She’d laughed, but the sound came out hollow. “Really? You think finding a body wouldn’t mess me up?”
“Sorry. That was a poor choice of words and not what I meant. But really, is there something else?”
Brooke had hesitated, then told him about Tyler. About the history, the suspicions, and the way Adam had revealed everything in the parking lot. Nick wasn’t from Irma and didn’t know the story. He nodded when it was appropriate, asked a few clarifying questions, and waited until she was done to say more.
“Sounds complicated.”
“That’s one word for it.”
“What does your gut tell you?”
That was the question, wasn’t it? She hadn’t had an answer for Nick last night, and she didn’t have one for herself today.
Brooke moved to the sink and wiped down the stainless steel while she tried to organize her thoughts into something coherent.
She was attracted to Tyler. That much was undeniable. The way he’d handled the situation on the trail, his calm competence, the protective instinct that had kicked in without him making a big deal about it. She’d felt something building between them, brief but real.
Her brother believed in him. Phil had known Tyler personally, spent time with him and his family, and was certain Tyler was innocent. That had to mean something.
But so did her history with Kelsey. She had trusted the wrong person before. How could she be sure she wasn’t doing it again?
Then there was Adam Boverman. He’d been kind yesterday, protective in a way that felt safe and straightforward. No mysterious past, no questions about his character. Just a local deputy doing his job, making it clear he was interested in her.
That should be appealing. That should be exactly what she wanted after everything with Kelsey—someone uncomplicated, someone whose life was an open book.
But something about Adam’s interest felt off. Too eager, too calculated. Like he was positioning instead of genuinely connecting.
Plus, he had a reputation as a player. She couldn’t get into a relationship with someone like that. Brooke was no prude, but she also didn’t do short-term situations. And she most certainly avoided one-night stands, which is what Adam was known for.
Even worse, she couldn’t get Tyler out of her head. His pain was real, raw in a way that cut through all the suspicion and doubt. When Adam revealed his past, Tylerhadn’t defended himself or made excuses. He had just stood there and taken it, like he was used to being accused.
That acceptance bothered her. If he were truly innocent, wouldn’t he fight harder?
Unless he was simply too tired to fight, too worn down by years of suspicion to keep defending himself.
Brooke dried her hands and leaned against the counter.
She wasn’t going to pull away completely. Not yet. She’d give Tyler the benefit of the doubt, at least for now. She’d trust Phil’s instincts and admit that tragedy didn’t equal guilt.
But she’d keep her guard up. She needed to know more. She needed answers to the questions that kept circling in her mind. To get those answers, she needed to talk to Tyler and hear his side of the story directly, not filtered through Adam’s accusations or old news articles. She needed to look him in the eye and see what was really there.
Brooke made a decision. She’d finish cleaning the kitchen, make sure the high school girls were all set for their shifts, and drive over to the auto shop to give Tyler a chance to explain. If her gut still told her to be wary after that, fine. But she owed it to herself to at least listen.
The kitchen was almost finished now, the mess not nearly what it often was on a busy Monday. Brooke checked her watch. Another half hour until the next shift came in, and then she’d need twenty minutes to get them situated. She could get through that and stay busy enough to stop obsessing over Tyler Gillis.
She was wiping the counters when Becky stuck her head in the kitchen door.
“Hey, Brooke?”
“Yes?”
Becky’s expression was amused, her eyebrows waggling in that way that meant something interesting was happening. “Someone’s asking for you.”
Brooke’s heart jumped. “Who?”
“A cutie.” Becky grinned. “Tall, nice smile. Looks like he works out.”
Tyler? Had he come to talk to her before she could go to him?
