Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Layne hadn’t needed Keaton Maxwell to introduce himself to her.
She knew exactly who he was.
When they had met at Mila’s wedding a few weeks ago, she had experienced a surprising attraction to the handsome artist, drawn in by his penetrating azure eyes.
It had been years since she’d felt a sexual spark of such magnitude, and she had quickly mentioned how her boyfriend hadn’t been able to accompany her to the coast for the quickly arranged wedding on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.
Keaton had picked up on her subtle message that she was taken, and she sensed he backed off, continuing their brief conversation before excusing himself.
Layne was thrilled that Mila had landed a good guy in Carson, and her gut told her that Carson’s friend was also cut from the same cloth.
Especially now, with him holding her hand and offering to read the letter Jack Larson had penned.
Her hand cradled by his brought not only warmth, but a comfort, and she was badly in need of a little sympathy.
She held her breath as he read the letter.
Layne was aware of the tang of his citrus cologne, a subtle scent which suited him.
He resembled the stereotype of a surfer, with his dirty blond hair, deep tan, and lean frame.
She told herself to tamp down the attraction she was feeling.
Having just gotten out of a long-term relationship with Jeremy, she was not in the market to replace him with a new man in her life anytime soon.
But as she had told Keaton, she could use a friend.
He placed the page on the table and took a sip of his drink. Then he turned to her. His crystal eyes held empathy.
“I can’t imagine the world of hurt you’re in, Layne,” he said, his hand tightening slightly around hers. “To lose both parents at the same time in such a way is rough. Were you close to them?”
She nodded. “More to Dad than Mom these past few years, but we’ve always been tight.
I never went through a rebellious streak in my teen years.
I made good grades. Played soccer. Was a debater.
My parents came to every event and supported me.
I’m an only child, so they took Mila and Piper in, knowing my best friends were like sisters to me. ”
“Have you talked to either of them?” he asked.
“No.” The word came out as a whisper. “I’m afraid to.”
“Why? I’ve gotten to know Mila through Carson, and she’s an incredible woman. You need to lean on her. And Piper. They’re the sisters of your heart for a reason.”
“I know,” she acknowledged, tears misting her eyes. “It’s just that everything has crashed and burned. I’m confused. Hurt. Lost,” she admitted.
Keaton studied her a moment. “This isn’t just about your parents’ deaths, is it?”
“No,” she said softly. “I broke up with Jeremy, the guy I told you about. We’d been together five years.
Living together the last three. I finally realized that I’d fallen out of love with him a long time ago—and that he never really loved me.
I kicked him out of our house. No, my house,” she corrected.
“I bought it and it’s in my name. And now the thought of living in it turns my stomach. ”
He squeezed her hand reassuringly. “You don’t have to make a decision about it yet. What’s important is to give yourself some time. Don’t rush into anything.” He paused. “How about work? Can you take a leave of absence?”
She shook her head. “That won’t be necessary.
As of two days ago, I’m unemployed. Long story short, my small company was bought out by a larger one.
I was given a terrific package to leave.
So, I can move anywhere I want. Take my time before I take the next step professionally.
I’d thought I might want to travel a bit.
” Layne bit her lip. “After I came down to spend Christmas with Mom and Dad.”
Tears welled in her eyes again, spilling onto her cheeks. Keaton removed a handkerchief from his pocket and instead of offering it to her, he brushed away the tears himself. The tender gesture nearly did her in.
“Cry for your parents—but don’t you dare shed a tear for the sorry asshole who took you for granted,” he advised.
She couldn’t help but chuckle. “Understood.”
“Okay, anymore bombshells to drop on me? We’ve covered your parents’ deaths. Your jobless status. And your ending a long relationship. You should probably get to the really big stuff now.”
Layne saw the teasing light in his eyes, and it was just the medicine she needed. “I think that about covers it. Other than wanting to sell my house and inheriting the B&B, that is.”
A shadow crossed his face. “Have you been there yet?”
“No. I drove by when I got into town, but I had already scheduled a meeting with the funeral director. I went to that and then came straight here.” She swallowed.
“I’m afraid to go inside. Chief Roberts told me that he would take care of things for me.
