Page 26 of Broken: Taylor

Chapter 11

Mindy letout a breath as Taylor and Allison walked in. It was the second time she’d seen them together. They seemed to be getting along better than the first time, by the lingering of his hand on her back and the way she smiled at him. As if a secret passed between them.

New relationships were always so fresh and exciting. Although she’d not dated in a couple of years, it made her want to smile despite the current circumstances.

“Good morning,” Allison greeted her. “How are you feeling?”

In truth, she felt guilty. Either her brother’s death had not sunk in, or the fact her parents had taken over her house, filling it with hilarious, continuous bickering and barking of dogs helped. Although she was sure her parents didn’t understand her sense of humor from hearing them argue over everything.

Both had brought a dog. The dogs didn’t get along any better than they did. Although she’d planned to close the café for the week, she’d been glad to get out of the house and escape.

“I’m good. My parents are here...” Mindy left the sentence hanging, not sure what to add.

Both placed their orders and her employee began to make the coffee and bagels.

“I’m so sorry for your loss Mindy,” Allison said. “I didn’t know your brother was living here.”

Mindy nodded. “Nobody really knew, he was pretty much a recluse. Had a lot of issues.”

She accepted a hug from Allison.

Taylor hung back, his gaze moving from her face to behind her to the coffee machine. All the Hamilton’s were very handsome. However, she found Taylor to be distinct. Just as attractive as the twins, he stood out however with a deep cleft in his chin.

Muscular like Tobias and Luke, his presence filled a room. And with a background in law enforcement like Eric Hamilton, he gave the sense of knowing more than was obvious.

He was normally easy-going and always friendly when she’d seen him around town. But there was a standoffish air about him at the same time.

“Notice any new people come in for coffee in the last couple days?” he asked in a flat voice.

Her mind immediately went back to the man she’d seen that morning, maybe twenty minutes earlier. He’d stood outside the café peering in, his expression somber.

“No. Other than the usuals, just a family that was passing through on their way to Cartersville.”

“See a guy in a blue jacket, perhaps mid thirties?” he prompted.

Her heart skipped a bit. “Yes. He stood outside and looked in. But he didn’t come inside.”

“Seen him before?”

She motioned for her employee to serve a woman who’d walked in. Meanwhile, Mindy carried their coffee and bagels on a tray to a table.

“No never. Didn’t look familiar. Should I be concerned?”

Taylor’s brows lowered. “Probably not. Just be sure to keep someone with you when you’re here.”

Although it was good that he didn’t try to bullshit her, his lack of assurance didn’t help her feel better. “Okay. I’m rarely alone here in the café. My parents are coming before closing so we can go out to dinner.”

“Good.” He looked toward the booth. “Should you need anything, give me a call. Eric will be back from Billings later today. I’ll make sure he updates you.”

Mindy scanned the café, the familiarity of it setting her mind at ease. If Eric didn’t call or stop there by nightfall, she’d call him. Hopefully they’d caught the man who’d killed Brian. She squeezed her eyes shut.

Maybe it was too soon for her to be there, but other than sitting at home overcome by sadness, she’d had to get out and do something normal.

Taylor settled across from Allison. He was glad she’d not put makeup on or did whatever women do to fix up. Natural and dressed in the clothes she’d pulled on after making love made him want to pound his chest and let everyone know she’d been his that morning.

Yeah, pretty primitive and embarrassingly teenage emotions, but he’d enjoy it for the moment. Hell, it’d been a long time since he’d felt so much excitement over a woman.

The reality of what he’d been putting off would settle in soon. For now, having been woken up with a beautiful woman sucking him off made him want to drag her back to her place and do a repeat.