“Well, get over it. She really likes him, I can tell.”
“I’ll do my best,” Tuck said, the words tight, his cheek muscle popping.
I slapped his shoulder. “Good. Now, let’s get out of here and grab a beer.”
Tuck hopped down from the tailgate. “You’re buying. You still owe me for not calling me when you knew you were going to meet Austin Lyons.”
The man had a point.
10
Taylor
The muted sounds of various conversations filtered through the air as I wiped down the counter at The Tea Kettle.
“You’re doing a great job. One more day with me here, and then I’m letting you loose on the public,” Jensen said as she refilled the bakery case with things that smelled like Heaven. Tessa really had a gift in the kitchen.
My first day had been a success so far. It had only taken me a few bumbling attempts to figure out the register, and I soon fell into a rhythm of busy bursts and lulls. Everyone who came in was super-friendly. Austin had been right. They all wanted to know my story, but I was able to maneuver the quick conversations with vague answers and half-truths.
My favorite customers so far were a group of four gentlemen in their seventies or eighties who were playing a spirited game of bridge at a corner table. Jensen said they came in every week. They were all shameless flirts, and I loved every second of it.
Turning back to Jensen, I tossed the rag under the counter. “Thanks. This is pretty fun. You’ve got some characters coming through, that’s for sure.”
Jensen let out a snort of laughter just as the bell over the door jingled. I looked up to see a handsome man with sandy brown hair and sparkling eyes enter. “Hey there, Jensen.”
Jensen’s cheeks heated. “Hey, Bryce. What are you doing here during the middle of the day?”
He grinned at her. I might as well have been invisible. “I thought I’d earned a little break. Wanted to come and see how your day was going.”
The red in Jensen’s cheeks deepened. There had to be a love story brewing here. “Things are going great. Bryce, this is Taylor. She just moved here from Texas and is the Kettle’s newest waitress.”
Bryce’s gaze finally came to mine, and a genuine smile tipped his lips. “Nice to meet you, Taylor. Welcome to town. You’re in good hands here with Jensen.”
“Thank you, I know I am.” I tilted my head towards Jensen. “I’m fine here if you want to take a little break.”
She rolled her lips together as if thinking it through. “All right. Bryce, you want a snack?”
“I wouldn’t say no to one of those ham and cheddar scones.”
Jensen nodded. “Coming right up.”
While Bryce and Jensen settled themselves at a back table, I straightened things that didn’t need straightening and tried not to look like I was snooping. I totally was. Those two had at least a high school-style crush going for each other.
I grinned at the floor. The sound of a chair scraping harshly against the wood had my head snapping up.
One of the older gentlemen who had been flirting with me earlier stood from his chair and threw his cards down on the table. “You’re a dirty cheat, Arthur, and you always were.”
I hustled around the counter as another man—Arthur I assumed—stood, as well. “I am not, Clint. Just because I’m better at cards than you doesn’t make me a cheat.”
I made it to the table just as it seemed the two might come to blows. “Now, fellas, what’s going on?”
Clint’s gaze jumped to me. “That-that no-good Art is a dirty cheat.”
“Am not!” Arthur huffed.
“Well, I’ve never played bridge, so I’m not sure I’d really be a good person to judge if someone was cheating.”
Both Clint and Arthur looked at me with shocked stares. “You’ve never played bridge?” Clint asked, all of his earlier anger suddenly gone from his voice.
I shrugged a shoulder. “Nope.”
Arthur shook his head. “Well, that’s just a travesty.”
Clint leaned in closer to me. “We could teach ya, you know.”
“You’d do that?”
Clint’s chest puffed up. “Of course.”
“I’d love it. I’m not working this time next week. Can I come to your game?”
“We’d love to have a pretty lady like you at our table,” Arthur offered.
“I’ll be there. But right now, I have to get back to work.” I breathed a sigh of relief as I headed back to the counter.
