CHAPTER 20
Walker
UNKNOWN NUMBER: Did you hear that Walker asked Mrs. Simmons to send him pictures?
UNKNOWN NUMBER: That doesn’t sound like Walker.
UNKNOWN NUMBER: I don’t know. He’s a good looking man and he’s all alone in that big house.
UNKNOWN NUMBER: That’s not true, Tallulah Darling is back. Remember? Bet you by the end of the Daffodil Festival they’re a couple!
* * *
My head is pounding from the lashing I just took at dinner.
The chicken Parmesan was good, and the pie was incredible, but I don’t think anything is worth what I just went through.
Okay, that’s an exaggeration. I’d probably sit through another round just for the crust on that pie.
Tally is fucking incredible in the kitchen.
Still, this day has been a lot and I am in need of some fresh air so I can stop sniffing every corner of this house in my search of her and her intoxicating scent. I’m just heading for the front door when Tally appears at the top of the second-floor steps.
“Hey!” she calls to me before I make it.
I nod in her direction but can’t seem to find the words for a reply when I catch a glimpse of her.
Her hair is piled up on her head, a few tendrils have escaped to frame her face, and her lips shine with a gloss.
She’s also changed into a white frilly dress with all sorts of buttons that start at her breasts and run down to her mid-thigh, where it’s just open despite the fabric continuing down to her ankles.
Is she going on a date? Something heavy settles in my stomach at the thought.
“Heading into town?” she asks before following me through the front the door and out onto the porch. The tree frogs sing through the spring night, and I take a deep breath, tasting the dew in the air right before taking in the deep violet of the night sky.
I shake my head. “Just going for a walk.”
“Oh, can I borrow your truck then?” She holds out her hand, signaling that she’s waiting for the keys.
My head whips over my shoulder as I search the driveway. “Where’s that tiny car you showed up in?”
“It was a rental.”
“Okay?”
“So I need to borrow your car.”
“No.”
She folds her arms across her chest and narrows her eyes. “Fine. I’ll walk. Goodbye.”
Before she can push past me in her temper tantrum, I grab her elbow. “Where are you going?”
“To my sister’s bookstore. It’s book club night.”
I sigh. “You aren’t walking.”
She tilts her head. “Well, I don’t have a car, and you won’t let me borrow yours.”
I take the steps two at a time and head toward my truck. “I’ll drive you.”
I hold open the passenger door, waiting for her to take her sweet time sauntering in my direction. When she finally reaches me, she flashes me a huge smile before setting a pink cowboy boot on the step to climb into my truck. “If you wanted to spend time with me, Cowboy, all you had to do was ask.”
“Jesus,” I mutter before slamming the door and rounding the truck, reminding myself the entire time that I can handle this.
I can be in a truck with her. I can ignore her scent and her commentary and her damn smile that drives me to distraction.
But the second I get in, my eyes cut to her bare thigh, which is exposed because of how she’s folded one leg over the other, allowing her spring dress to fall open.
Whipping my head forward, I turn on the truck and immediately lower the windows. Less chance of that floral scent suffocating me.
Tally’s phone lights up in her lap, and she answers without a hello. “I’m coming.”
“What’s taking you so long?” A voice cuts through. “The ladies are getting antsy to discuss alien dick.”
I practically slam on the brakes before we’ve even made it ten feet from the house. Tally grabs the handle above her head, and she rolls her eyes. “She’s joking. Calm down.”
“I’m not.” Penny’s voice continues before dropping down to a whisper. “You should hear them. Blue alien dick with three heads. They’re saying they could all just share one. Help me.”
My stomach rolls.
“Sorry, Walker wasn’t ready to say goodbye yet so he’s driving me. He’s very needy,” Tally explains.
I glare at her and gas it out of the driveway.
“Aw, I’m glad you’re getting along,” Penny sings.
“Something like that,” Tally says with a smile. “I’ll see you in five.”
She’s barely hung up the phone when she starts giggling.
“What are you laughing at?”
Tally turns her entire body, leaning her back up against the door, and studies me. “Have you checked your phone in a while?”
I watch the way the moon makes her eyes sparkle. “What?”
“Your phone? Here, let me.” She reaches across the center console and pats my hip.
“What are you doing?” I grit out even as my dick throbs in my jeans. Her hand is too close, and my body doesn’t understand that she’s off-limits.
“Looking for your phone,” she replies as she continues to stroke my side.
I’m thrilled when I spot her sister’s bookstore and find a parking spot right in front. I pull in and park as Tally gives up her search. Then, hands on the steering wheel, I keep my focus forward. “Have a good night.”
“Hey, about what my mom said tonight.” The way Tally’s tone has changed from her normal teasing to something more serious, or maybe even nervous, has me pulling my attention to face her.
She sucks her bottom lip between her teeth before rolling it out of her mouth.
My eyes flare. Hers almost seem to droop.
“Is that going to be okay? Me helping you? I know you don’t trust me, but I’ll do whatever you tell me.
I want this to work.” She reaches across the truck like she’s going to put her hand on my thigh, and instinct has me jolting back.
She mimics the movement, practically hitting the door, and squeezes her fists.
“Tally, I—” Words fail me. I want to say I’m sorry.
That yes, I can make this work. But I don’t trust myself right now, for a multitude of reasons.
Most importantly, the secrets I’m currently keeping because her mom asked me to and the dire state of the farm.
Also because her dad warned me to stay away.
After all Gail and Peter have given me, I’m not going to be selfish just to make myself feel good for a night. I need to be stronger than that.
Tally lets out a heavy sigh. “Whatever, it’s fine. I’ll just stay out of your way. Thanks for the ride.” Her phone buzzes again and she lets out a hiss of air when she sees the screen.
My heart rate ticks up. “What?”
She rolls her eyes. “Just Eli being Eli.”
“What does that mean?”
She points to my phone, which won’t stop buzzing.
“What is this, and how do I make it stop?” I ask.
Tally snorts, and the tension from just moments before eases. She hands me her phone and, unlike mine, hers has names that go along with all the messages.
PENNY: Did you hear that Walker asked Mrs. Simmons to send him pictures?
FLETCHER: That doesn’t sound like Walker.
BABS: I don’t know. He’s a good looking man and he’s all alone in that big house.
RAYNA: That’s not true, Tallulah Darling is back. Remember? Bet you by the end of the Daffodil Festival they’re a couple!
ELI: Walker isn’t the only man in this town. Maybe she’ll end up with me.
ROSIE: Well, things just got INTERESTING.
STEW: Maybe if you played for Boston you’d have a shot, but a New York team? No way.
ELI: I DIDN’T CHOOSE NEW YORK THEY CHOSE ME!
RAYNA: Don’t use all caps in this chat young man. Use your manners!
ELI: Sorry Mrs. McGovern.
BABS: They just pulled up to the bookstore and they’re sitting in the car staring at one another.
My head whips up and I spot a group of Hope Harbor residents with their noses pressed against the window, watching us. “Ah hell.”
Tally’s lips puff out with a laugh. “I’ll see you back at the house.”
I shake my head right as another message pops up.
ELI: What are you all doing at the bookstore? I want to come.
My head falls back against my seat as I watch Tally disappear inside. Everyone else leaves the window except Penny, who stands to watch me for another moment. Then she shakes her head and turns the shop door sign to CLOSED before disappearing as well.
I drum my fingers against the steering wheel for one, two, three—ah, dammit. I stuff my phone in my pocket and turn off the engine. Then somehow I find myself getting out of my truck and walking toward the door.
Just in case Eli really does show up.