by Erica Penrod
“Hi.” She stood up and walked towards him. Her smile was like a shot of sunshine to his soul. This amazing woman was there to see him. “I hope you don’t mind me stopping by.”
“Perfect timing.” He grinned as he took the hat from his head and brushed the hair back from his forehead. “Just taking my lunch break now.”
Tayla raised the sack in her hand. “I brought something to share.”
“Sounds good. Let me put my tools in my truck, and I’ll grab my lunch box.” He took her hand, and she smiled. “We can share that too.” Her unexpected visit and the way her hand felt so natural in his kept a grin plastered to his face. “I’m glad you stopped by.” Saturday had been the best afternoon he’d had in a long time, and Saturday night might have been his best one yet. His happiness had rolled into Sunday when they’d talked for over an hour on the phone, something Waylon had never done before.
“Me too.” She pushed the glasses back onto her head, and her blue eyes beamed.
“How’s your day going?” Waylon glanced in both directions before he led them across the street to where his truck was parked.
“Good.” She kept up with his stride. “I met with Gordon this morning, and we went over how things are going at Prevail and what areas we could improve on.”
Waylon nodded as he let go of her hand, pulled the keys from his pocket, and opened the door. “I like Gordon. I don’t know him well, but the little interaction I’ve had with him has been positive.”
“I’m glad.” Tayla clasped the brown bag with both hands. “He worked for me at the Idaho location and was good enough to follow me to Seattle. He’s one of the good guys.”
Waylon reached for his ball cap and lunch box. “I can tell.” He closed the door. The fat sun pushed the clouds aside, stealing the show in the Seattle sky. “How about the tailgate?”
Tayla nodded and followed him as he went over and let down the gate.
“Hold on a second.” He put his lunch box down and jogged back to the cab, where he grabbed the old blanket he stowed beneath the seat for emergencies. He set the blanket out. Waylon placed his hands on Tayla’s waist and helped her to her seat. She put her hands on his shoulders, and their eyes met. Forget lunch, he was ready for dessert.
“Thank you.” She let go and patted the seat beside her. “Got a spot right here for you.” Her eager eyes were wide and bright.
He chuckled, knowing he’d have to eat his vegetables first before indulging in anything sweet.
“Okay, so I took Misty’s advice and stopped by this little sandwich place—” Tayla opened her bag. “—and since I didn’t know what you’d like, I got my two favorites.”
“I’m not picky.” There’d been times in his life when he’d spent all his money on pills instead of food. Going hungry tends to expand one’s palate.
She pulled out two sandwiches wrapped in wax paper. “This is tuna with pickles, and this one is turkey and avocado.”
Waylon laughed as he opened his box and quickly doused his hands with some sanitizer. “Guess what this is?” He took the sandwich wrapped in a baggie. “Tuna with pickles.”
“Wow.” She leaned into him. “I guess we have a lot more in common than we think.”
“I guess so, but your sandwich looks better than mine.” He glanced at the thin white bread of his sandwich. Cheap bread.
Tayla nodded. “I don’t mean to dis your sandwich, but Misty said the bread was incredible, so maybe you’d better try this one.” She unwrapped the edge of the paper and offered him the tuna on thick sliced wheat bread.
His mouth watered, although he was sure his salivating taste buds had nothing to do with the sandwich. “I think I will.” Waylon set his puny rendition back in the box and gratefully accepted her gourmet version. “I’ll just eat mine at break later today.”
She unwrapped her turkey and avocado, which looked equally delicious. “I hope this tastes half as good as it smells.” Tayla took a bite and rolled her eyes, nodding her head.
“That good, huh?” Waylon saw the simple farm girl sitting on a tailgate, enjoying a turkey sandwich.
Tayla swallowed. “Aren’t you going to eat?”
“Oh, yeah.” He’d forgotten all about his lunch and took a bite. The whole wheat bread brought back a memory of his mother. He’d been in grade school when he’d asked her why all the other kids got to have their sandwiches on white store-bought bread and he had to have homemade wheat. She’d continued to knead the dough and told him that when he grew up and bought his own bread, he could buy all the white bread he wanted. In that moment, he vowed to spend a little extra on some good whole wheat bread. Waylon reached in his box, handed Tayla one of his bottles of water, and took the other for himself.
