AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A minute later, the woman and her dog reappeared with a bottle of tequila and a bag of chocolate chips.
“A long time ago, before, well, everything,” Lena said with a soft smile, “my girlfriends and I would get together for tequila whenever one of us needed relationship advice.”
Katie cocked her head, studying the bottle. “Did it work?”
“Sometimes.” Lena held out her hand for Katie’s lemonade glass. “May I?”
Katie handed it over and watched as Lena poured the lemonade into the grass. Dog at her side, she filled the glass with two, maybe three shots. Then she set the bottle on the ground and reclaimed her chair.
“You’re not having any?” Katie asked.
“No.” Lena shook her head. “The chocolate chips are for me. I’m not much of a drinker anymore.”
Katie took a long, deep sip, feeling the burn in her throat. “I like your friends,” she said as the liquor spread through her. “Where are they now?”
“They’re with my ex. In Portland. He got them in the divorce too.”
“Some friends,” Katie muttered, taking another sip.
“I think it was easier to understand his side of things.” Lena reached for Hero, petting his coat. “He spent six months trying to make it work with a woman who didn’t want to be touched. And until I got Hero, I never left the house. It made for a difficult marriage. And hurt a lot of friendships.”
“I’m sorry.”
Lena shrugged, opening the bag of chips. “I’m moving on.”
“Maybe that’s what I need to do,” Katie said. “Move on. From Independence Falls. From Liam. I should probably call the owner of the Montana Safe Haven right now and accept the job.”
“Is that what you want?”
“I . . . I’m not sure.” Katie turned, looking out at the lake. “But I think I need to do it. Leave. Just when I was starting to trust him, Liam goes and pulls a stunt like today in his office.”
“I don’t think it is your ability to trust Liam that is the problem.” Lena poured chocolate chips into her hand. “I think you don’t trust yourself to stay true to your goals when you’re with him.”
Katie raised the tequila to her lips, tilted her head back, and drank—every last drop. The liquor scorched her throat, but she didn’t care. “You’re right. But I’ve been burned before.”
“I can’t help you there,” Lena said. “The only male I allow to get close to me has four legs and, right now, some very bad doggie breath.”
Katie laughed as Hero looked up at his owner. “I think you might be on to something. At least he’s devoted to you.”
“True,” Lena said, popping a few chocolate chips into her mouth. “But after what you’ve told me, I think Liam’s devoted to you. I think it is up to you to determine what you want. And if your dreams include Liam, go after him.”
“He’s betrayed me twice,” Katie said softly.
“Betrayed? That’s a strong word. I believe he’s tried do what he thinks is best for you even if it breaks his heart.”
Katie stared at the mountains. “He broke mine too.”
The door leading to the kitchen opened and Katie turned, expecting to see Eric’s housekeeper.
“I thought you might be here,” her big brother said. He shoved his hands in his pockets as he crossed the blue stones to the sitting area. Brody nodded to Lena and Hero. “Hello. Brody Summers.”
Hero and Lena stood, the dog moving in front of his owner, his gaze fixed on Brody. “Lena. Nice to meet you,” Lena said, clutching the bag of chocolate. “I should go in and let you two talk.”
Lena and the golden retriever disappeared into the house. Brody claimed her seat. Resting his forearms on his thighs, her brother leaned forward.
“I’m sorry, Katie,” Brody said. “I don’t have the right to make decisions for you. I just wan
ted what’s best for you. Always have. This time, well, I thought that was the job in Montana.”
