Beautifully Broken Pieces (Sutter Lake, #1)(64)

Taylor squeezed Noah’s shoulders. “That’s amazing. Does that mean it’s time for a library and bookstore visit for some new books?”

Noah bobbed his head up and down enthusiastically. My jaw fell open. Was this the same nephew who had dragged his feet, making up any excuse in the world to avoid reading?

Jensen elbowed me in the side. “Shut your mouth, you’ll catch flies.” I snapped my jaw shut, and she chuckled. “Taylor’s worked miracles with him, I swear. She has a gift.”

I studied Taylor in the throes of conversation with Noah. She was great with him. I wondered what it would take to get her to consider teaching at one of the local schools. As I turned that over in my mind, my mom appeared in the doorway. “Get in here, dinner’s almost ready, and I need my gossip time with Taylor.”

A soft smile, one I knew was reserved for my mom, appeared on Taylor’s face. I reached out and took her hand in mine, linking our fingers. “We’re coming.”

It only took about sixty seconds for Taylor to relax. As soon as Taylor saw she had my mother’s approval, we lapsed into easy conversation and laughter at Noah’s antics.

“So,” my gran began as we dug into the feast my mom had prepared. “When are you going to give me some more great-grandchildren? I’m not getting any younger here.”

Taylor turned red as a tomato, and I choked on my beer. Jensen started cackling with laughter. Noah just looked between Taylor and me, little-boy brows pulled together in confusion. My father cleared his throat. “Now, Mom.”

“Don’t you, now Mom me, Andrew. You know I have a gift for knowing when something’s right. When two souls are meant for each other. And these two are it for one another. What’s the point in pussyfooting around?”

“Irma!” my mom scolded.

“I speak the truth,” Gran huffed.

I thought I could see the panic rising in Taylor. Her fists were clenched around a napkin, her breathing shallow. Fuck. She was going to run on me. Then Taylor did something that shocked the shit out of me. She burst out laughing. Deep belly laughs that shook her whole body. Soon, the entire table joined in, even Noah, who had no idea what we were laughing about.

Taylor dried a tear from the corner of her eye. “You certainly don’t mince words, Miss Irma.”

“What would be the point? I only got so much time left.” Gran reached across the table to pat Taylor’s hand. “You’re good for my boy here. And he’s good for you. Just remember that when the time comes and things get hard or scary. It’s always worth the fight.”

Taylor sucked in a breath. I ran a comforting hand across her back and squeezed her shoulder. “All right, Gran, you’ve had your say. Can we get back to eating?”

“Yeah, hurry up and eat everyone,” Noah chimed in. “There’s chocolate cream pie for dessert, and that’s my favorite.”

Jensen rolled her eyes. “Every dessert is your favorite.”

Noah’s expression took on a pondering quality, then he nodded. “Yeah, that’s pretty much true. Everything but stuff with coconut. That’s just gross.”

Taylor let out a light laugh, and I was relieved to see her eyes bright and untroubled. “I don’t like coconut either.”

“That’s ‘cause you’re smart.”

The entire table broke into laughter. Taylor leaned into my side. This was Heaven, right here. My girl pressed up close. My family all around. Laughter tinging the air. Good food filling my belly. I hoped with everything I had that I could hold on tightly enough to make it last.





34





Taylor





I smoothed my hands over my black pencil skirt as I got out of Walker’s truck. I didn’t want to be here. Really, really did not want to be here. I wanted nothing to do with anything close to death or loss. And a funeral was right smack in the middle of that mess.

What I did want was to be there for Walker. And, let’s face it, I’d been pushing all sorts of limits and challenging the rules I’d placed on myself over the past couple of years. Walker squeezed my hand, tugging me to him. “Thanks for being here.”

Here was the funeral of his ex-girlfriend. I wasn’t sure it was appropriate for me to be here, but Walker had asked, and I couldn’t deny him. I brushed my lips against his in a kiss that was more about comfort than passion. “No problem.”

Walker squeezed my hand. “I know it’s a big deal for you. And I want you to know that I understand that.”

I pressed my lips together, unsure of what to say. I went with a nod, just ducking my head. Walker curved an arm around my shoulders and curled me into his side. I soaked up his warmth and strength as we prepared to face what lay ahead.

As we crossed the parking lot of the local church, a high-pitched voice shrieked from our left. “You did not bring her here.” A bottle-blonde toddled towards us on shoes with heels so pointy, they would surely be classified as deadly weapons. She was familiar. Recognition dawned. This was Caitlin’s bitchy friend from the bakery. Great. Just great.

“Bridgette,” Walker said in a low but firm tone. “This isn’t the time or the place.”

Bridgette huffed, tossing her blonde locks over her shoulder. “That’s for damn sure. You showing up is bad enough, but to bring your floozy with you? You might as well spit on Caitlin’s grave.”