Beautifully Broken Pieces (Sutter Lake, #1)(20)

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 totally 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.

I stood there, watching him. I couldn’t help it. It was as if I were frozen to the spot. Who was he visiting? Who had he lost? Both of his parents were alive, and he had a grandmother. Jensen had mentioned all three in the present tense while we worked. Maybe he was visiting his grandfather’s grave.

Walker pushed to his feet then bent over and did something that stole the breath from my lungs. He kissed the headstone. The gesture was tender and heartbreaking all at once. A sob clogged the back of my throat, and tears pricked at my eyes. I shouldn’t be here. I was trespassing on what was clearly a very private moment.

I turned on my heel to leave but only made it three steps before a voice called out to me. “Taylor?”