Beautifully Broken Pieces (Sutter Lake, #1)(36)

“I can handle Frank,” Tuck said through gritted teeth.

“He’s always pissing and moaning about not being able to hunt when and where he wants to.”

Tuck looked from the body to the bullet and back to me. “So, what do you think? He accidentally shoots the girl, and when he realizes it, he leaves her here to die?”

“People panic. Killing an animal is one thing. A person is a whole other ball of wax.”

Tuck ran a hand through his hair. “I guess you’re right.”

Carly broke in then. “I won’t know for sure if it was the bullet that killed her until I do an autopsy, but I don’t think it was animals. I need to get her back to the lab so I can do a full examination.”

“All right. Let us know as soon as you have more information,” I said.

“Will do.” Carly placed the bullet in an evidence bag and got to work putting what remained of the corpse in a body bag.

I pulled out my phone to check the time. “I’m going to head back into town to update the chief. Will you give me a call once you’ve made a go at Frank?”

“You got it,” Tuck said, his jaw still carrying some residual tightness.

I picked my way through the brush and moved back to the trail. I gave some instructions to Greg and then trekked back to my truck. I clenched and unclenched my fists as I walked. Someone had ripped this woman’s life away from her, from those who loved her. The pain they would feel when they learned what happened would seem insurmountable.

Longing filled my chest. A desire to share my day with someone who really understood loss. Someone whose simple presence was a balm. Taylor. I fought the urge. Unloading all the shit in my mind wouldn’t exactly be taking it slow. Instead, I opted for a cold beer and the solitude of my front porch.





20





Taylor





A knock sounded at my door, just after I’d thrown the rest of my ruined dinner in the trash. Learning to cook was not a task I was taking to well. I wiped my hand on a kitchen towel and yelled, “Coming,” in the direction of the door.

My socked feet shuffled against the hardwood. My heart did a little stutter at the thought that it might be Walker. I hadn’t heard from him since the day he’d sat with me by the pool and then was called out to deal with the dead body.

Almost a week had passed since then, and if I hadn’t seen Jensen at the Kettle, I wouldn’t know if Walker were dead or alive. I had his cell phone number and could have called him if I was really worried, but that just seemed too forward somehow, inviting an intimacy I wasn’t sure I was ready for. Especially after sobbing on his shoulder.

I took a deep breath and pulled open the door. Standing on my porch were Jensen and a hopping up and down Noah. “Tay Tay!” he exclaimed. “You’re coming to the movie with us!”

My brows pulled together as I looked at Jensen. “What?” We didn’t have any plans.

Jensen grinned. “Grab a sweatshirt, you’re coming with us to the Cole family outdoor movie night.” When I didn’t move, she continued. “We’re not taking no for an answer, so hurry your booty up.”

“Yeah, Tay Tay. Hurry your booty, this is so fun! We get popcorn and candy and watch the movie outside on blankets, and I get to stay up way past my bedtime.”

My face stretched into a smile. “I can see how that would be a blast, but I’m pretty tired.”

Jensen held up a hand. “Uh-uh. Sweatshirt, keys, on our way.”

I let out a laugh, helpless against Jensen’s determination. “Oh, all right. Give me a second.” A movie meant no talking, so it wasn’t like Walker could attempt another heart-to-heart. I grabbed a hoodie, bypassing the one Walker had given me a couple of weeks ago. I wasn’t quite ready to give that one back, and I didn’t want to study my reasons for that too closely.

I nabbed my keys and phone from the kitchen counter and headed for the door. “So, Noah, what are we watching tonight?”

“The Sandlot!” he cried, jumping down the last few stairs and nearly giving me a heart attack.

“An oldie but a goodie,” Jensen said, twirling her keys around her finger.

“I’ve never seen it,” I admitted.

“Really?”

“Nope.”

“You’re going to love it. It’s hilariously adorable. This is Noah’s first viewing, but he’s excited because it was his uncle Walker’s pick.”

My cheeks heated at just the mention of Walker’s name. Shit. I needed to get this under control. I cleared my throat. “Well, this all sounds like fun.”

Noah chattered the entire ride back to the ranch house, barely letting Jensen or I get a word in edgewise. When Jensen parked, Noah bounded out of the car and rushed towards the backyard where I had seen a glimpse of a large projection screen.

Jensen opened her door but then paused, her fingers drumming on the armrest. “Bryce and his sister, Ashlee, are coming, too. Noah knows them, but he doesn’t know that Bryce and I are dating. This is my way to feel it out to see if they get along.”

“Are you nervous?”

She bit her bottom lip. “A little.”

“I’m sure it’ll go great. But if it helps, I think you’re smart to take it slow.”