Love Me Reckless (Love Me Dangerous #2)

Chapter 31

Chapter Thirty-One

KIRILEE

When I wake again, dawn is breaking but the light is gray and the wind has strengthened. I think about Sawyer on the mountain, braving the elements. A slow yearning burns through me.

To my delight, he’s sent me a message:

Morning, sunshine

He’s added a picture of the sunrise, which he must have taken from atop one of the ski lift towers because the tree line edges the bottom of the frame. Though the clouds are thick above, there’s a ribbon of bright magenta across the horizon and a slice of mountain washed with pink.

I give it a heart, but before I can reply, the dots dance, and a message appears.

Can’t wait to see you later

Flutters tickle up my throat.

I miss you

I wait for more but I’m sure he’s crazy busy, and reception on the mountain can be spotty.

Downstairs, Sheldon is standing at the kitchen counter across from the fridge eating a bowl of cereal and talking into a flip phone.

“Don’t think so,” he says, spooning a bite into his mouth. “Though I might?—”

He stops as I enter the kitchen. “Gotta go,” he says into the phone and snaps it shut.

“Morning,” I say.

He salutes me with a spoonful of cereal. “Morning.”

“Everything okay?” I glance at the phone.

“Huh? Oh, yeah, just my car.”

“Is there something wrong with it?”

“Needs a new engine, apparently.”

“That sounds tricky.”

He shrugs and spoons another bite of cereal, the milk dripping onto the counter.

My stomach grumbles. I’m a little unsure of myself in this situation. Do I offer to make him breakfast? “Did you sleep well?”

“Not really.”

“Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.”

He takes another bite, spilling more milk. Why doesn’t he sit at the table? And do I clean up when he’s done or ask him to?

I find some bread on the counter near the toaster, and jam and butter in the fridge. “Can I make you some toast?”

His eyes brighten for an instant. “Yeah. Thanks.”

The toaster has four slots, so I put in three pieces of bread, then have a look at the coffee maker. “Do you drink coffee?”

“Yeah, I had some already.”

“Oh.” The coffeemaker carafe has a splash of coffee left in the bottom that’s turning to sludge.

“Want me to make more?” he asks, raising his eyebrows .

“That’s okay. I think I’ll wait for later.”

He nods.

After making our toast, I set the plate in front of him. “Yum.” He rubs his belly.

I carry my plate to the table with a glass of orange juice. Sheldon drinks the milk from his cereal bowl then starts in on his toast. “Remind me your name again.”

“Kirilee.”

He snaps his fingers. “That’s right. Never heard that name before.”

I smile.

A knock on the door makes me jump, spilling my juice.

“I’ll get it,” Sheldon says. He hurries down the hall while I grab a paper towel to clean up my mess. From the kitchen, the front entryway is out of sight, but from Sheldon’s tone, it sounds like he knows the visitor.

The door shuts and Sheldon returns. He doesn’t mention the visitor.

I want to ask a hundred questions but they all sound nosy in my head, so I finish my toast while Sheldon slips into the bathroom.

The giant tree in the backyard sways in the stiff wind, sending needles onto the snowy ground. When I check my phone, Ava has sent me a message in our group chat with Sofie.

Glory Holes, 10 am?

I reply with a thumbs up.

I’m bringing a guest

Sofie adds a thumbs up.

Sheldon, right?

I’m playing tour guide today

Great, see you soon

Sheldon is still in the bathroom with the fan on when I finish my toast, so after cleaning up the kitchen, I go back upstairs to brush my teeth. Last night, Sawyer and I shared his because we left our things at the vacation rental. We’ll get you your own for next time , he said with a wink.

I like the sound of that. But it also brings up my uncertain future. Today I had planned to reach out to the realtor and my bank, but that will have to wait. I tell myself it’s just one day. Maybe by tomorrow I’ll know a little more about what my financial future looks like.

When I return downstairs, Sheldon is just coming out of the bathroom.

“We should leave soon,” I say. “Are you ready?”

“Lead the way.”

I grab my coat from the mudroom. Sheldon hovers in the doorway, apprehension tightening his eyes.

“Do you need to borrow a coat?” I ask him.

He rubs his arms. “Actually, yeah, I was hoping someone had a spare.”

It strikes me that he’s wearing the same clothes as last night. Where are his things if he’s moving to Florida? In the car, maybe?

“I’m sure Sawyer wouldn’t mind.” I slip the ski parka I bought for him hanging from one of the pegs and hand it over.

“Thanks.”

He doesn’t fill it out like Sawyer, but it’ll keep him warm.

We leave through the front door and I lock it behind us. The strong wind whips at my hair and stings my eyes. I tuck the loose curls behind my ears and pull up my hood.

“So how long have you and Sawyer been together?” Sheldon asks as we walk the shoveled path to the sidewalk .

I pause mid-step as I try to form an answer that doesn’t make me sound crazy. “Um, we met at Zach’s swearing-in ceremony back in September.”

“You better invite me to the wedding,” he says, flashing me a grin over the hood of Sawyer’s truck.

