Page 41 of Hard to Love

“Okay. Let’s call Kipton.” Lea presses the number into her phone, so it begins. Ellis Kipton is the private detective Lea used to help find One’s stalker. Although, Lea figured it out first. Woman’s got mad skills.

“Hi, Kipton. It’s Hadlea Woods. I have a job for you. Can I forward you the information?” Lea puts the phone on speaker.

“Hi, Mrs. Woods. Of course, I’ll get someone right on it. Background?” Kipton is straight into business mode.

“Hardison Casey Turner. Twenty-nine. Known family, Erica, his wife. I need his whereabouts and any information on Erica you can dig up. Hardy married her when he was seventeen, in Charleston, South Carolina,” Lea states. I tend to forget she’s so business-minded.

“Hardy? Mr. Woods right-hand man, Hardy?” Kipton questions.

“Yes. And Kipton, for now, this goes through my account. I’ll tell my husband later.” Lea shuts down his thoughts.

“Alright, send me over what you have.” They end the call.

“Promise me, you’ll use this only for good. Okay?” Lea asks as she walks to the door.

“Yes, promise. Now, go home. Maybe you’ll get to see my brother before he leaves for work. I’m going to talk to Walker.” Lea smiles sweetly, and with a wink, she’s gone.

I straighten my face, putting on my cutest jeans and tee with a ball hat. Stopping for coffee on my way over, I’m sitting on his front porch when he comes out for his morning paper. He’s looking hot as fuck this morning. Don’t get me wrong, country boy in tight jeans with swagger is damn nice, but Walker Pennington in a navy vest and fitted slacks with a crisp white dress shirt is fucking hotter. Damn.

He walks over to me, squatting beside me to pick up his cup of java. Blowing the steam off, he side-eyes me. Waiting. Calm and relaxed, he waits for me to speak. I’m hard-headed as hell; this boy will never learn. He chuckles when I say nothing, shaking his head slightly.

“Good morning,” he says before his next swallow.

“Mornin’,” I quip.

“What brings you by, Thayer?” He sets his cup down to grab his paper. He’s not as cool as Hardy, but he’s got game.

“You. I won’t make you any promises, but I’ll try, Walker. You deserve it.” His mouth hangs as he contemplates my words.

“Okay. Let’s try. I love you, Thayer. I’ll do my best to never hurt you.” Gazing into those Carolina blue eyes, I believe him. If there’s one thing about Walker that isn’t like Hardy, he’ll always be honest with me. He’ll believe in our love, whatever it may be. He’s safe.

“Well, okay. Breakfast?” Standing with him, he pulls me into a kiss. Soft, sweet. Safe.

After breakfast, we each head for our workplaces. I look like hell, but what the fuck ever. Maybe I should tell him the real reason. No, probably not a good idea.

After some filing and a few call-in orders, the troublesome duo walks through my door. My brothers are great, but I’ll be damned if they’re going to badger me over all of this shit. Especially the fact that I still love Hardy. I’m hoping the information I shared with Walker this morning will help smooth the road.

“Hey, Tay.” Chord kisses me on the cheek before sitting down.

“Hey, sweetie. How are you?” One stands diplomatically watchful.

“Good morning. I’m good. Honestly, I’m thankful for the women in my life. Have I ever told you how amazing your wife is, One? I love her.” I wink at him.

“Damn straight she is. Helluva lucky man,” Chord chimes in.

“She makes my fucking blood boil. Fuck, I love her.” One winks back as we all laugh. I’ve missed them. One takes his phone from his pocket and begins to text.

“Who are you texting?” Chord and I share a giggle.

“That badass wife of mine. May need to run home at lunch.” We burst into laughter. “Seriously, how are you, sis?” One joins us, sitting around my desk.

“I’m surviving. I still love him, guys. I don’t know what to say. I did talk to Walker this morning, though, and told him I would try more with him. He’s a great man and deserves more than I’ve given so far.” I shrug through my last words.

“What about what you deserve?” One question as he studies me.

“What if Walker is more of an asshole than Hardy?” Chord murmurs.

“Why would you even say such a thing? From the minute we bumped into him, you’ve acted weird. So spill.” I’ve had enough of his innuendos.