Jensen was back behind the register and wore a shit-eating grin. “You handled them better than I could have. Sometimes, they get so bad, I have no choice but to kick them out.”
I let out a little laugh. “They’re definitely passionate.”
“Understatement of the century. I’d say you’ve earned a break. Why don’t you take your fifteen.”
I glanced at my watch. “Sure. Do you mind if I head out back for some fresh air?”
“Of course, not.”
I waved to Tessa on my way through the kitchen to the back steps. I’d been careful since our first encounter not to make any sudden movements around her or come up from behind. “I’m just taking a quick break.”
She gave me a small smile. “Want some tea to take with you?”
“I’d love an iced lemongrass.”
Tessa made quick work of pouring me a glass. “Here you go.”
“You’re an angel sent from Heaven for overheated waitresses.”
She ducked her head. “No problem.”
I stepped out into the afternoon sun, the breeze lifting my hair off my neck, and took a sip of my tea nirvana. I slipped my cell out of my back pocket. I had to tell my mom about my date with two vicious bridge players next week. She would get such a kick out of that whole scene.
My thumb froze over the first contact in my favorites. My breath locked in my lungs. I couldn’t call my mom and tell her about Art and Clint and all the ridiculous shenanigans at my new job because she wouldn’t answer. I started breathing again, but it came in quick pants. She would never answer again. I’d never be able to tell her about something that made me laugh or cry or rage.
My hands started to feel all tingly, and I lost my hold on the glass of tea. It shattered on the asphalt at my feet, liquid splashing my jeans. My mom was dead.
“Taylor?” The soft voice seemed to come from far away. “Taylor, are you okay?”
Tessa appeared in my wobbly vision, but I couldn’t seem to form words. Why couldn’t I catch my breath?
“Taylor, I think you’re having a panic attack.” I could feel the gentle pressure of what I assumed was a hand on my back. “I want you to focus on that bench over there. Look at that bench, and you’re going to breathe in for three and out for three.”
My eyes zeroed in on the seat, but I couldn’t seem to get my lungs to obey.
“In for three, okay? One, two, three.” Tessa’s hand rubbed up and down my back. “That’s good. Now, out for three. One, two, three.”
Tessa kept counting, not stopping until my hands no longer shook, and I slowly came back to myself.
“Here, sit on the step for a minute.”
I gazed at Tessa. Her brow was creased with worry, but her eyes held understanding. “How did you know what was happening?”
Tessa sat down on the step next to me. “I heard the glass shatter and wanted to make sure you were all right. When I came out, you didn’t answer me, and you were hyperventilating. I put two and two together.” My cheeks flamed with embarrassment. Tessa let out a soft huff of air. “I get them sometimes. Panic attacks. So, I know the signs.”
I glanced over at her. I wondered what her story was, but I knew I couldn’t ask without inviting questions about my own. We sat there quietly for a minute, forming a silent pact not to ask each other the questions neither of us wanted to answer.
I gripped Tessa’s hand and squeezed. “Thank you.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“You did. You kept me from passing out in a pile of glass shards.” I winced. “I’ll pay for that by the way.”
Tessa waved a hand. “Jensen doesn’t care about stuff like that. Says it’s the price of doing business.”
My stomach churned at the thought of Jensen hearing about my incident. “Please don’t tell her what happened.”
Tessa’s head jerked. “I won’t if you don’t want me to, but don’t you want to go home and have a lie-down?”
A small smile tugged at my lips. “Would you?”
Tessa let out a little laugh. “Probably not.”
I drew in a steadying breath and rose. “Want to show me where the broom is? I need to clean up this mess.”
“Come on, I’ll help.”
We swept up the pieces of glass strewn across the pavement, and my hands only shook a little bit. My heart, though… My heart trembled in my chest for the rest of the day.
11
Walker
My phone buzzed on my desk for what felt like the twentieth time today.
Caitlin: Are you sure you don’t want to come over tonight?
