I listened to the blades of the rocker as they made contact with the wood planks below. “She’s most likely leaving in a year. Her friends want her to move back to LA. It’s taken me weeks to get her to share even one thing with me. I’m not sure there’s enough time.”
Gran squeezed my hand. “No one knows what the future will hold, Walker. Just be her friend. Don’t let her push you away. Be there when the breakdown happens so you can help turn it into a breakthrough.”
Be her friend. I could do that. I just needed to dull this simmering attraction. As we were around each other longer, it would surely begin to fade. I just had to ignore it until then. “All right, Gran. I’ll do my best.”
“I know you will.” She smiled, her white teeth shining in the moonlight.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. Pulling it out, I grimaced at the screen.
Caitlin: I’m sorry I overreacted. Please answer my calls. We can work this out. We are so good together.
I typed out a reply.
Me: I don’t think there’s anything left to talk about. You’ll find the right guy. It just isn’t me.
I silenced my phone and shoved it back into my pocket. I couldn’t deal with Caitlin tonight on top of everything else.
Grandma eyed me curiously. “Everything okay?”
“Yup. Come on. I’ll drive you home.”
“I wish you’d just let me take the golf cart.”
“I’m a cop. I’d have to arrest you for driving without a license.”
“Who knew I’d raise a grandson that would turn out to be a narc.”
All I could do was chuckle.
16
Taylor
A horn sounded from my driveway, and I slid my lip gloss into my clutch. Ready to go. I grabbed my keys off the hook by the door and headed out.
Jensen let out a wolf whistle through her rolled-down window. “Girl, you look hot! Ready to meet some of the local talent?”
I grinned as I opened the SUV’s door and hopped inside. “You know it.”
Jensen executed a flawless three-point turn, saying, “I’m driving us there but leaving my car. Bryce said he’d drive us home.”
“Bryce, huh?” I knew there was love brewing there.
Jensen’s cheeks pinked. “We’re dating. God, it still feels weird to say that. It’s pretty new. I haven’t introduced him to Noah as a boyfriend or anything.”
“He’s definitely sweet on you.” Warmth filled my chest. I was happy that Jensen had someone who made her blush at the mention of his name. “This also means I get my pick of all the guys tonight. You really are the perfect wing-woman.”
She chuckled. “You’re so lucky to have me in your corner. And since I’ve lived here my whole life, I know everyone’s dirty little secrets. I’ll pick you out some winners.”
“You’re an angel sent to Earth just for me.”
“You know it. I may not be looking to hook up, but I am looking to have a couple cocktails. I even wrangled Walker into feeding my horses in the morning so I don’t have to get up early.”
“Your horses?” I’d seen various horses in the fields as I drove between my cabin and the ranch house but hadn’t thought much about them. They were pretty to look at, but as a vertically-challenged person, climbing on top of large creatures and galloping at top speeds didn’t really appeal to me.
Jensen’s eyes lit with a passion and love I’d rarely seen. “Haven’t I told you? I have rescue horses.”
“Rescue horses?”
“Yup. There is a herd of wild horses not far from here, but sometimes, horses need to be brought out of the wild for health or injury reasons. I take them in. I help rehab them if I can, and I’ve even trained a few to be ridden.”
“Wow. That’s amazing. How many do you have?”
“Right now, twenty. But I may be getting another in a few weeks.”
“Twenty horses? Who helps you take care of them?”
“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.”