“You were one of the best parts of this trip, pretty girl.” My voice comes out a little wobblier than I expected. She blinks her long-lashed eye at me, and I press my forehead against her nose, just for a second, just long enough to say what I don’t have the words for.
I stay longer than I had planned. I tell myself it’s because of Cinnamon, because she’s warm and uncomplicated and she doesn’t know anything about this week except the parts that were good. But mostly I stay because walking out of this stable means getting in that car, and getting in that car means the week is over, and I am not quite ready to be done being the version of myself I was out here. The one who sketched strangers by moonlight and danced on riverbanks and didn’t think once about paintbrush inventory.
I give her my last apple slice and step back. “See you.”
I’m almost to the stable entrance when a familiar shadow stretches across the entryway.
Cam.
I reach the doorway just as he steps through it, and for the length of one breath we are three feet apart and completely still. His jaw is tight. His eyes find mine and stay there, and I feel the full weight of the unfinished thing between us settle in my chest like a stone finding the bottom.
I walk past him into the sun even though it doesn't feel very bright.
Chapter 11
Walker
I ring the doorbell holding a potted prickly pear cactus. Well, technically two: one that will bloom orange flowers while the other blooms red. The nursery employee transferred them into an ornate black plastic pot. I figured that was best with the boys.
My heart is hammering in my chest so hard that I’m fairly certain the cactus can feel it. I take a moment to scan the home, a cottage style home with a large wrap-around porch. The neighborhood is older, with large oak trees and homes that are undergoing updates. It reminds me of my mother’s house in Tulsa, and that settles me a bit. That is until I see a woman peering at me through the side curtain, a slight frown on her brow.
Just great.
A few seconds later, she opens the door barely enough to step through. She closes it behind her—just in time, I’m guessing, since four little hands pat it repeatedly.
“May I help you?”
“I’m here to see Mallory. Is she available?”
The woman looks to be about forty. I’m guessing she’s their older sister or mother as she has the same face and build as the twins and the way her arms are crossed, I’m not feeling very welcome at the moment.
“It’s about time, Cameron Walker James.” Her blue eyes are stunning, but how they’re aimed at me? Not liking them so much.
I hold out my hand anyway, knowing I’m risking my guitar-playing. “Nice to meet you.”
“Emily Jenkins.” She shakes it firmly and releases it without a word, and I think that went about as well as I deserve.
She stands guard at her front door, and I can see so much of Mallory in her that I decide she has to be the twins’ mother. She doesn’t give a fuck who I am other than someone who hurt her kid.
But she said It’s about time, so I hold on to that tiny strand of hope as my hands sweat holding this cactus.
“I’ve asked around about you.”
“Is that right?” I don’t mean to drawl the words, but my southern is coming out.
“You’d better believe it.” She eyes me from head to toe, a lawn mower kicking to life somewhere nearby.. “You work with Nash Rivers?”
“I do. I’m signed to his label.” I hold her blue gaze, noting the small widow’s peak at her hairline, so like Mallory’s. “And I’ve worked with Bree and Izzy Winthrop.”
“It’s a good thing my parents adore all three of them and trust their judgment. Otherwise, you wouldn’t step one foot inside this house.”
Is that an invitation inside? Not quite sure, so I stay put. “May I speak with Mallory? I can do it on the porch if you’d prefer.”
“Come on in. Just be warned.”
I don’t have time to digest her words because as soon as she opens the door, two whirlwinds rush out. I grab one while Emily grabs the other.
“Boys. The rule is to sit on the bench and wait if Mommy or EmEm are at the door. We’re going to set you down, and I need to see that you can do that.”
