Beautifully Broken Pieces (Sutter Lake, #1)(9)

A shadow passed over Taylor’s eyes, and her expression became shuttered. It was a look that reminded me a lot of grief, something I recognized all too well. “That’s very kind of you, but I think I’ll be too busy getting settled. My stuff should arrive from Texas by then, and I’ll need to unpack.”

I moved us away from the topic that clearly caused her pain, even though I had the urge to dig deeper to find out why dinner was such a touchy subject for her. “Texas? I thought you guys were from LA.”

Liam appeared at Taylor’s side. “We are, but Taylor moved back to Texas a couple years ago to—”

“To be with my family,” Taylor interrupted, clearly not wanting Liam to finish whatever he’d been about to say.

Interesting. “So, you’re exploring your options for where you want to go next?”

Taylor’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “Something like that.” The girl did not like questions about herself.

I raised my hands in a gesture of apology. “Sorry. Curious nature. I’m a town cop.”

Carter joined us, slipping an arm around Taylor’s waist. “She’ll be here for a year, but we’re hoping she’ll move back to LA when that time is up. Although, it does make me feel better that there’s a police officer nearby.”

“My house is just over the ridge from where Taylor will be staying. And I’ll leave her my phone number in case she needs anything.”

Taylor scowled, but Carter beamed. “Oh, that would be great. Why don’t you come have a seat. We can eat some of whatever smells so good in this basket, and I’ll fix us some coffee.”

“That sounds great. I can never resist one of those muffins.”

Everyone migrated to the cluster of couches. I wrangled Noah onto one of the sofas, but his energy could not be contained, and he seemed to hover more than sit. Austin’s large frame took up much of the loveseat, while Liam seemed to sprawl on the largest couch, and Taylor sat in an armchair that was about as far removed from the group as possible.

Carter reemerged, carrying a tray laden with a coffee pot, mugs, plates, and napkins. Austin jumped to his feet, taking the serving platter from her hands and setting it on the coffee table. “Firecracker, you should have asked me to help you.”

Carter shook her head, a smile on her face. “I can carry a tray.”

Austin’s answer was to dip his head down and brush his lips against hers. They had an ease with each other, a love that reminded me of something I’d once had. A long-past phantom pain gripped my chest for a brief moment before I shook it off.

“Did you hear that Walker is a police officer?” Carter asked Austin, now curved into her husband’s side on the loveseat.

Austin’s gaze met mine. “Really? How long?”

“Almost eight years now.”

Austin grabbed a muffin from the basket. “That’s great. And you’re from here?”

“Born and raised. My family and another actually founded Sutter Lake.”

“It must be so special to have that kind of connection with a place,” Carter said, reaching forward to pour herself a cup of coffee.

“It’s pretty great. My whole family resides somewhere on our ranch property. It can be a little chaotic at times, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Noah bounced up and down on the couch cushion. “We have horses and chickens and cattle and goats. You guys could come see.”

Austin chuckled. “We might just have to do that. As long as you don’t make me get up on one of those horses.”

Noah’s face scrunched up. “You don’t like horses?”

“I like to look at them just fine, but I don’t think I’d be a big fan of riding one of them.”

Noah studied his idol. “You’re not scared, are you? You’re the Bulldog.”

The rest of the room fell into a chorus of laughs and chuckles, but I could pick Taylor’s out of the array. Light and airy. Delicate. Just like her.

Austin grinned at Noah. “Everyone’s scared of something.”

Noah nodded, considering the statement as his eyes traveled around the room. They stopped on Taylor. “What about you, Tay Tay?”

I tried to hide my laughter with a cough. Only Noah would give someone he’d met fifteen minutes prior a nickname and ask her such a deeply personal question.

She had a soft smile for Noah. “Well, I’m not much of a fan of getting up on horses either, but…” She tapped her lips with a finger as if really considering what her greatest fear might be. “What I’m really afraid of is moths.”

Noah dissolved into giggles. “Moths? Moths aren’t scary.”

Taylor grinned. “But they are! With their freaky wings, and when they fly in your face. Yuck!” She gave an exaggerated shiver. “Will you protect me from all the moths while I’m here, Noah?”

Noah puffed up his chest as if he’d just been asked to guard the President. “I’ll protect you from all the moths, Tay Tay.”

We polished off the muffins, and I told them all about my favorite Sutter Lake haunts, a hike they should take, and items on the secret menu at the bakery.

Austin’s face grew serious. “Are there any bad neighborhoods or people Taylor should avoid?”