This throws me—until I realize how it must appear. The ring on my finger. Me staying in Sawyer’s room. Though I want to explain the truth, I don’t exactly have the words for it yet. “Of course.”

I climb into Sawyer’s truck, and to my relief, the engine purrs to life. Sawyer walked me through the steps to getting it started if my first try failed. Carefully, I back into the street.

“So what do people do in this town?” Sheldon asks once we’re underway.

“For fun, or do you mean commerce?”

“Both, I guess.”

At the stop sign, I turn right, toward downtown. “Recreation is a big draw. Skiing in the winter, hunting in the fall, and outdoor adventure in the summer. We have a thriving arts community. Our summer symphony series brings in world class musicians.”

“What’s this ranch place?” he asks. “I saw signs.”

“Finn River Ranch is a private, members-only community.”

He arches an eyebrow. “Like for rich people?”

I’m not sure how best to answer this. “For anyone wanting privacy and security.”

“Gotcha. So… do these members mingle with the common folk? Or do they keep their money to themselves?”

I fight my urge to go on the defensive. Finn River Ranch members do all kinds of good for our community. Just last year, one family funded a brand-new playground in town, and in the past there have been other large gestures—a hospital wing, an updated airport. And without their continuous support, small town Finn River’s arts culture would not be nearly as vibrant.

“Most members are very generous,” I reply .

Sheldon purses his lips. “Can you get me in? I need to see this place.”

The idea of driving up to the gate in Sawyer’s truck after we used it as our getaway car just days ago sends pins and needles down my spine. “Maybe later?”

“Sure.”

I drive through town, pointing out my favorite landmarks. Finn River’s historic hotel. The library. My favorite bookstore and the neighboring café that serves the best homemade fudge, our lively little music venue pub, The Limelight, and the park edging the lake. I pull into a spot so Sheldon can savor the view across the wind-scuffed water.

“It’s prettier in better weather,” I say to fill the silence.

His thigh jiggles sporadically, almost like he doesn’t know he’s doing it. “Cool.”

I’m tempted to get him talking about Sawyer and why things seem so strained. If Sheldon’s struggling, shouldn’t we help him?

I turn into Glory Holes at five minutes before ten, and scan for a space. Parking a big truck like this isn’t something I’m used to. Hutch pulls in behind me, with Ava next to him and Sofie in the backseat.

After we both park and I introduce Sheldon, he and Hutch peel off for the entrance while Ava and Sofie huddle close to me behind them. The cold wind skitters across the parking lot, tasting of old snow and dust.

“How’s your mom?” Sofie asks as we follow the guys.

“Better. She’s home with Grandma Dora, who insisted on staying in town to help.”

“Sounds like Dora,” Sofie says.

Tomorrow I promised to bring Sawyer home so she can meet him too. The thought fills me with gentle hope.

“How is your dad taking… what happened?” Ava winces, probably because she knows the answer.

“He’s furious. ”

Sofie sighs. “That’s expected.”

“What about the business stuff? Any resolution there?” Ava asks.

“Not yet, but Grayson’s convinced this is an opportunity.”

Sofie pulls me into a hug. “It’s going to work out.”

Ava hugs me next, and I squeeze her tight.

“I gotta tell you guys something,” Sofie says under her breath. “At the house, okay?”

“Hold up, are you pregnant?” Ava asks.

Sofie’s eyes widen. “What? No.”

“But someone is?” I ask.

“Later,” Sofie says, hurrying to take the door from Hutch.

We hurry inside, to the welcoming scents of cinnamon and soft, sugary dough. I groan in anticipation.

“How are things with Sawyer?” she asks over the steady din of happy customers chatting.

Pleasure tingles erupt on my skin, and I smile. “Amazing.”

Sofie giggles. “Get it, girrrl.”

I laugh, and another layer of my fears melts away. Though I know my loyal friends will support me in anything, a little part of me worried that after the surprise of Saturday afternoon wore off, they’d be questioning my choices.

A twinge of unease niggles my gut, but I inhale the sweet scents and savor the busy chatter and steady whir of the espresso machine.

We join the back of the line, which strategically hugs the glass display showcasing all the goodies. The top two rows are for the many variety of donut holes, and the bottom are for bars, cinnamon rolls, and full-sized donuts.

“It smells divine in here,” Ava says over the din. “They don’t make anything like this in San Francisco.”

“You should get some for the plane tomorrow,” Sofie says, eyeing the display case.

Hutch glances back to Ava, and their eyes meet for a split second.

“Good idea,” Ava says, refocusing on the display, her face tense.

The line advances, and we each place our order. Miranda, the owner, rings us up while one of her helpers buzzes around, snapping bakery tissue from the box behind him and plucking donut holes from the case.

“Be right back,” Sheldon says after giving his order, and shuffles past us. I frown as he heads for the door. He seems… preoccupied.

“And coffees, please,” Sofie adds, drawing my attention back to the group just in time to whip out my card and slide it under Hutch’s arm to tap the machine.

“Hey, not so fast!” he protests with a laugh, pushing my hand away.

“Let me, please?”

He shakes his head. “I’m under strict orders.”

“Ha. That’s a bunch of baloney.” I nudge him to the side so I can sign the receipt.