It was like she could sense that I was thinking about ending things. She could feel it and was pulling out all the stops. I’d been the recipient of two-dozen homemade cookies and at least three different picture messages that made my eyes bug out of my head.
I typed out a reply.
Me: I told you, I have plans with my family tonight.
Not so much premeditated plans, more just me mooching a home-cooked meal off my mom. I was making excuses, I knew it. Normally, I would’ve told Caitlin that I’d meet up with her after dinner, but I needed some space. Space and a good night’s sleep if I was going to have the energy for the epic meltdown that was sure to happen when I ended things tomorrow.
Because I was ending things tomorrow. I couldn’t drag this out.
Caitlin: I could come over to your parents’ for dinner.
I cringed. This breakup was going to be bad. Caitlin was a lot of wonderful things: funny, caring, great in bed. But she didn’t always take not getting her way well.
Me: Sorry, just family tonight. But why don’t I come by after work tomorrow.
Caitlin: That would be great! I’ll wear that red number you like.
I dropped my head into my palm.
A knock sounded on my door. “Come in.”
Clark pushed open the door, stepped in, then closed it behind him.
“Hey, Chief. What’s up?”
Clark took a seat in one of the chairs opposite mine across the desk. “We’ve got another missing girl.”
My earlier worries seemed insignificant now. I straightened in my chair. “Another hiker?”
Clark rubbed a hand along his jaw. “No. This is a gal in her twenties from Willow Creek. Her boyfriend reported her missing when she didn’t come home from her shift at the diner in town. Her car was still in the lot. No signs of a struggle. Just vanished.”
“Is it possible she ran off? Another guy?”
“Don’t know. The chief down there didn’t know her well, but they have an even smaller department than we do, and way more citizens to cover. He just called to give us a heads-up and asked us to keep an eye out.”
“You got a picture?”
Clark reached into his pocket and fished out his phone. After tapping a few things on the screen, he handed it to me.
The photo had me sucking in a breath that felt like it was made of glass shards. The woman on the screen looked eerily like Julie. Straight, dark brown hair, deep brown eyes, and rounded cheeks. My heart spasmed. I swallowed against my dry-as-a-desert throat and looked up to meet Clark’s gaze. “I don’t have a lot going on here today. Why don’t I head down there and see what’s what. There might be something else we can do, but at the very least, I can get the full story.”
Clark studied me for a moment, surely weighing his options. “Sure, Walk. That sounds like a good idea.”
I shoved to my feet, my chair rolling back to softly collide with the wall. “You’ll be my first stop when I’m back.”
Clark jerked his chin in affirmation and headed out the door.
Ashlee startled behind the reception desk as I strode through. “Everything okay, Walker?”
I was sure I didn’t have the happiest of looks on my face. But I did my best to soften my expression. “Yeah. I’m heading out. Will you forward all calls to my cell?”
Ashlee’s eyes took on a look of concern, but she nodded. “Of course. Let me know if I can help with anything.”
“Thanks. Will do.” With that, I was gone.
I clenched my fists so hard, it was a wonder I didn’t dislocate a knuckle as I paced the floor in Clark’s office. I’d spent the past three hours doing recon that the Willow Creek Police Department was either stretched too thin or too lazy to do. I leaned towards lazy.
“The boyfriend is a total waste of space. A drunk. Word around town is that she supports him, and he thanks her with his fists.” Rage was coursing through my veins. This guy had a beautiful, kind woman who only wanted his love, and what did he do? Abused her trust and broke her body.
I didn’t know that for sure, but all the pieces led there. “That fucking joke of a PD down there hasn’t done shit. Too stupid or too lazy, sitting around with their thumbs up their asses.”
“Walker, take a breath.”
I scowled at Clark. I didn’t want to take a fucking breath. I wanted to plant my fist in that jackass of a boyfriend’s face. It was a miracle I hadn’t. I clenched and unclenched my fists, trying to slow my breathing.
Clark leaned back in his chair. “Did you fill the WCPD chief in on what you found out?”
