Page 18 of Beautifully Broken Control

I nodded. “I gotta get back to the resort, but let’s grab a drink tomorrow. Hopefully, we’ll be celebrating my closing on that property.”

Walker grinned. “I hope it works out. Shoot me a text tomorrow, and we’ll figure out a time.”

“Sounds good.” I beeped my locks and opened my door, but paused before I climbed in. “Walker?” He paused in his trek back to the ranch house, turning to face me. “I’m happy for you.” The words made a burn take flight in my chest.

The smile that spread across his face was one that could only belong to a man who was a total goner for his woman. “Thanks, Cain. You’ll—” He cut himself off before he could finish the sentence. He knew better than to tell me that I’d find that. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“I am, too.” I gave a jerk of my chin and climbed into my SUV. The drive back to the resort I was staying at a few miles outside of town was quiet. Only the sounds of gravel under my tires to keep me company.

Gravel turned to pavement as I pulled into the resort. I hopped out of my Rover, leaving the door open for the valet. I ignored any polite smiles from fellow guests and staff as I headed straight for my suite.

The familiar itch at the back of my brain was back. Something that said I needed to know more about the girl from dinner. I slipped my keycard into the lock, fingers drumming against my thigh as I waited for the light to turn green. I pushed open the door and headed straight for the safe. Keying in the code, I removed my laptop.

I strode to the desk, setting my computer down and settling into the chair. I opened the laptop, typing in my security codes. I launched a browser and got to work. An hour went by in record time. An hour, and almost nothing to show for it.

I stared at the image on my screen. Auburn hair, freckles dusting the tops of her cheeks and nose, creamy white complexion below, and startling green eyes. There was no denying she was beautiful. Beautiful in a way that would stop a man in his tracks and make him do a whole lot of stupid shit just to get her to turn that smile his way.

But there was also no denying that she was a ghost. The only photo I could find of her was the one on her driver’s license. Other than that one single piece of ID, the woman didn’t exist. No bank account. No credit cards. No lease. No car.

There was nothing else, good or bad, that I could find. Anywhere. While some would say that was a good thing, I knew the truth. It was nothing but bad. People didn’t erase a life unless they had something to hide.

One dinner and I knew my friends were taken by her. It was no surprise. Sarah and Jensen had the most tender hearts of anyone I knew. They were forever rescuing strays, both animal and human. Hell, that’s why I was there, wasn’t it?

But they often didn’t think about the risks involved. Walker used to be good about checking that stuff out, but it seemed Taylor had softened him, made him just a touch less cynical about the world. I was happy for my brother, but it just meant that I needed to look out for the friends in my life who were more like family.

And that’s just what I’d do.

* * *

I glancedup at the sign that readThe Tea Kettleas I headed up the stone walk to Jensen’s tea shop. She’d done a great job with the place, and it looked better than ever. It wasn’t my taste, but I knew plenty of people who loved that shabby chic, mismatched look, and she’d created that in spades. Worn, wooden tables with an array of chairs in all shapes and sizes. Different jars holding mixed wildflowers dotted the tables, and all sorts of knickknacks decorated the walls. A bell jingled as I pushed open the door, and my gaze zeroed in on the woman behind the counter.

Mid-morning sunlight kissed her hair, making the red in the strands appear that much more vibrant. And that russet tone seemed to make the green in her eyes glow. I gave my head a little shake. “Good morning.”

Kennedy startled a bit at my voice, apparently lost in thought as she placed scones in the bakery case. She straightened, licking her bow-shaped lips. “Morning. What can I get you?”

I looked up at the chalkboard above Kennedy’s head. Jensen had added to the menu. “I’ll take the breakfast sandwich with bacon.”

Kennedy jotted that down on a notepad. “Anything to drink?”

“Do you have orange juice?”

She nodded. “Let me just run this back to the kitchen, and then I’ll ring you up.” She disappeared before I could agree or not.

“Coming right up, bigshot,” Jensen called from the kitchen.

I chuckled. “Thanks, Little J.”

Kennedy emerged from the back, wiping her hands on her apron. I studied her as she hit a few keys on the register. “That’ll be eleven fifty.”

I pulled a twenty out of my wallet and handed it to her. “Keep the change.”

She scowled at the bill. “That’s too much.”

My focus on her narrowed. What game was she playing? “Shouldn’t I be the one to decide what sort of tip is warranted? I am the customer, after all.”

Kennedy’s mouth pressed into a firm line before she spoke. “Of course. I’ll bring your meal out to you as soon as it’s ready.” She ducked down to pull an orange juice out of the fridge. “Here’s your juice.” She set it on the counter instead of handing it to me.

“Thank you.” I stayed near the register. “So, how long have you lived in Sutter Lake?”

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