“Not cool,” Hutch says, giving me a shrewd scowl.

“Um, try it again?” Miranda says, nodding at the machine.

“Oh, sure.” I tap my card on the pad, and it beeps. I’m about to put my card away when Miranda frowns. “Do you have a different card? This one doesn’t seem to be working.”

“Keer, let me,” Hutch says like he can read my mind.

The café’s noises seem to swirl around me, crowding my ears. “Sure.”

Why isn’t my card working?

Hutch taps the machine and immediately, the screen flashes with the signature prompt. My face burns with a prickly feeling I don’t understand, and my gut feels hollow, queasy.

Hutch adds a tip and signs.

I’m still disoriented when Sofie and Hutch hurry over to the big table in the corner where a family is just leaving.

“Something wrong?” Sheldon asks, spooking me so badly that I practically jump out of my skin. There’s the trace of a scent on him—does he vape? I try not to wrinkle my nose, but the ashy vanilla smell doesn’t help my unsettled stomach .

“No.” I force a smile. “They’ll bring our order in just a few minutes.”

“Awesome,” he says, rubbing his belly.

At the table, we talk about everything but the wedding I ditched, like my friends don’t want to bring it up with Sheldon here. We’re also not exactly in a private space. Maybe I can talk to Ava and Sofie later, when we go to the house.

Our orders arrive with coffees served in my mugs. My heart swells with pride as my friends fuss over the glaze colors and the shapes, which I design to fit cradled in a person’s hands.

“Wait, you made these?” Sheldon shoots me a curious glance.

“I love the handle on mine,” Ava says with a soft grin. “It’s perfect.”

“So, Sheldon, do you think you’ll stick around for a few days?” Hutch bites into a powdered donut hole, the white sugar sticking to his upper lip.

“Maybe.” He licks his finger and presses it to the tissue paper for the crumbs. “I’m headed to Daytona. I got a job down there.”

“With race cars?” I ask. I’ve only been to Daytona once and that’s all I remember.

“No… kind of a related field, though.”

“Are you a mechanic like Sawyer?” Hutch asks, sipping from his coffee.

“Naw,” Sheldon replies.

“Tell us about the project today,” Ava asks Sofie.

Sofie is halfway through her rundown of the bathroom we’re going to help her paint and the tile Hutch has offered to redo in their entryway when Zach enters Glory Holes looking sharp in his uniform. His deep blue eyes zero in on Sofie and he hurries over.

“Hey!” She jumps up and gives him a quick hug while Hutch grabs a spare chair.

Zach releases Sofie. “I can’t stay.”

“Come on, one donut hole,” I say, and offer him one from my collection .

“Okay, twist my arm.” With a laugh, he pops it into his mouth.

“Hey, Sheldon,” Zach says, hooking one thumb on his toolbelt.

“Hey.” Sheldon flashes a smile. “Long time, brother.”

Zach’s eyes seem to sharpen. “Yeah.”

“You want me to gut that entryway or wait for you?” Hutch asks, pretending to crack his knuckles.

“Be my guest,” Zach replies. “I’ll be home to help this afternoon.”

“Sounds good.”

“I’ll walk you out,” Sofie says, and practically skips out the door after Zach.

Our group leaves shortly after, with Hutch asking Sheldon to go with him to the hardware store to pick up supplies while Sofie and Ava and I get started on the painting.

Inside Sawyer’s truck, all of us start talking at once. “What was that look between you and Hutch?” Sofie asks Ava just as I ask her, “Who’s pregnant?” and Ava asks me, “What’s wrong?”

Ava shoots Sofie a scowl. “What look?”

“Never mind.” Sofie bites her lip and her eyes brighten. “Neve is pregnant.”

I hug her. “A baby! That’s so exciting!”

Neve and Sofie’s brother Jesse have been inseparable since the night Neve nearly died two years ago and Sofie suffered an intense ordeal related to the crime ring Zach was trying to stop. Jesse stuck around instead of moving to L.A. so Sofie could finish college, and their family has grown stronger. Jesse included.

“Aw, you’re going to be an auntie!” Ava says.

Sofie smiles. “Yep. August.”

“She’ll make an even cuter bridesmaid with a bump,” Ava says.

“Right?” Sofie gives a little happy wiggle. “I’m really excited for them.”

“Are they going to get married?” I ask.

Sofie shrugs. “Taking things one day at a time is working for them.”

Ava cocks her head at me. “Your turn. What’s wrong?”

I huff a sigh and run my fingertips across the top of the steering wheel. “I think my family is retaliating.”

“What? How?” My friends ask.

My cell phone rings. The only person I want to talk to is Sawyer, but I doubt it’s him calling.

“It’s Birch,” Ava says, peeking at my phone screen.

“What do you mean by retaliating?” Sofie asks while the phone continues to ring. Finally, I reach into my purse and silence it.

I share the embarrassing moment at the register.

“Cards get denied all the time. It could be this wind.” Ava nods at the spindrift blowing across the truck’s hood.

“Or a glitch with your card,” Sofie says.

“Maybe, but I think… my family is sending me a message. They’re cutting me off.”