumps up out of nowhere. Sometimes, it’s a feeling that I’m doing my best to capture.” It had been so long since I’d felt the pleasure of creating like that. My label’s restrictions and requirements pressed down and stifled any creative joy I might have had.
A wistful smile took over Tessa’s face. “That sounds magical.”
“It is.”
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “What don’t you like?”
That pressure clamped down on my shoulders, but I forced a chuckle. “What don’t I like? I don’t like the kind of box my label is forcing me into. I don’t like the paparazzi hounding my every move, and the media making up ludicrous stories. I don’t like that whole world.”
I’d never actually said any of that out loud before. I’d always been aware that it would make me sound like a pompous ass, ungrateful for everything I had been given. I met Tessa’s gaze, afraid of the disgust I might see there.
There was only understanding and empathy. “You probably feel like every move you make will be scrutinized. Always afraid you’ll make a mistake, and there will be hell to pay.”
My eyes widened just a bit. Tessa got it. “That’s it at the core.”
Her gaze drifted away. “That’s no way to live.”
“No, it’s not.” I leaned back in my chair. “But it’s been nice here. People pretty much leave me alone.” Well, other than that Bridgette chick, but I was sure she’d gotten the message now. “The fans that do come up to me don’t post photos. No one even knows I’m in Oregon. It’s a miracle.”
Tessa played with the strings on my hoodie. “I’m glad you’ve gotten that here. Sutter Lake is a pretty special place.”
I watched the flickering light from above play over her face. God, she was gorgeous. “It is pretty special.”
Footsteps squeaked against the linoleum floor, and both Tessa and I got to our feet. An older gentleman wearing scrubs and a medical jacket rounded the corner. “Hello there, I’m Dr. Maroney.”
I reached out to shake his hand while Tessa just nodded. “What can you tell us?” I asked.
Dr. Maroney’s face grew somber. “I’m afraid the little guy has been through the wringer. I think he might have been hit by a bike or even clipped by a car. I’ve stitched up the wound on his back, but I’m afraid the break on his leg is going to require surgery.”
I peeked at Tessa. Tears filled her eyes, but she did her best to hold them back as she fisted the material of my sweatshirt so hard her knuckles turned white. I met the vet’s gaze. “Do whatever you need to.”
Dr. Maroney laced his fingers in front of him. “I have to warn you, surgeries like this are risky and can be expensive. I can have Dolores ring up an estimate for you—"
I cut him off. “That’s not necessary. Just do whatever you can to fix him up. Cost isn’t an issue.”
The vet’s brows rose ever so slightly. “All right. We’ll do the surgery first thing tomorrow. Let’s just have you fill out some paperwork first.”
Tessa and I settled back into chairs as I filled out forms with my contact and billing information. A delicate hand brushed my arm. The touch was light, barely contact at all, but heat flared where her skin met mine.
“Thank you for doing this.”
I swallowed against the dryness in my throat. “Of course. We need to get that tiny guy fit to fight another day.”
A small smile pulled at her lips. “It’s really kind of you.”
Heat crept up the back of my neck. “It’s nothing.”
Tessa’s hand squeezed my arm for a brief second and then released it. “It’s everything to him.”
LEANING FORWARD, I punched the dial on my SUV’s stereo, music from an oldies station drifting from the speakers, a remedy to the silence that had been filling the vehicle. I relaxed back in my seat.
My gaze flitted over to Tessa. Her fingers twisted and untwisted the strings of my hoodie into and out of intricate knots as she stared out the window. The passing scenery was dark now, the trees casting ominous shadows on the road.
I cleared my throat. “Why don’t you put your number in my phone.” I slid the device out of the cupholder and held it in her direction. She stared at it for a good five count. I pressed on. “That way, I can text you when I hear from the vet tomorrow.”
Tessa lifted the phone from my fingers. “Oh, right. Of course.” Those same delicate fingers that h
ad made my arm flare with heat tapped on the screen. “It’s in there.” She dropped the cell back into the cupholder.
The notes of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Have You Ever Seen the Rain were the only sound now. The song ebbed and flowed. When the final lyrics ran out, Tessa shifted in her seat. “Do you think he’ll be okay?”