That there would be no crime scene tape when I arrived and everything would be …
cleaned up. He’ll notify me after the autopsies are completed in Corpus. Then I can plan the actual funerals.”
“That was kind of the chief to come to see you in person,” Keaton noted. He dabbed at her eyes again.
“It really was. I’ve always felt as if I had a second and third set of parents in the Roberts and the Perrys. Growing up, I was at their houses as much as my own. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and my village included Mila and Piper’s parents.”
“What do you need to do next?” he asked. “You said you’d met with the funeral home.”
“Yes. Mom and Dad planned and paid for everything years ago. That was just a formality, with me checking on the arrangements. I’m supposed to meet with the preacher at First Baptist Church once the bodies have been released. To set a date and time for their service.”
A fresh wave of sorrow filled her, and she choked on that last word.
Keaton released her hand and wrapped his arm about her.
Layne buried her face against his hard chest, hot tears flowing again.
He took her hand and simply held her. This man was practically a stranger to her, yet he’d shown more kindness in the last quarter-hour than Jeremy had during their entire relationship.
Finally, her tears subsided. She lifted her head. “I’ll be all right.”
“I know you will. You are a confident, accomplished woman.”
She frowned. “You don’t even know me.”
His gaze pinned hers. “I think I do.”
Layne saw that was true. “I suppose your artist’s soul sees more than the average person.”
“It does. I’ve been a person who studies people my entire life. I listen. I observe. I learn.”
“I’m grateful you were here now. I feel you’ve gotten me over a hump. I really should call Mila and Piper.”
She pulled her cell from her purse and turned it on. Immediately, it exploded with pings of text messages and voicemails.
“I guess the news is out,” she said dully.
Keaton brushed a kiss against her hair. “Driftwood Bay is a small town.”
“Would … would you stay with me another few minutes while I listen to my messages?”
Determination filled his eyes. “I’m not going anywhere until you tell me to.”
“Thank you.”
First, Layne read through the texts she had received. Then she listened to concerned messages Mila, Piper, and others had left. It touched her how many cared for her and wanted to help in any way they could.
Placing her phone back in her purse, she looked to Keaton. “I’m ready to go see Mila now.”
“Would you like me to drive you?” Keaton asked.
“No. I’m good.” She hesitated. “But I wouldn’t mind if you came with me. I know you live across the street.”
He gave her a crooked smile. “I can do that.”
Keaton paid for their drinks and escorted Layne to the car she had rented at the Corpus airport, opening her door for her, another thing Jeremy had never done.
“I’ll see you there,” he told her.
As she left the parking lot of Pelican Porch and drove to Mila and Carson’s house, she felt much stronger than she had half an hour ago. Keaton had a calming effect on her. She hoped that he would become a friend.
She was afraid to think she might want more from him.
That would mean staying in the Bay, and Layne wasn’t sure if she wanted to make that kind of commitment.
Of the three of them, she had been the one most eager to spread her wings and leave their coastal hometown.
She had come to love Dallas, with its incredible restaurants, and she enjoyed wearing high fashion ensembles.
The Bay was the complete opposite of the cosmopolitan city.
And yet suddenly Layne found herself yearning for a more simple life.
Could she be happy in Driftwood Bay? Should she consider running the B&B? Then she remembered Keaton’s advice. Don’t move quickly on any decision. He was right. She was on an emotional roller coaster right now and in no way capable of making decisions of this magnitude.
She pulled to the curb and texted Mila that she was outside, asking if she could come in. Keaton had pulled into the driveway across the street and was crossing it when Mila came bursting out of her house. Layne threw open her car door and hurried to meet her friend.
They crashed into one another, their arms going about each other, both sobbing and babbling.
It felt good to be with one of her two best friends.
Even though they rarely saw one another, due to their jobs, the trio had remained the closest of friends ever since they had each left the Bay, heading to different colleges and different jobs and lifestyles, even arranging FaceTime calls a few times a month to catch up on what was happening in each other’s lives.
“I was so worried when I didn’t hear from you,” Mila said. “Oh, hi, Keaton. Do you remember Layne?”
“I do,” he said, his voice a low rumble, causing that attraction she was feeling to pull her invisibly toward him. “We’ve been talking at Pelican Porch for a little while.”