Page 48 of Wild Lies

Focusing on pouring a cup of coffee, I put the stress seeping into my body to the back of my mind. I’m not going to have that conversation until I’ve spoken to Maddie and know what she’s looking for in a photographer.

I locate the creamer, and when I return to my mug, there’s a small container of sugar waiting for me. I’ve been so in my own head that I didn’t even notice him putting it there. “Do you want a cup?” I ask, pushing down the emotion that clogs my throat.

Kade shakes his head, stirring the eggs on the stove. “Nah, I’m not done with this one.” He holds up a mug, taking a sip before returning it to the counter.

With my coffee in hand, I take a seat at the kitchen island, watching him move around the room with ease. Would this be what our mornings would look like if I lived here? Not necessarily in this house—it’s far too soon to be living together, even if I do stay in Coldwater. But if I was to stay over, would this be a regular occurrence?

What would this thing between us look like if I didn’t leave?

As it stands, there’s nobody for us to pretend for now. All my family have left. And yet here I am, in his kitchen, wearing his T-shirt, having slept in his bed. That has to mean something, right?

Unaware of my thoughts, Kade cuts through the beam of sunlight that I’ve been staring at as he places a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon and toast in front of me. My stomach gurgles as the smell fills my nostrils. I may have been too excited taking pictures to remember to grab food last night.

Picking up a piece of bacon, I take a bite, moaning as the saltiness explodes on my tongue.

Sliding onto the stool beside me, he picks up his fork, shoveling the eggs onto it before leaving it to hover mid-air as he asks, “What do you have planned for your last couple of days?”

I finish the mouthful of eggs I scooped up while he was sitting down before responding, “I was hoping to go out to Yellowstone tomorrow, but today I’m meeting with Maddie and then I want to have a last look around town, and if I’ve got time, maybe see what activities they have at the Hartlands’ ranch.”

He nods, like he’s thinking of something. “I’ve got to do some jobs around the ranch tomorrow morning, but we could head out around eleven?”

“We?” I tease, the weight of needing to define us lifting from my chest.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have assumed.” He places his fork on the side of his plate and takes a sip of his coffee before continuing, “I bet you’ve had enough of me.”

Enough of him?

He says it so lightheartedly, but I still catch the undercurrent of uncertainty. Twisting on my stool, I set my elbow on the counter before resting my head on my fist. “I don’t think I could ever have enough of you, Kade.”

We stare at each other for a beat, the air between us swirling with the tension from all the unspoken words. Kade taps his thumb against his mug as I pull in a deep breath, my chest expanding. I don’t think either of us wants to ruin this or put pressure on the other for an answer as to what our future looks like.

Perhaps I’m a coward, but I give him a soft smile and say, “Eleven sounds great,” before turning my attention back to my breakfast. It seems I need to gather up some courage before I put my heart on the line.

29

CHLOE

The bell rings above the door, announcing me as I walk into Chapters and Crumbs. I’ve been meaning to come in since I arrived in town but haven’t found the time. The place is just how I pictured it. It’s cozy and has a welcoming lightness to it. The scent of freshly ground coffee and sugar wraps around me like a warm hug.

My attention jumps around the room, taking in every detail. Three wooden bookshelves line the wall to the left as you enter. They’re stacked with a mix of old and well-read books and crisp new spines. The sign fixed to the wall above the shelves tells you to take a book to enjoy with your order, and for a moment, I picture myself doing just that.

The counter on the opposite side of the room, with its glass display, is filled with what looks like homemade pastries and cakes. I’m kicking myself for not having been in before today and taking full advantage of the delicious-looking treats. At the back of the room, where two oversized armchairs sit, is an exposed brick wall covered in black and white framed photos. I squint, trying to make out what they’re of before deciding to get a better look before I leave.

A woman with long, flowing chestnut brown hair stands behind the counter, chatting to a customer as she finishes up their order. I zigzag my way across the room, heading for the display, eyeing up the treats and deciding which one to have as I wait to be served. Maddie isn’t here yet, so I’ll grab a drink and get myself organized. Maybe the butterflies that have been fluttering in my stomach all morning will go when I’m settled. A lot is riding on this meeting and I have no clue what to expect. When their order is complete, the customer ahead of me picks up their items and turns to leave. I step up to the counter, still deciding which of the pastries is going to be my mid-morning snack. They look almost too good to eat. Almost.

“What can I get you?” the woman behind the counter asks, her features soft as she patiently waits for me to answer.

“I’ll have a coffee and one of the blueberry pastries,” I reply, digging my teeth into my bottom lip as I stare longingly at the display case.

“You know, you can have more than one. It’s called free will and having at least two pastries a day is the best use of it.”

I drag my gaze away from the sweet treats and grin at her. “I couldn’t agree more, but my waistline would not thank me for it, so I’ll have to get the other one I’m eyeing up next time.”

The woman busies herself with making my drink before asking, “Are you in town for long?”

I lift a shoulder, unsure how to answer. “Honestly, I don’t know. I was supposed to be leaving on Tuesday, but I’m having a meeting with Maddie from the Hartlands’ ranch about some work.”

The woman raises a brow. “What sort of work do you do?”