Beautifully Broken Pieces (Sutter Lake, #1)(14)

Arthur’s chest puffed up as though I’d nominated him for knighthood. “I could get the boys together, and we could help you out.”

“Thank you. That’d be a big help.”

He patted me on the shoulder. “That’s what good communities do, help each other when the chips are down. Now, I’ll let you two youngins enjoy your supper.”

“Thank you, Arthur,” Caitlin said with a strained smile.

I took a long drink of my beer as Arthur walked away. What a day.

My careful gaze swept over Caitlin. She toyed with her fork, staring intently at it. “Why didn’t you tell me about the hiker?”

Shit. It wasn’t that I was trying to keep things from Cait, it was just that I didn’t want to dwell on it. I cleared my throat. “I just didn’t want to darken our night together.”

Her gaze moved to mine. “I want to be there for you. Support you when this kind of thing happens. But I feel like you never let me in.”

A muscle in my cheek ticked. Caitlin couldn’t pick and choose which of life’s hardships she wanted me to share. I’d tried to talk about Julie with her once, but she’d just gotten defensive, as if she were competing with a dead girl. I got it, I did, but she couldn’t have it both ways. “I’m sorry, Cait. I’ll try to share this kind of stuff with you more, but to be honest, sometimes I just want to leave it at the office.”

Caitlin reached across the table and squeezed my hand. “Thank you.” Her gentle smile turned sultry. “I just feel like we should be closer, spend more time together. Which reminds me, I’ve been wanting to talk to you about something.”

“Okay…” Conversations that began like that usually didn’t make me happy.

“I think we should move in together.”

I nearly spit out the sip of beer I’d just taken. Instead, it went down the wrong pipe, and I started coughing. “Cait. I thought we talked about taking things slow?”

Her eyes took on a pleading quality. “I know, but I just love it when you spend the night at my apartment, and you have that big ol’ house up at the ranch that’s practically sitting empty. Don’t you think it makes sense?”

I took a sip of my water, trying to buy time. How I answered this, had the potential to send Caitlin into hysterics. But, honesty was the only option. “I’m not ready for that. And, honestly, I’m nowhere near there. I might never be.”

Caitlin’s face fell, and her lower lip wobbled. “Is this because of Julie?”

My hand tightened around my water glass. “It’s because I’m not there. If you’re looking for someone who wants to settle down quick, that’s not me. I’m sorry.”

Caitlin’s eyes widened. “No! I want you. I don’t care how long it takes.”

A weight settled in my chest. I was a total schmuck, leading Cait down this path when I had no idea if it would end in me committing to her. I needed a drink stronger than beer.





8





Taylor





My body cut through the water, the liquid caressing my skin in a way that brought soothing comfort. Nothing gave me peace like the water. Looking at it. Listening to it. But, best of all, was immersing myself in it.

Sometimes, my laps were angry. Vicious strokes of rage, taken out on the calm surface. Other times, like now, they were peaceful, my body barely creating a splash or waves as my limbs propelled me forward. Either way, the water welcomed me. Soothed my soul, put me back together to fight another day.

My fingertips touched tile, and I stood, reaching for my water bottle. “It looked like you were running low,” a familiar voice said in a deep and husky tone that sent a shiver down my spine.

I pulled my goggles off to see Walker extending a water bottle to me. He was casually dressed, wearing dark jeans that hugged his hips and a worn tee that did nothing to disguise the muscles underneath. I swallowed hard, taking the bottle from his outstretched hand. “Thanks. I’m done if you want to use the pool.”

Walker took a seat on the edge of one of the lounge chairs on the pool deck. “Lap swimming isn’t my preferred method of workout.”

I shrugged, peeling back my swim cap and quickly dunking my head under the water to smooth out my hair. Placing my palms on the lip of the pool, I propelled myself up and out. Water sluiced down my body as I wrung out my hair. When I looked up, Walker’s eyes were traveling up and down the length of me. My skin suddenly turned hot despite the cool night air.

I held out a hand. “Do you mind?”

“Oh, sorry.” Walker stood, shaking his head and grabbing the towel he had been partially sitting on. He extended it towards me, but when I went to take it, he held firm. “Where’s your car?”

I blinked. “My car?”

“Yes, you know, the four-wheeled vehicle that gets you from point A to point B.”

“I know what a car is, smartass.”

“Well then, where is yours? I didn’t see one at the main house.”

I gave a firm tug on the towel, and Walker finally released his hold. I quickly wrapped the terrycloth around my body, wanting protection from the stare that seemed to light my blood on fire. “It’s not here yet. It should arrive tomorrow.”