Walker crossed over to the workbench and grabbed his paintbrush. “You’re not the only with secrets.” Walker dipped the brush. “She’s working this afternoon if you’re wondering.”
“I thought I’d dive in and help with the painting.”
“We don’t need you here, my friend. Go and see Faith. Come clean before you leave this place for good. She deserves at least that.” Walker glanced over his shoulder. “You are leaving here eventually, right?”
Gus looked out at the lake, and though something inside him had shifted, he didn’t belong here. “Staying was never the plan.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
“So, like, I read online that you’re worth over one hundred million dollars.”
Faith closed her eyes and counted to five before turning to Cassidy. The woman had been a pain in the ass since she’d returned from San Francisco and had been outed by a reporter. The reporter was still lurking around, though she hadn’t seen him since the day before.
“Don’t believe everything you read.”
Cassidy made a face. “I’m just saying that if I was worth that much money, I wouldn’t be slugging beer in some hole in the ground town to a bunch of locals who only care about hockey, baseball and whether or not their favorite domestic is on tap.” She grabbed some menus from the bar. “And don’t get me started on the handsy tourists who think it’s funny to grab my butt when their wives are in the bathroom.” She eyed up Faith. “Why are you still working here? I mean, you must have cash squirreled away somewhere.” Her eyebrows rose dramatically. “Not that I’m saying you stole anything or—”
“Cassidy, drop those menus at six and head to the kitchen. Your order for table four has been up longer than it should be.”
The server opened her mouth but was effectively cut off with a withering look from Samantha.
“Thank you,” Faith mumbled. “She’s a lot sometimes.”
“Sometimes?” Samantha’s kind eyes were concerned. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m okay. I mean, this will blow over.”
The woman gave Faith a quick hug and whispered. “It will and you’ll be fine. You’ve found a home here.”
That stupid lump was back, making it hard to speak, but Faith managed a reply. “I’m finishing up with my last table.”
“I can take their bill over and cash them out if you want to leave early.”
Faith frowned and then turned to follow Samantha’s gaze. Gus stood near the entrance to the outdoor patio. Her heart reacted at first sight and pumped blood so damn fast she felt dizzy. One of the regulars, Bill Daily, had his attention, so Faith was able to take her fill and mouth dry; she did just that.
He was dressed casually in a white T-shirt and jeans, which meant he wasn’t working. His ball cap was turned backward, and he tapped his right leg while nodding his head at whatever the heck it was Bill was saying.
He looked tired and gorgeous and annoyed and . . .
Gus glanced up just then and spied her. He gave Bill a curt nod, moved past the man and didn’t stop until he stood in front of her.
“I just got back to town,” he said quietly.
Faith glanced away. “I see that.”
“Are you nearly done? I’d like to talk if that’s okay. That last night, I . . .”
“You already apologized.” At his look of confusion, she sighed. “The note you left under my door?”
“Right.” He frowned and shuffled his feet. “I’m not exactly good at that kind of thing.”
“Apologizing or writing notes?”
“Both I guess.”
“The note was succinct and to the point, so all good there.” She kept her tone light and hoped like hell she sounded that way because her insides were a whirling dervish of emotion.
“I’d like to talk. Explain some things if I can.”
