"It really is," Fiona agreed. "Those are the best nights around here." She put a hand up over her mouth to cover a yawn. "I should get going. It's almost Sarah's bedtime and I have to run a couple of things over to Gavin Clarke first."
"Can I come?" I asked.
I ignored the widening of Riley's grin. I hadn't forgotten his promise that the next time I came, it would be on his mouth. My trusty vibrator might prove him wrong, but we'd see.
In the meantime, I was curious about Gavin. Should I be? It felt a little morbid, but I couldn't help myself. After the guys told me about his daughter, my heart hurt for him. If I could helplook out for the man, that could be another way for me to settle here in town.
"Of course," Fiona said lightly. "Later, Ri."
"Later, Fi." He gave her a brief nod. "Later, sweetheart." He looked like he wanted to kiss me, but he tucked his hands into his pockets and leaned back against the bar to watch us leave.
"He's got it bad," Fiona said as we stepped out into the still of night.
I glanced back to see him still watching, his gaze on my ass.
"I wouldn't go that far." He wanted to fuck me, but chances were he'd forget me the second we were done. I'd be another notch in his belt. Did I want that? Ugh, I didn't care for that line of thought. I didn't want to be thrown away like a disposable coffee cup the minute it was empty. I already lived that life. I deserved better.
I pushed those thoughts away and focused on the moment. "What are we taking to Gavin?"
"A few things for breakfasts and lunches," Fiona said. She stopped to pick up a couple of bags that sat by the back door of the pub, out of the way. "Mostly bread, peanut butter, things like that." She peered into the bags, the sides of her mouth turned down.
"Does he eat them?" I asked gently, guessing the reason for her expression.
"Some of it," she said. "We throw out a lot. Louisa and Carly from the Snowdrop Café check on him when they can, and make sandwiches and things. Sometimes I think…"
"Connor and Riley told me what happened with his daughter," I whispered. If that was why she was holding back from finishing that sentence, she should know I understood. Or at least, I had the situation explained to me.
"Right." Fiona looked up. "Sometimes I think he wishes he was the one who fell into the creek. I've seen him over the lake,staring into the water like maybe he'll… I don't know. Jump in. If it happened to Sarah…" She sniffed.
"It must be hard on him," I said.
I'd never loved anyone so much I wanted to follow them under the water. I knew a couple I mightholdunder there, but I kept that distasteful thought to myself. I'd never act on it anyway. I could barely slice meat without feeling bad about the animal it came from.
"Yeah." Fiona pushed the door open with her back and stepped out, leaving me to hurry behind her.
My legs felt a little stiff and achey. I didn't need to look to know they were beginning to swell. I'd try to have a bath when I got back home. Maybe I could prevent the worst of a flare-up.
"So, you went up to the lookout with those two," Fiona said when we were about half a block away from the pub.
"Let me guess, you've never been there either?" I asked.
She glanced over and smiled. "Oh, I have, but not with either of them. I was seeing a guy for a while. Things didn't work out."
"I'm sorry," I said. "I'm sure you deserve better."
She laughed. "I really do. He was sweet, but he always had one foot out of Aurora Hollow, you know? I wouldn't leave and he wouldn't stay."
"Definitely his loss then," I said. "Where did he go?"
"Last I heard, he was playing baseball in Toronto. Professionally. I mean, I guess I can't blame a guy for leaving to do something like that. There aren't many professional baseball teams in town. Specifically…none."
I laughed. "Yeah, okay, I get that. Do you think he'll ever come back?"
"Reese?" She looked thoughtful. "Maybe. I mean, he comes back for holidays and during the off-season. Sometimes we hook up, sometimes we don't. But I don't know if he'd want to stick around permanently. Why would he when he has fans chasinghim. What's the baseball equivalent of a puck bunny? Ball bunny? Bat bunny? Jersey chaser?"
"I have no idea," I admitted. "If picks them over you, then he's crazy."
"I agree completely," she said. "I told him I wouldn't wait for him, and I won't. Even if I didn't deserve better, Sarah does. I don't want someone in her life who's ready to walk out the door at any moment. I want her to have stability, to be able to trust the people around her."
