Page 32 of My Return to the Walter Boys
Jennifer Clive, owner and operator of Caffeinated Pursuit, was a barista extraordinaire, game board enthusiast, and powerhouse of a woman distilled down into five energetic feet. Over the years, she’d become an important person in Lucy’s and my life, a fun aunt who taught me how to play chess and always plied us with whatever pastries she had on hand.
“Since I was six,” I confirmed. “She closed down the café and drove me to the hospital when my appendix burst.”
The man paused, then looked up at me with wide, assessing eyes. “I’m Garrett, Jenny’s cousin. I’m sorry if this is too personal, but are you Jackie?”
“Youknowwho I am?”
Garrett’s lips curved up. “You and your sister were Jenny’s favorite regulars.” The smile faded, and he added, “She was devastated when she heard of your family’s passing.”
Ignoring the stab of pain his comment caused, I racked my brain for memories of a handsome, older man related to Jenny but came up empty-handed. “I’m sorry if I don’t remember, but have we met before?”
“No, but you know how Jenny is. She can talk anybody’s ear off, soI heard all about you.” Garrett turned on the blender on, then raised his voice so I could hear him over the noise. “I was the head engineer for a NASCAR team for most of my career, so I spent my time on the road, not in the city.”
That seemed like the kind of job Cole would find fascinating. Maybe I could pick Garrett’s brain about it some other time, but I needed to hurry if I wanted to swing by the print shop and make it back to school before fifth period.
“Copper Valley is a long way from New York,” I said once he finished blending. “How’d you end up out here, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“This is where my wife grew up.” Garrett poured my frappé into a to-go cup, then drenched the top with caramel and whipped cream. “She wanted to move home once I retired, and I needed something to keep me busy, so Jenny suggested a franchise. Small town life takes some getting used to, but you can’t beat the scenery.”
In that moment, the world had never seemed smaller.
“I understand that feeling exactly,” I replied, pulling out my wallet as he slid my drink across the counter. “How much do I owe you?”
Garrett refused my outstretched card. “This one’s on the house. It was nice to meet you, Jackie. You’re welcome back anytime.”
***
The truck was missing from the parking lot when school let out Wednesday afternoon. At first, I thought the boys left me behind, butthen Alex turned up quickly, followed by Lee and Nathan. Isaac was the only no-show.
“Have you heard from your brother?” Alex asked Lee.
“No, why?”
Alex gestured as the empty spot where we parked this morning. “I thought it was obvious, but the truck is gone.”
Lee frowned. “Did you give him the keys?”
Since Danny left and Cole had his own car, the keys to the truck were passed down to the next Walter in line, which was Isaac. For the past week and a half, however, Alex had been driving us to and from school because Katherine revoked Isaac’s driving privileges as part of his punishment.
Alex flushed and scratched the back of his head. “Yeah, at lunch, but he said he’d be back before fifth period. I didn’t think he’d dip and leave us stranded.”
“Seriously, Alex?” Lee snapped. “You’re such a moron.”
“I’m sorry, okay? He wanted some Taco Bell. Who am I to stand between a man and his Crunchwrap Supreme?”
While Alex and Lee continued trading insults, Nathan pulled out his phone. “I’ll call Cole. Tony’s isn’t far.”
Ten minutes later, the Buick tore into the parking lot, windows rolled down and music blaring.
“Hurry up, kiddies,” Cole said in way of greeting. He was wearing his work coveralls, and there was a smear of grease on his forehead. “I’m burning my break for this.”
Not wanting to get stuck up front with him, I scrambled in behindNathan when he put down the passenger seat and climbed into the back. Once I buckled my seat belt and got comfortable, I looked up, caught Cole’s gaze in the rearview mirror, and realized my mistake. While sitting in the back put distance between us, it also placed Cole at the forefront of my field of view.As if he doesn’t already live in the front of my mind rent-free.The other boys settled into their seats as I silently cursed Isaac Walter.
Despite his demand that we be quick, Cole seemed at ease as he hummed along with the radio, his fingers drumming the rhythm of an unfamiliar song against the steering wheel. His sleeves were rolled up, and although I tried hard to resist, my gaze kept returning to his exposed forearms. He must have felt me watching, because his eyes found mine in the rearview mirror again.
My breath hitched. For the first time in over a week, Cole was regarding me with a look that could be considered something other than cold disdain. I wouldn’t go as far as to call it a positive expression—guarded was a better description—but there was a smug quality to the way his lips twitched. The tension in my shoulders loosened in relief; I could handle an arrogant Cole Walter. It was his factory setting, something I’d been dealing with from day one.
The drive was quiet by Walter standards, and I couldn’t tell if that was a factor in the building tension between Cole and myself as we stole glances at each other through the mirror.
