Page 16 of Call it Reckless

“She’d be an excellent teacher.”

“How’d you two meet, anyway?”

I shifted in my seat and leaned forward to rest my forearms on the table, bowing my head over my clasped fingers.

“Reid?” Her voice was as soft as the hand that reached across to rest on top of mine. “Did I ask something wrong? If you have some kind of lingering feelings for her, you have to know she’s completely in love with Zach.”

I snorted. “I’m very aware of that. And I assure you, Em and I are just friends. That’s all we’ve ever been.”

“So, what’s the story?”

I cleared my throat. Even after all these years, it was still hard to tell the story. “My wife, Abby, was one of the victims in the same shooting Raelyn Dawson was part of.”

She jerked in her seat. “Oh, god, Reid.Was?”

“She died.”

She slunk further into her seat. “And I thought you were a jerk by constantly breaking into my house. It turns out I’m the real asshole, pushing my nose where it doesn’t belong. I should have known since I was at the hospital back then, but I was focused on Mama Rae, and then I had to go back to school. Em doesn’t talk much about those days.”

“You didn’t know.”

“I really am sorry, Reid, for all you went through. I can’t even begin to imagine.”

“Can’t you? You just lost your dad in a tragedy after your own accident. And your grandparents before then.”

Her frown deepened. “It’s not the same as losing a spouse.”

“No, but it’s still a loss. I know you were very close to all of them.”

“I was. But still…”

I chuckled. “It’s not a competition, Bristol,” I said, making her snicker. “Em and I bonded over the experience. I was too caught up in my grief and trying to survive as a single parent to have any attraction other than friendship for her. And after Iain was born, we had the single parenting thing in common. We helped each other. And when Zach came along, it was easy to see how the two of them belonged together. I consider him a good friend now, too.”

“Single parent?”

“I have a nine-going-on-twenty-year-old daughter, Lexi.”

I watched her absorb the information. “I’m glad you and Em had each other. And I apologize again. I sometimes tend to be a bit brash.” She held up her thumb and index finger close together. “And I might be a teeny, tiny bit competitive at times.” She smiled wryly. “Although, not usually over something so morbid.”

“Maybe we should start again.”

“What do you mean?”

I stood and stretched my hand across the table. “Hi. Welcome to Sterling Mill. I’m Reid Braxton, and I’m a deputy sheriff. I’m sometimes accused of having a hero complex, although I’m working on it.”

She grinned and stood, accepting my hand and giving it a firm shake. “I’m Bristol Allen, co-owner of the new Head to Tow Salon and Garage. Sometimes I’m accused of being a little stubborn, but I’m not looking to change.” She winked.

That wink was like Morse code, sending a direct message to my cock. It was disconcerting, given I’d just been discussing my wife’s death. What was it about this admittedly brash and stubborn woman that pushed buttons that had long since gone unpushed? This was not the kind of woman I needed to be involved with. Not the type to smooth my rough edges or soften my crudeness when I was around the guys too long.

I drained my coffee cup. “I should get going. I need to be home when Lexi gets home. She’s been at her grandparent’s house.”

“Oh, of course.”

I felt like a dick at the confusion I heard in her voice at the sudden change of direction. But it was best I remembered where I was really needed. And that was at my real home, not my dream home.

CHAPTERFIVE

Bristol

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