“Thank you.” She twisted off the cap and took a gulp.
“You’re welcome.” He swigged down the water. “Tell Misty she was right. This is so good.” Waylon bit into the sandwich.
They sat and ate, content with the meal and the quiet. He liked the way her legs dangled from the truck and how she kicked her feet back and forth in a steady rhythm. He was careful not to get too close, not wanting to get anything on her clothes. The separation was killing him. What he wouldn’t give for a quick shower, a toothbrush, and a chance to show Tayla his gratitude for her visit with a kiss.
“Do you like to fish?” Waylon wanted to ask Tayla out on a proper date, but while he was still trying to get his life and finances in order, he doubted he could afford anywhere she was accustomed to. He might’ve been short on cash, but he could be creative.
“Yes.” She crumpled up the wax paper and put it in the bag. “We had a little stream on our farm growing up, and I used to spend hours out there with my pole.” Tayla took another sip of water. “But I haven’t been for a long time.”
“There’s a place called Pine Lake a couple of the guys here at work have talked about.” Waylon got down from the truck. “There’s supposed to be some nice rainbow trout.”
“Yeah, I was hoping to see some of the area while I’m here.”
“While you’re here?” The sandwich in his gut churned as he hopped down from the truck.
“Yes.” Tayla didn’t seem to notice the alarm in his voice. “I’ll spend a few months here and then head back to Idaho to check on things, and after that, go to Texas.”
“Oh.” He cleared his throat. “Yeah, of course.” The thought of her leaving shouldn’t shake the ground beneath his feet or take the air from his lungs, not when he’d known her for only a week, yet he lost his balance and he couldn’t catch his breath.
“So, when do you want to go?” Tayla slid down and dusted off her pants.
“Go?” Waylon didn’t want her to go.
“Fishing.” Tayla moved in closer and reached for his hand.
“Oh, yeah.” Waylon calmed at her touch. “What about tomorrow after work?” He ignored the sirens in his head. If she left and took the peace he’d discovered in her, what would that do to his recovery? Not to mention his heart.
Twelve
Pine Lake was about twenty miles southeast of Seattle, and after they stopped for a fishing license for Tayla, they arrived around six. Waylon pulled into the Pine Lake Park parking lot and scouted around for an empty spot in the crowded space. “I didn’t expect this many people on a weeknight.” Waylon circled again and waited with his signal on for a minivan to back out.
“Looks like there’s a couple soccer games on the fields over there.” Tayla pointed as Charlie climbed up and pressed his nose to the window.
Ball fields and a playground were adjacent to the lake. “I see. I wondered what was going on.”
As soon as they were out of the truck, Charlie tugged on the end of his leash, ready for the field trip to begin. Waylon collected the poles and the tackle box from the back of his truck and jerked his head toward a sign pointing toward the dock.
They made their way along the fenced trail cutting through a thicket of trees until they reached the shorelin
e. “Wow.” Tayla stopped with Charlie. She picked up the pup. “This is so beautiful.”
Waylon surveyed the area, taking in the sandy shores, the wooden docks, and the sprinkling of boats and canoes on the water, and then his gaze settled on Tayla. The fading daylight gave off a soft amber glow, illuminating her skin. The effect was mesmerizing. He dropped a pole, and the crash startled all three of them. “Sorry about that.” He quickly retrieved the pole. “We’ll fish from the shore.” He gestured with his chin. “Let’s head over there, and I’ll run back and grab the camp chairs in the back of my truck.”
Tayla scratched the pup’s ears. “Okay.” Tayla set Charlie down, and he propelled himself to the end of his leash, yanking on the tether for her to follow. “He wants to run.”
They walked several yards, and Waylon placed the fishing gear on the ground. “I’ll be right back.” He touched Tayla’s arm and smiled.