I couldn’t help the small grin that came to my lips. Tessa was a total tender heart. “I think he’s a fighter.”
She nodded, looking back out the window. “You’re right. He’s strong. He was so tiny, but somehow, he’s made it on his own this long.”
I wondered how long Tessa had been on her own. The question escaped me before I could think better of it. “How long have you lived in Sutter Lake?”
Tessa stiffened in her seat. “Why?”
I shrugged a shoulder, doing my best to sound casual. “Just curious. I know you didn’t grow up with the Cole family, so I assumed you moved here at some point.”
She licked her perfect bow lips, the action making me sit up a little straighter. “About two years.”
I wanted to know more. I wanted to know everything. “Where did you move from?” Even if she didn’t answer, her reaction might tell me something.
Tessa wiped her hands on her jeans. “The east coast.”
“Where back there?”
A touch of heat flared in her eyes. “You’re really nosy, you know that?”
I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. “Okay…why don’t you ask me something then?” Maybe if I turned the tables, I could get her to relax.
Tessa crossed her arms and stared out the window. “There isn’t anything I want to know.”
I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel. “Look, I know you have no interest in going out with me, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be friends, right?” She sent me a dubious look. “I only know a handful of people here. Taylor’s all wrapped up in Walker, young love and all that. I could use some more friends.”
Tessa let out a sigh. “I can’t be a very good friend.” Her words were soft, almost ashamed.
My tapping fingers stilled. “Why do you think that?”
“I know that. Because I can’t talk to you about my past, and if you push me, I’ll bite your head off like I did a few seconds ago. How can you be friends with someone who won’t let you know them?”
Tessa’s words broke my fucking heart. If this were truly how she felt she had to live her life, she must be incredibly lonely. A muscle in my cheek ticked. “Okay, no past. I can work with that.”
Tessa’s eyes widened a fraction. “You can work with that?”
“I can.” I sent her a smile. “As long as you’re good with telling me your favorite foods, I feel fairly confident we can build a friendship around that.”
A surprised laugh erupted from Tessa. The sound was everything music should be. I knew in that moment I’d work my ass off to capture it in a song and make my inspiration repeat the noise as much as possible.
She leaned back in her seat. “Taylor mentioned you’re easily motivated with food.”
I let out a sound of affront. “What a little traitor that one is.”
Tessa’s smile widened, and I felt as if someone elbowed me in the gut. Jesus, that was lethal. “Good thing I know my way around the kitchen, then. I can always get you to do my bidding.” She seemed almost surprised that the words had come out of her mouth, shocked that she would actually joke with me.
I didn’t want the moment to end. “I’m perfectly fine with you bribing me with baked goods for any and all bidding.”
Tessa began twisting the strings of my hoodie again, but the smile didn’t fall from her face.
I PULLED into the drive of my rented cabin to find Walker leaning against the door of his truck. I swung in next to him and hopped out, doing my best to hide what I was sure was a dopey grin on my face. Tessa had agreed to friendship. It might as well have been the keys to the fucking kingdom.
“Where have you been hiding? I was just about to give up on you,” Walker called as he pushed off his rig.
I rounded my SUV. “Did we have plans?”
Walker reached into the bed of his truck, retrieving a pile of Tupperware. “Nope. But my mom was worried you might be starving to death over here, so she sent me over with a world of leftovers.”
I rubbed my hands together with glee. “Come to Papa.” Whatever it was smelled delicious.
He handed me the stack of goodies. “So, what have you been up to?”
I took the pile and motioned for him to follow me inside. “I ran into Tessa.”
Walker’s brows rose. “And how’d that go?”
I unlocked the front door and pushed it open, moving inside. “Well, she found a kitten she’d been taking care of beat to hell. He was hit by something. We’re not sure what. So, I took her and him to the emergency vet.”
“That girl has a soft center.” Walker scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “I’m honestly surprised she got in a car with you alone. She’s never ridden with me, Tuck, or my dad. No man I know of.”
Something about that filled my heart with pride. Tessa had been desperate, sure, but she’d given me that little bit of trust anyway. “I’m hoping she’ll start to let me in a little more now, but I’m not sure. Any ideas?”