I ground my back molars together. “Yes. Of course. But I’m not all that optimistic they’re going to do their fucking jobs.”
“I’ll make sure they do. I’ll get county or state involved if I have to, but I’ll make sure they follow through.”
I let out a slow breath. “I need to get out of here, clear my head. You mind if I take off an hour early? I’ll make it up tomorrow.”
“I know you’re good for it. Get out of here and come back tomorrow with your head on straight.”
“I will. Thank you.”
Clark nodded and I took off. Thankfully, Ashlee wasn’t sitting at her desk when I passed through reception. I wasn’t sure I could’ve made polite conversation this go-around. I jogged down the steps of the building and towards my truck. In less than a minute, I was pulling out of the lot.
I drove in circles for a while, aimlessly crisscrossing town streets, going out into the country and then coming back to town again. But I knew there was only one place I really wanted to go. Somewhere that would bring me peace. It had been the same when Julie was alive. She was always my port in the storm.
I pulled over next to the cemetery and shut off my truck. Climbing down, I let the fresh air soothe my frayed temper. I could only hear the rustling of the branches in the wind, my footsteps silenced by the cushion of lush grass.
I navigated the familiar path to her grave and touched the curved stone’s surface, worn rough by weather over the years. “Hey, Angel.” It was fitting that the nickname I’d bestowed on her was what she’d become. In my darkest days after her death, I’d convinced myself that I’d caused her demise by giving her the name. I didn’t think that anymore, but I was still more cautious with my monikers these days.
“It’s been a hell of a day. Just needed to unwind with my best girl for a bit.” I crouched in front of the headstone, letting my fingers trace the letters of her name. I always stuttered when I got to her last name. I had been so sure it would become Cole. There was never a doubt in my mind, but life threw you some nasty curveballs.
I sat down on the grass and, for the next hour, I filled Julie in on life. I told her that I was breaking up with Caitlin. “I wish these conversations weren’t so one-sided. I could really use some pointers on that one.” People would have probably thought it tota
lly weird if they heard me, but Julie and I had always told each other everything. I didn’t want to lose that, even if she were no longer here.
The first time I’d slept with someone after she’d passed, I came to the cemetery afterward and bawled like a fucking baby. From that moment on, I just kept spilling my guts to the silent headstone.
Today, I also filled Julie in on my grandma’s attempt to learn hatchet throwing, Noah’s encounter with his hero MMA fighter, and the new neighbor who kept popping up in my mind. I told her everything I could think of until I ran out things to say. But I felt better.
I pushed to my feet. Bending at the waist, I pressed my lips to the rough stone. “Thanks, Angel. Love you forever and always.”
12
Taylor
I opted for a walk to clear my head before I got behind the wheel to drive home. Thank goodness my SUV had arrived this morning. I don’t think I could have taken a ride home with Jensen. My nerves were too frayed.
I’d made it through the rest of my shift, but barely. It took almost an hour for my hands to stop their faint tremor. I’d dropped someone’s change on the floor when attempting to hand it to them. Tessa, sensing I was still a little unsteady on my feet, took to handing the customers their teas directly so there were no more broken-glass disasters.
I let the early evening air, still warm from the sun, ease my frayed nerves. I inhaled deeply, that sweet pine scent so prevalent here easing me even further. It wasn’t long before I reached the edge of the downtown area. The sidewalks shifted to grass, and the asphalt of the road turned to dirt and gravel.
A bird call caught my attention, and I looked toward the sound. My stomach dropped. A cemetery. Because what I needed after my afternoon was more reminders of the dead and the forgotten. I was about to turn around when my gaze caught on a figure.
He was sitting on the grass, legs sprawled out in front of him and his back resting against the headstone behind him while he faced another. He seemed to be talking to someone. But there was no one there. Walker. His just-shy-of-black hair gleamed in the sun. His tanned skin picked up the fiery hues of the waning day as the sun sank lower in the sky. He was beautiful.
Beautifully Broken Pieces Page 6