I turned to Walker, inclining my head towards Tuck. “Who would’ve thought? A small-town Forest Service cop who knows how to string two sentences together.”
Walker burst out laughing. Luckily, none of our horses were skittish, or the loud sound might’ve sent them running. Tuck stuck out his bottom lip, giving it an exaggerated tremble. “Now that’s not very nice.”
I snickered but gave no apology. Tuck grinned. Walker kept right on laughing. “You know, he has a point. I wouldn’t have thought you actually knew how to handle a horse.”
Sitting in the saddle with the land stretched out all around me felt as natural as breathing. It felt like coming home. “I grew up in a small town in Georgia. My grandfather used to take me out on his ranch all the time. Taught me to ride, fish, shoot. All the things a little boy loves.”
Surprise shone in both Walker’s and Tuck’s eyes. I fought my own laughter then. Instead, opting for a smirk and a shake of my head. Just because I’d lived in LA for more than a decade didn’t mean I wasn’t a country boy at heart.
Walker nudged his mount up so that he was riding next to me. “Well, you’re welcome to use the horses anytime you’d like.”
I knew that was his official nod of approval. We’d gotten off to a bit of a rocky start when he thought I’d hooked up with Taylor, but we’d found our way. He had my utmost respect, but it was nice to know that I had his in return. “Thanks. I might just take you up on that.”
Tuck came up on Walker’s other side so that we were now riding three astride across one of the Cole family’s many fields. Tuck’s face had taken on a more somber look. “How’s Little J doing?”
I knew the nickname belonged to Walker’s sister, Jensen. I also knew that she’d been through the wringer lately. Walker’s jaw hardened. “I’m not really sure. She refuses to talk about it. She goes through all the motions of normal life and is the best mom there could be for Noah, but I know she’s hurting.”
Tuck’s hands tightened on his own reins. “I wish I could resurrect that fucker just so I could kill him personally.”
“He’d deserve it.” Walker stared out at the horizon. He hesitated before beginning to speak again. “I’m worried she won’t let anyone in after this.”
I’d picked up bits and pieces of conversations that I’d been on the periphery of like this one, and things Taylor had told me. Jensen had gotten pregnant in college. Her boyfriend at the time had ended things with her and run for the hills. Between that and this latest episode with her psycho ex, it was no wonder the girl had trust issues.
“I’ll go by the guest house, see if she and Noah need anything. Or, if I can take the little man off her hands for an afternoon, maybe she can do something for herself for once.” Tuck’s voice was strung tight.
Walker swatted a fly away from his horse. “That’d be great. Between working at the Kettle and taking care of Noah, she hasn’t had much time for herself.”
Tuck grunted in agreement.
The mention of the tea shop had violet eyes flashing in my mind for what felt like the millionth time. I shifted in my saddle. Silence filled the air. Nothing but the sound of hooves on soft ground could be heard. My curiosity proved too much. “There’s a girl that works in your sister’s shop. What’s her story?” I tried to sound casual, but the look Walker threw me told me that I hadn’t quite pulled it off.
He rubbed a hand over his stubbled jaw. “I’m not real sure, to be honest.” He sent me a sidelong glance. “But she’s one you want to be careful with.”
It didn’t take a genius to catch the warning in his tone. I sat up just a little straighter. “I’m just curious.”
Tuck let out a snort of disbelief. “Curious about how gorgeous she is.”
There was a burning in my gut at his words. It felt a whole lot like jealousy. “I had a little run-in with her at the shop and then again when they were closed. She just…” My words trailed off, unsure of what it was I was trying to express.
Walker nodded as if he understood exactly. “She’s jumpy. Don’t take offense. It took a year for her to not leave the room anytime I came in.”
Thoughts flew through my mind as to what might have made her that way. None of the options were good. I tightened my grip on the saddle horn.
Walker pushed on. “My guess is she’s been hurt, or she’s running from something. Maybe both.”
I thought of our encounter in front of the library, the article about that missing woman. Sharing that with Walker felt like it would be a betrayal somehow. “Jensen hasn’t gotten the story? Tessa’s worked there a long time, hasn’t she?” The women I knew wouldn’t rest until they’d unearthed every story their friend had to tell, especially if they thought something might be hurting their friend.
Walker shook his head. “You start asking her questions about her life before she got to Sutter Lake, Tessa will lock down tight. You won’t get a thing out of her, and she’ll start avoiding you like the plague.”
I let out a quiet groan. She was already avoiding me. Normally, if a woman didn’t seem interested, I moved the hell on—plenty of fish in the sea and all that. But there was something about Tessa, a fragile strength that made me want to know more about her.
A low chuckle sounded to my right. I turned to see Tuck wearing a shit-eating grin. “I love this. Hollywood comes to Sutter Lake and can’t get the girl he’s interested in to give him the time of day.”
If Tuck had been within arm’s reach, I would’ve elbowed him in the gut. Walker acted for me, smacking him upside the head. “You know, Tuck, some people want quality over quantity.”
Tuck snickered. “You’re just jealous because Taylor’s got you locked down tight. Might as well be a married man. Me, I’ve got all the freedom in the world. And let me tell you, boys, variety is the spice of life.”
I’d had variety. Plenty of it. When I was young and dumb, and my music was just taking off, I’d indulged in that scene—the groupies and the random women at bars. The models and actresses. But what no one tells you is that it gets lonely really quick. Women want in your bed for two reasons: to have a story to tell their friends, or in hopes of snagging their meal ticket.
