“Kieran’s a decent enough guy, and I liked working in his tattoo shop, but he always fiercely defended his brother whenever there was a client complaint against him or when stock would go missing. One time, two brand new tattoo guns disappeared before they were taken out of the boxes. Seamus blamed it on one of the new guys, who was instantly fired even though everyone knew he didn’t do it. I thought Kieran would always back Seamus to the hilt.”
“Not anymore,” I said, enjoying the insight I was getting into Caitlin’s experiences in Austin. “It seems he finally went too far. From what my contact in Austin said, Seamus opened several accounts in his brother’s name and used the tattoo shop as collateral on some loans. Your old boss found out when debt collectors showed up and shut him down.”
“Oh shit!”Caitlin clapped her hand over her mouth. “I never thought he’d do something like that to hisbrother. That’s horrible. Kieran was a jerk to me at the end, but I’d never wish that on anyone—not even my worst enemy.”
“I passed along the information about Seamus being in Tampa. I think it’s just a matter of time before you get your money back from the bank or Seamus.”
“God, that would be so great.” Suddenly, she hopped up and threw her arms around my neck. “I can’t thank you enough for helping me, especially when you were so busy with the rodeo. You took the time even when it made your life more difficult.” She kissed my cheek before going back to her chair.
“It was no big deal.” I was too surprised at the sudden burst of affection she showed me to react. We’d been so careful not to cross any lines. “I just placed a call or two. Austin PD is doing the work.”
“Shut up and accept my thanks,” she said, still smiling. “For once, Brian, don’t be modest.”
I picked up my coffee cup again and tried to right myself. She’d thrown me off kilter, and I was struggling to find the balance between us again.
“I think we should do something fun today,” she suggested. “The rodeo is over, and there’s a good chance I’ll get my money back. That’s two reasons to celebrate. We should go to the lake. Remember how we used to swim there? I haven’t been in so long.” She glanced out the window at the sunshine. “It’s a beautiful day. What do you think?”
“I was headed to work.” Technically, I didn’t have to go. I’d worked straight through for the weeks leading up to the rodeo,and there was nothing officially on my schedule today. Still, there were tasks to complete, paperwork to finish up, training to do. It never ended.
“Brian Thorne, you need to take a day off every once in a while.” She sighed, but managed a smile as she added, “I understand. You’ve got responsibilities. It’s okay.” Her expression said it wasn’t. She was disappointed, and I hated that.
“I told you that I wouldn’t have time to hang out with you just because you’re living here.” I’d established those ground rules the day she’d moved in. I’d been firm about that, while hiding the reluctance I’d felt.
“I get it. No pressure,” she said. “You’re a busy man. I didn’t mean to get all silly and needy on you.” She focused on her plate again, but I saw her cheeks turn pink.
“You weren’t,” I said, feeling like an ass. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to spend time with her. A day with her sounded like the best idea I’d heard in a long time. No one would fault me for taking time off, not after the hours I’d put in recently. I could trust Sofia to handle anything that happened, and I’d have my phone with me if they needed me to come in. “If you give me a few minutes to make some calls, I can take the day off. I’d like to go to the lake with you.”
“Are you sure?” Her brown eyes and the smile she gave me weren’t tinged with their usual sadness. When I nodded, the smile grew even brighter. “Let me go throw some things in a bag, and then I’m going to pack a picnic for us.” She jumped up and I heard her feet on the stairs and overhead.
As I cleared away the breakfast dishes, I began to imagine a life in which I had someone worth taking off time for. Someone whodidn’t see me as just the sheriff or as a member of the Thorne family. Caitlin seemed to want to be with me because she liked me for me. It was novel, and I couldn’t quite get used to it.
An hour later, we were on our way to the lake located about ten miles outside of town. I’d swung past it while on patrol often enough, but I hadn’t been there to swim or have fun since high school.And why not?I wondered, as I parked.When did I stop letting myself have fun?
I got out of my truck and checked my messages out of habit. No bars. I walked twenty feet along the road and checked again. Nothing. Another twenty feet. “There’s no reception out here,” I announced.
“Isn’t that wonderful?” she said. She had a picnic blanket folded over her arm.
“Not for me. What if there’s a problem and my deputies need to get ahold of me?”
“You can’t possibly be on call every minute of every day,” she said.
Technically, no—my other officers were supposed to handle anything that came up today. But from my perspective, being a sheriff meant that I wasalwayson call. Wasn’t that what I owed to my town? “I’m just never out of contact.”
“The rodeo is over. It’s a sleepy weekday. What could anyone possibly need from you? Besides, Sofia will handle it if something comes up. You said so yourself.” She walked closer to me, a smile on her face. “And we’re here to have fun and not worry. Can we do that? Please?”
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, forcing some of the tension to ease from my shoulders. When was the last time I let myself really relax? “Okay, you win. Pick a spot.” I gestured to the empty area along the lakeshore. Caitlin was right. Sofia was in charge and I trusted her, which meant that I could enjoy the afternoon without worry. Mostly.
“Let me see.” She studied the landscape. “I like a little shade, but not too much.” She walked back and forth for a few minutes before selecting a spot that would have increasing shade in the afternoon as the day grew hotter. “This should be perfect.” She spread the blanket on the ground and plopped down on it.
I placed the cooler she’d packed on the edge of the blanket and joined her. We lay in the sun, listening to the birds in the trees and watching them fly low across the lake hunting for fish. Caitlin was quiet for so long that I thought she’d fallen asleep before she spoke.
“When I was in college,” she said, her voice soft, “I could never imagine myself coming back to Poplar Springs, let alone being happy about it, even if the stay was just temporary.”
What was this? Was she saying that she washappyto be in the place I thought of as home? I sat up and looked at her, trying to read her mood.
“It’s funny how life turns out, isn’t it?” She shot me a grin. “Ah, heck, back then even the idea of coming back to town for your mother’s birthday party sent me into a panic. I felt like I’d only just escaped, and if I came back, I’d never be able to leave again.”
Huh?I blinked, trying to wrap my head around her meaning. I’d assumed… “I thought you wouldn’t come with me because youdidn’t want anyone to think you were in a serious relationship with me.”