Walker tapped a finger against his lips. “Horses.”
“Horses?”
Walker grinned. “Yup, she’s real close to those wild horses of Jensen’s. I bet if you invite her to do something involving horses, she might just say yes.”
Horses it was.
15
Tessa
I hummed as I flitted around the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on some cupcakes. My good mood had made its way to the confections in front of me, each cupcake decorated in an artful array of colors. I sprinkled pink sugar crystals on one, my mind drifting to the various texts I’d received over the past few days.
The first let me know that my sweet little kitten friend had made it through surgery with flying colors. The vet wanted to keep him at the clinic for about a week, but he was optimistic that the little guy would make a complete recovery.
Then the inquisition started. Usually, questions made me clam up and run for the hills, but Liam kept his promise. Nothing about my past. And true to his word, the questions mostly revolved around food.
Liam: What’s your favorite kind of cookie?
Me: What?
Liam: These are the important questions that are vital to our friendship. Favorite kind of cookie?
Me: Uh, gingersnap.
Liam: Interesting.
Liam: Hamburgers or hot dogs?
Me: Trick question. Cheeseburger.
I laughed softly at the reminder. The easier the questions that came, the more my guard lowered, and the more I was charmed by Liam’s unexpected and gentle humor.
A knock sounded on the doorway to the kitchen. I spun, the bag of icing I held in my hands erupting as I did. The frosting landed right smack in the middle of Liam Fairchild’s chest. My hand flew to my mouth.
He looked down at his icing-covered shirt and then up at me. “Well, to be fair, I was going to ask for a cupcake.”
Taylor, who had been standing behind him, dissolved into laughter. “His need to get to the food finally gets the best of him.”
“Shut it.” Liam turned, swiping some of the frosting with his finger and attempting to wipe it on Taylor’s face.
Taylor dashed out of his reach and ducked behind me. “Save me, Tessa!”
I couldn’t help the giggle that rose. Reaching behind me, I grabbed my mixing spoon. “Now, Liam, that’s no way to treat a lady.”
Liam pressed forward, frosting-covered finger extended. “That’s no lady. That’s a traitor.”
Taylor peeked out from behind me. “Liam Fairchild, you wipe that frosting on me, and I’ll tell Sarah not to give you any more leftovers.”
Liam’s hand and jaw dropped. “You wouldn’t.”
“You don’t fight fair.”
Taylor released her hold on me, victorious. “I fight to win.”
“Here.” I handed Liam a towel. “Sorry about that.” My cheeks heated.
Liam took the cloth from my hand, our fingers brushing for a brief second, sending a tingle up my arm. “No big thing. If I had to be mortally wounded, death by frosting would be a good way to go.”
I ducked my head. “So, what are you guys doing here?” I looked at Taylor, but she pointed at Liam.
“I’m here to tell you we’re going horseback riding today. When you get off at two.”
I set the empty bag of frosting down on the counter. “I don’t know.”
Taylor squeezed my shoulder. “I promise you, he’s harmless. Well, as long as you don’t come between him and his next meal, he’s harmless.”
I wanted to laugh, but all I could think about was how Garrett had seemed harmless at first, too. I’d thought he was kind and charming. How wrong I’d been. I squeezed my eyes closed. Not every man is Garrett.
Liam cleared his throat. “I invited Noah to go with us, too. I hope that’s okay.”
My eyes opened to Liam’s hesitant face. There was uncertainty there that said he was worried he might have overstepped. I let out the breath I had been holding. A ride would be okay. Especially if Noah was along. “I guess I could go for an hour or so.”
The smile that lit Liam’s face hit me right in the ovaries. He couldn’t just unleash that thing on the unsuspecting public. It was way too dangerous. “Awesome. I’ll come back to get you in a couple hours.”
“You don’t need to pick me up. I’ll just take—” I was about to say, “take my car,” but my car was currently being put back together by the man who stood in front of me.
Liam grinned. The tilt of his lips was more mischievous than anything, but the effect was no less devastating to my nerve endings. “Like I said, I’ll pick you up in a couple hours.”
Beautifully Broken Life (The Sutter Lake Series Book 2) Page 9