Beautifully Broken Pieces (Sutter Lake, #1)(28)

“Dad lets me mooch some of the ranch hands for the real labor-intensive work, but I do most of the daily stuff myself.” She drummed her fingers against the steering wheel to the beat of the country tune on the radio. “Well, with Tessa’s help.”

“She helps you take care of the horses?”

Jensen grinned. “She’s a wisp of a thing, but she’s a hard worker.”

“She’s really kind.” I flashed back to Tessa’s gentle comfort during my panic attack.

“The kindest.” Jensen’s face grew serious. “I don’t know her story, but someone hurt that girl. She came to Sutter Lake about a year ago and applied for a job at the Kettle. Barely said two words in the interview, but I couldn’t say no. She lives above the shop and helps me with the horses as her rent payment.”

My stomach pitched at the idea of someone hurting Tessa, but the pieces seemed to fit. “I’m glad you gave her a place to stay.”

“Me, too. She has a special way with the horses, especially one that was hurt real bad. They bonded when no one else could reach the mare. Tessa nursed her back to health.”

“That’s incredible.” What would it feel like to have that kind of connection with another creature?

Jensen swung her SUV into the saloon parking lot. It was already almost full, but she found a spot towards the back. “Let’s do this.”

We made our way through the swinging double doors. Music poured out into the night, and a frisson of excitement teased my belly.

Jensen grabbed my hand and led me through a packed crowd towards an equally busy bar. She waved at one of the bartenders, a stocky but handsome man, who gestured back and pointed to the end of the bar. “Hey, Little J, what’ll it be?”

Jensen’s face scrunched in distaste at the nickname. “When will you stop calling me that?”

The bartender chuckled. “Oh, about a quarter till never.”

Jensen shook her head. “Yeah, yeah. How about four tequila shots to start us off?”

Both my and the bartender’s eyes bulged. “Jensen—” I started.

“Not messing around tonight, huh, Little J? Your brother know you’re here?” the bartender asked.

Jensen’s hands went to her hips. “John. I am over twenty-one years of age, I do not need your or my brother’s permission to drink tequila.”

John’s lips pressed together in what seemed to be an attempt not to laugh. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll get on those shots right away.”

I tugged on Jensen’s arm. “I don’t know if shots are such a good idea for me. I don’t have the highest alcohol tolerance.”

She sent me a reassuring grin. “Don’t worry. We’ll just shoot these and then get water bottles to take on the dance floor with us.”

I caved to the peer pressure. “Oh, all right.”

John re-emerged with four shots, lime wedges, and salt. “Here you ladies go.” His eyes traveled down the length of my body. “I don’t think I’ve met you before. I’m John.”

I took his outstretched hand, shaking it. “Taylor.”

Jensen grabbed two shot glasses, handing me one. “Taylor just moved into the guest cabin a few weeks ago.”

“Well, it’s nice to meet you. I gotta get back to work, but maybe I can buy you a drink when my shift’s over?”

“We’ll see,” I teased. He grinned and headed for the opposite end of the bar.

“Come on,” Jensen said. “Down the hatch.”





“Down the hatch” were Jensen’s and my famous last words. The country tunes blared from the bar’s speakers as Jensen and I twirled around the dance floor in fits of hysterical giggles. This was a blast. Why didn’t I go out more?

On my last twirl, I ran smack into a wall of muscle. “Hey there, Short-stack,” a deep voice said as hands grasped my arms in an attempt to steady me.

I tipped my head back and found vibrant green eyes staring down at me. “Whoa. You’re pretty.”

His lips quirked. “Pretty, huh?”

I nodded. Jensen tugged my hand. “Let her go, Walker. We have more dancing to do.”

Walker chuckled. “I think you two are done for the night. Bryce is right behind me.”

Jensen perked up at that, and I spotted Bryce’s sandy brown head making his way towards Jensen. She launched herself at him and, luckily, he caught her. She then proceeded to plant a long, hot kiss on the man’s lips.

“Shit. I do not need to see that, guys,” Walker grumbled.

I giggled as Bryce slowly set Jensen down on her feet. “Sorry about that, Walk,” he said. Bryce’s eyes then turned to me, a warm smile in place. “Nice to see you again, Taylor.”

“You, too.” My body wavered, and Walker slipped an arm around my waist to keep me upright. Shit. Shots were such a bad idea. Walker’s arm felt warm and comforting around me. I burrowed into his side, suddenly feeling very sleepy.

“I’m going to take her home. Can you handle J?” Walker’s voice rumbled against the cheek I had pressed to his chest.

“Yeah. No problem, man. I’ll see you later,” Bryce’s voice came as if from far away.

“Drive safe,” Walker instructed.