Thankfully, when he walked into the main room, Rachel was sitting on the couch talking with Clara. He walked over, wondering what he’d done to have her sweep into his life because she was a gift. Now he had to convince her that they were meant to be.
“Rachel, would you like to go on a walk with me?” Gunner asked.
Chapter Nine
Rachel stared at Gunner’s face, examining each inch for a hint of his intentions for the walk. All she found was his smile.
“Oh, go on. We can chat crochet patterns later,” Clara said.
“I’d like that,” Rachel replied.
She took his outstretched hand, letting him lead her out the door. She was glad she had a long-sleeved shirt with a flannel on under her jean overalls. The sunny January day was warm for this time of year, but there was still a little nip in the air.
“I thought we could get to know each other and also maybe bounce ideas about the shop—basically whatever you wanted,” Gunner said.
She glanced toward him, then turned to the scenery. Where to start? Was he going to ask questions?
“It’s been a whirlwind since you arrived. I know, at least from Scoop’s point of view, what you went through. I thought it might be good if you knew more about me,” he said.
He paused and almost seemed as if he was waiting for her agreement. She nodded because he seemed so hesitant, which wasn’t how she’d viewed him before today.
“I grew up with Brody and Flick. I was the prankster in school because Brody’s the oldest, and let’s just say—that stick has been lodged up his ass a long time.”
She couldn’t help giggling. Brody did seem to be wound a little tight.
“Mom was a single mom. I don’t really remember when Dad left. I always loved working in the kitchen with her—baking and cooking. I loved making recipes and seeing the joy on people’s faces when they enjoyed the food. I served in the military and then got out to pursue culinary arts.
“I jumped at the chance of running Broken Hearts Brewing when Beth brought it up as an idea when they were on an undercover assignment. It was as if she knew exactly what job I wanted. Beth and Flick got married in July, and Brody got out of the service after being injured. Beth had us both move in with them after their wedding. She wanted us to have a family again,” Gunner said.
“How was that?” Rachel asked.
Gunner grinned and shook his head. “Well, my sister-in-law definitely let us know if we were screwing up. I will never leave a toilet seat up again,” he said.
Rachel loved hearing about their family. She wanted her kids to experience a happy family where everyone loved each other.
“Anything you want to share?” he asked.
She thought about everything she’d been through. Besides the women last night, she hadn’t been asked to share. Gunner asking her gave her the nudge she needed to open up.
“So you know that my husband cleaned out the accounts, stole some stuff, and left a year ago. I have so many regrets,” she said.
“About losing him?” Gunner asked.
“Oh, heck no. Regrets that I didn’t get him served earlier. Now I’m in this kind of limbo. I don’t feel married because we are done. But it’s dragging out. I keep a happy face because I never want to be my negative mother, but there’s this big issue standing in the way of me moving on,” Rachel said.
“I don’t think talking about our feelings is negative. Sometimes we need to vent,” Gunner said.
“Oh, I agree. I don’t want my kids to in any way see that I’m sad and possibly come to the wrong conclusion that it was caused by them. Does that make sense?” she asked.
Gunner paused by a barbed-wire fence. A dirt track and large tree were on the other side of the pasture.
“It does. You want to protect your kids. That’s exactly what a good mom does. I’ve debated how to say this to you, but I wouldn’t feel comfortablenot telling you something. You may already know but if you don’t, I’d never forgive myself for not telling you,” Gunner said.
Rachel turned toward Gunner. His serious face told her all she needed to know. What he had to tell her was not going to be anything that made her happy, but he said she needed to know.
“Okay, I’m ready,” Rachel said. Whatever he said, she could deal with. She and the kids were safe here.
“When you hit your head and we had to call Stella and Flick, Marcus was upset. Once he calmed down, he said he had a secret. Marcus said that bad daddy had threatened him that if Marcus told you what he saw, bad daddy would kill you and Chelle,” Gunner’s words hit her.