“Okay, we’ll be right here waiting for you.” Tayla smiled softly.
Waylon liked the sound of that. He turned around and jogged back to the truck. Inside the cab, he grabbed the emergency blanket, just in case Tayla got cold, although he’d offer to wrap his arms around her and hold her tight before he’d mention the quilt. With the quilt tucked beneath one arm, he removed the chairs from the back and slung the straps over his shoulder. With his mind still on Tayla, Waylon couldn’t worry about the future and Tayla leaving; he had to enjoy now. Recovery had been one day at a time, and that was what he would continue to do, only now he’d had a woman waiting for him. Oh, what a glorious thought.
His peace was interrupted by Tayla’s scream.
Thirteen
Tayla turned her back for only a second. She’d taken the leash off Charlie to let him run, and when he headed to the dock, she was right behind him. He sniffed the wooden boards and looked over the side a few times, jumping back when he saw the water. “I guess you’re not a swimmer.” She laughed at her skittish pup. She looked towards the sun slowly descending in the western sky and heard the splash.
“Charlie!” Tayla ran to the side to see the pup frantically paddling in the water, his tiny head barely visible. “Come here, Charlie.” She lay down on her belly and tried to reach him. “Come on, Charlie, you can do it. Come here, boy.”
Her arms weren’t long enough, and as his little body tired, his head couldn’t clear the surface. Oh no … no … no. Tayla swung her legs around and slipped into the water.
Two strokes’ length and she had Charlie in her arms; then she felt the cold. Her body seized up, but she continued to kick and pushed through the water. “It’s okay, boy, I’ve got you.”
Tayla didn’t know how to get up on the dock, unsure if her upper body strength was enough to hoist herself up. There had to be a ladder at the other end of the dock, but swimming was never her thing, especially with one arm in frigid temperatures. Panic threatened to spread through her body. She looked up and saw Waylon stretching out his arm for her.
“Take Charlie.” She thrust the pup towards Waylon. He grabbed him, cradled him against his chest with one arm, and reached for Tayla with the other. He lifted her until she was able to climb up on her own. “Th-th-thank you.” Her teeth chattered.
“Are you okay?” He pulled Tayla close, kissing the top of her damp hair. “I heard you scream, and it scared me to death.”
“Y-you and me both.” She touched Charlie’s tiny, soaked body. Without all his hair, he looked so small and fragile. “I’m okay.” Tayla continued to check out the dog. “Do you think he’s going to be okay?” Her eyes searched Waylon’s, pleading for reassurance.
“I’m sure he’ll be fine. We just need to warm the both of you up.”
Tayla crossed her arms as water dripped from every appendage. Waylon kept an arm around her and led them back to the truck. “What about the fishing poles and the box?” Tayla asked as Waylon wrapped her in the blanket he’d dropped when he’d heard her scream.
“Let me get you in the truck with the heater going, and then I’ll go back for them.” Waylon helped her and Charlie in the truck and closed the door. He hustled to the driver’s side, hopped in, started the ignition, and cranked up the heat. “Be right back.”
Tayla smiled. “I’ll be right here waiting for you.” She went back to drying off Charlie with the ends of the blanket when Waylon closed the door. “You scared me,” She lifted the damp pup and pressed his face to hers. His breathing sounded normal and his body didn’t appear injured, but he wasn’t squirming around and trying to look out the window. Tayla hoped he’d just had a fright and was wet, cold, and tired. She placed Charlie back on her lap and continued to massage the dog, hoping to help circulate the blood and bring up his body temperature.
She glanced over and saw Waylon coming up the trail. Tayla hadn’t needed anyone like she needed Waylon today, except for her dad so many years ago. The proverbial feeling frightened her. Even though her father wasn’t always capable, the times he was there to lean on buoyed her through the times when he wasn’t, but then he was gone. Waylon could disappear just like Charlie almost had today, and she’d be left alone with more holes in her heart than a target.
The truck door opened, and Waylon got in. “Alright, let’s get you home.”
Tayla nodded. “Yes, please.”
