Page 34 of Sterling Stone

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Mary Haven glancing between Stone and me and feel Aunt Trudy’s narrowed gaze on the opposite side of my face.

“Seems the bathroom upstairs is finally vacant,” Aunt Trudy mutters in that knowing tone she has. Like she hadn’t missed how I was upstairs. And so was Stone. And she knows he and I shared a moment.

Never kissed anyone like I kissed you. And like you kissed me back.

Had he felt it? Did he feel like I was someone as unique to him as he’d been to me? And why would any of this matter?

I wasn’t staying, I scold myself internally, gritting my teeth, and clenching my fist, like I’m arguing with myself. Starting a new battle within me.

I couldn’t stay in Sterling Falls, could I?

I glance at Aunt Trudy, missing her with an ache I hadn’t known existed until I saw her again. It’s been almost a year since Simon came to her and I came to check on both of them. Guilt hits me hard. I should do better, be better, about visiting, about spending time with both of them.

For some unknown reason, I gaze back at Stone.

Do not make him a reason to come back as well. No chasing, Tallulah Alexander. We don’t do that.

With Stone still staring back at me, there’s no doubt the two women in the room witness the way we look at one another. Both of us reserved, while a hint of hunger lies behind his eyes. Or maybe that’s lost hope.

He wants me to trust him, and I want to, maybe, but I don’t know how.

And the longer he keeps me ensnared with his gaze, the more I want to rush across this kitchen and beg him to show me who he is, like he asked upstairs.

Because a man wanting to prove himself to me means he thinks I’m worth proving something to, as if saying, you’re safe with me. I’ve got your back. And your heart.

The thought rattles me. It’s too much too fast, and I’m ready for Mary Haven’s special lemonade to clear my head. Or better yet, erase any crazy ideas, like learning more about Stone Sylver.

Thankfully, Stone breaks first, though I don’t miss how his shoulders fall in defeat.

As for me, my belly sinks, and I roll my lips inward, chewing at them as he gives me the side of his face. Instantly, I note the strong line of his nose, the puff of his lips, and the hard edge of his jaw. Plus, that thick mustache.

He’s grown up very nicely, as Mary said.

Quickly, he looks back in my direction but addresses Mary and Trudy. His voice is that tender, rugged tone that tickles my skin.

“Ladies, thank you again for being here today. You’ve both been important to our family, and I apologize that it’s been so long since we’ve had you here for supper.”

Heavy silence fills the room, and my stomach drops another notch. Something deeper exists in the quiet seconds that pass. And I recall all the times Judd Sylver hung out at Trudy’s place, sheepishly accepting the meals she offered him. The Sylvers had been no better off than us. Then again, Sedona, Jolene, and I had the love of Trudy and Carlton. Judd had a mean daddy, which meant⁠—

My attention snaps back toward Stone.

That evil man had also been the father of the man offering his full gratitude and sincere apologies to Mary and Trudy.

A new desire to rush him takes over. One which wants to offer him sympathy and understanding. To hug him and hold him and tell him how sorry I am that someone so vile as his daddy was his dad.

We all live diverse experiences. And our perspective was judge and jury on the experience of others. Have I misjudged Stone again?

Shit.

“Stone Sylver, don’t you dare make me cry,” Trudy warns, crossing the kitchen toward him.

Mary simply sets down her knife and reaches for a paper towel to dab at her eyes.

Fuck. The air feels clogged with something bigger than Stone and me and our interlude upstairs, and suddenly, I don’t know what to do with myself.

When it came to Stone Sylver, every new layer revealed twists me all up inside.

He’s certainly a kaleidoscope of color.