My fingertips played with the ends of her hair as I used the last of the patience I could muster while she settled in. After about twenty minutes, I finally broke the silence.
“What really happened on the trail?”
I could feel the vibration of her laugh and the lift of her cheek against my chest as she smiled. “You didn’t even last a minute.”
“Felt like twenty.”
She sighed. “Shayla.”
I tensed and squeezed her against me more tightly. My eyes scanned the area, expecting her to jump from the bushes and launch herself at Delilah.
“What did she do?”
“The boys were up ahead of me and I was walking slowly, enjoying the crisp morning, when I heard the bushes moving. I seriously love deer. They’re so stinking cute. It doesn’t matter that I see them often, it’s still like the first time, every time.”
I laughed. “So if you had a farm you’d fill it with deer instead of cows?”
“Oh, no, I’d definitely have cows too. They’re so cute!”
I chuckled and kissed the top of her head. “So you were looking for Bambi.”
“I was looking for Bambi, and Shayla popped out of the bushes. I guess she’d been following us along the trail, but in the tree line. I don’t know how long she’d been there, but she came out. She was high,” she ended on a whisper.
I closed my eyes and released a breath. I’d met a lot of guys, who played the game, who were going through addiction. It’s a fickle beast that doesn’t care who you are, how much money you have, or where you come from. I’d seen my share of guys get clean and then fall back off the wagon. It’s not easy seeing someone you care for going through that.
“She looked terrible, Gunner. I couldn’t see the girl I once loved at all. We argued about Tucker. I told her she’d never see him if she couldn’t get sober. I don’t think she meant to hurt me. At least…not as much as she did. She did slap me.”
“She hit you?” I was no longer whispering. Anger boiled my blood.
“Yes, and then we argued more and she pushed me. Just enough to make me fall. I guess it was an unlucky coincidence that I hit the rock when I landed.”
“Fuck,” I said. “You really scared me today. I couldn’t breathe when Tuck answered your phone and he was crying. I knew I had to hold it together for him though.”
“Thank you for taking care of my boy.”
“Anytime. I’ll take care of you too.”
She lifted her hand from my stomach and pinched the bridge of her nose. “I don’t want to burden you with this,” she said so quietly.
I put my finger underneath her chin and tilted her face toward mine so she could see my eyes. I needed her to see I meant every word of what I was about to say. “Let me have your burdens. I’ll carry them with you. You don’t have to do this alone. I’ve got really big shoulders, and I’m good at carrying shit. Let me. I’ll carry it with you.”
Her eyes watered and she closed the distance between us, sealing our lips together. I cupped the side of her face and anchored her against my lips. She sent my adrenaline soaring higher than a grand slam on any field.
Chapter 24
Delilah
I wrapped my hair into a topknot. I’d woken to a text message from my sous chef that her kiddo was sick and she wouldn’t be able to make it in. It would be an extra busy morning without her, but I didn’t mind. I could use the distraction from Shayla.
I’d tossed and turned last night thinking about our childhood. My mind had drifted from memory to memory—from Easy-Bake Ovens, to nail polish and first-kiss gossip, to our first broken hearts—and I’d woken in a cold sweat as the nightmares began. The first time I saw her high. The first time I had to drag her limp body out from underneath a boy way too old for her. The first time I stayed up all night because she was throwing up but unconscious. Those memories ravaged me.
And guilt and what-ifs consumed me. If I’d backed out of our promises and told my parents sooner than I had, would it have changed anything? If her parents had left ten minutes later or earlier, would they still be alive? Would she be the one I’d want to call to gush about Gunner?
Those memories tore me apart and slashed at my heart. So that morning, I definitely didn’t mind the extra work. Cooking food for others was the best distraction.
I slowed my steps when I entered the dining room. The soft tones of Frank Sinatra drifted through the kitchen door. I stopped and placed a hand over my heart and bit my lip to stop the schoolgirl smile from spreading over my face.
Most kids hate to see their parents kiss and be romantic, but me? I could never get enough. I knew that they were in there dancing to their wedding song and looking at each other like it was the first day they met.
I crept closer to the door and pushed it open as quietly as possible, and there they were, silently gliding around the kitchen completely lost in each other. It’s the type of love I’d dreamed about my entire life, and I wouldn’t settle for anything less.
My dad quietly sang to my mom, and his fingers skimmed up and down her spine. Her hand clutched him so tightly. I leaned against the doorjamb, watching and dreaming. I felt something different with Gunner, and I wondered if he could be this for me.
Would he dance with me around a quiet kitchen? Would he be there every time I needed a hand? Would he surprise me with my favorite chocolate just to see me smile?
I didn’t know, but I knew I wanted to dance with him around my kitchen and feed him food I’d made. I wanted to know all his favorite flavors so I could make each one.
Dad twirled Mom and swung her around until her back was pressed to his front, and they swayed together. His chin fell to her shoulder, and he crooned the last notes of the love song in her ear.
I slowly clapped as the song faded away. Dad planted a kiss on Mom’s cheek before he turned my way, and when she spun and faced me, her cheeks were warm. Over thirty years together, and my father could still make my mother blush.
I’d never settle for less than that. I hoped Tucker was still young enough that he could watch me with someone and he’d know how to treat and love his future partner because of it.
“Morning, sweetheart.” Dad kissed my cheek. “Just enjoying a few minutes with my girl, but I’m headed off. We have a lot of guests arriving today.”
“Morning, Dad.” I wrapped my arms around his middle, hugging him tight. “I’ll see you later?”
“Sure will. Colt is stopping by this morning, and I suspect we’ll finally be getting some answers out of you.”
With that, he walked through the swinging door and left. I’d known it was coming. I wasn’t sure how my parents had convinced my brother not to chase me home last night, and I wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d been on my doorstep at 5:00 a.m. Colt wouldn’t settle until he knew I was safe. Gunner reminded me of him in that respect. When it came to protecting those he loved, Gunner Gentry was an unstoppable force.
“What are you doing here so early, Mom? It’s your day to sleep in.”
“Megan messaged me this morning and let me know that she wouldn’t be in. She’s so sweet to make sure I knew, because if she hadn’t, you’d be prepping all alone.”