He reached out and waved his hand in front of the air vent. “It’s starting to warm up. Once we get driving, it will heat up nicely.”
“I’m okay, but I’m so sorry about getting your truck all wet.”
“No worries.” He put on his seat belt and shifted the truck in reverse. “That’s the beauty of having an old vehicle: you don’t have to concern yourself over anything like that.”
He looked over his shoulder and backed up. Tayla buckled up and pointlessly wondered if she ought to do the same with her heart, knowing the time had long passed for that.
* * *
Waylon hadn’t just fallen off the turnip truck, but in a house where he needed a map to find his way out, it was difficult not to feel that way. Even at Jamon’s, he felt strange hanging out at a mansion for the day and sleeping in his one-bedroom apartment at night. Not that Jamon didn’t welcome him, and he was sure that after the wedding when Gemma moved in, the gigantic house would feel more like a home, but in his mind, home was where he’d grown up. The three-bedroom farmhouse with his family gathered around the kitchen table was the last place he’d truly felt at home. After his parents died, the house just wasn’t the same, and Waylon was sure his soul had drifted ever since.
Tayla tossed him a towel. “Are you sure you’re okay with Charlie while I grab a quick shower?”
“I’m fine.” He sat down on the couch in the great room, wrapped Charlie up in the towel, and placed him on his lap. “Take as long as you need.” He smiled at her. Makeup ran down her cheeks, and she still managed to look beautiful. “Just show me where the remote is.” He stretched out his neck and gawked around the room for the device.
“Television on, please.” She shrugged her shoulders and the corners of her mouth turned up. “The TV is voice commanded. You can adjust the volume and change the channel.”
“Okay.” Waylon should’ve known there wasn’t a remote. Jamon’s house was the same way. Who knew a remote control was another sign of a working-class man? “Charlie and I will manage until you get back.”
“I’ll hurry.”
“Change the channel to RFDTV,” Waylon called out, hoping he’d used the magic words, and when a professional rodeo appeared on the screen, he knew his spell had worked. “Alright, Charlie, now we’re in for a good time.” He leaned back and let his head rest on the couch. The dog wasn’t as interested in the team roping as Waylon was, and a moment later, he was snoring away.
The steer wrestling wrapped up before Tayla came back into the room. She was in a pale blue jogging suit, and her hair was combed back away from her face. Her eyes sparkled. “I feel so much better.”
“I bet you do.” Waylon noticed the creamy co
lor of her skin and the flush to her cheeks, and he longed to be closer to her.
Tayla went to the couch and cozied up beside Waylon. A vanilla fragrance filled his head as he took her hand. “Are you hungry?” She leaned onto his shoulder. “After my cold-water swim, I’m starving.”
“Yes.” Hunger had fled his thoughts as Tayla curled up next to him. Food was the last thing on his mind with an attractive woman by his side. “What did you have in mind?”
“Hmmm.” She screwed up her face. “How about we order takeout?”
“Okay.” He chuckled.
“What’s so funny?”
“Just the thought of a delivery driver in The Cove, pulling up to a mansion with a few boxes of takeout.”
She sat up slightly, her body no longer resting against his. “Yeah, I guess so,” she said, but the tremor of her voice said otherwise.
“What’s wrong?”
Tayla shrugged her shoulders. “Nothing.” She played with the hem of her sweatshirt. “It’s my own insecurity.”
Waylon turned his head and took in the confident woman before him. “You don’t seem insecure to me, Ms. CEO.”
The corners of her mouth turned up and her shoulders dropped. “Thank you, and maybe insecure isn’t the right word.” She exhaled. “I hope you see me as a person.”
He drew his brows together. “Of course I do.”
“I mean, not just a wealthy person.”
“You think I like you because of your money?” Waylon searched his memory, wondering when he’d given her that impression.
“Well, no, but sometimes I think people forget that I’m just a person who likes takeout from a box, an old pair of jeans, and—now and then—a good bargain hunt.”
Waylon nodded. “You want to be seen for who you are and not just for the amount of money in your bank account.”