Page 101 of Lavender Lake
“You’re about to cry,” I said with a frown. “Why?”
“Because,” Hadley blubbered. “Dad’s home.”
Declan wrapped an arm around her, brought her to his chest, and placed a kiss on her head. “You’re okay.”
“Hormones,” Hadley sniffed.
“Well, I’m hungry,” Muddy said as she shot Hadley a sympathetic smile. “What about you, Salem?”
I shook my head. “I think I need to go for a drive.”
Jane was moving in.
And I didn’t expect her to move out.
I went down the stairs and into the kitchen. Cas was getting plates out of the cabinet and setting them on the counter.
“How’s he doing?” Cas asked.
“Sleepy.”
My sister and her fiancé came into the kitchen behind me, along with Muddy.
“See ya later,” I said.
I took my father’s truck keys and headed out.
My feet dangled in the cool water of the lake. Unfortunately, it was doing nothing to cool my anger.
I’d been off-kilter since Cas and I had talked in the barn loft the other night. I felt rearranged, like parts of me no longer fit where they should.
The sound of footsteps along the path had me frowning. I wanted to be alone, and I’d purposefully walked halfway around the public lake to a secluded spot so I wouldn’t be disturbed.
But now a stranger out for a late afternoon stroll would intrude on my serenity.
I turned to see who approached and my mouth gaped. “What are you doing here?”
Cas came to stand next to me. “Mind if I sit?”
I shrugged.
“What a warm welcome,” he joked as he settled himself beside me on the bank. “Though I hardly blame you for your attitude. I knew you wanted to be alone.”
“I did. I do.” I picked up a pebble and tossed it into the lake. The water rippled, but a few moments later it smoothed out. Once again, the surface was placid.
We sat in silence, but Cas didn’t try to get me to talk. I hated that I found his presence a comfort.
“Why is it called Lavender Lake?” he asked. “I don’t see any lavender.”
“The sunset,” I said. “The sky turns lavender during the summer evenings and the light reflects off the water.”
“Are we going to sit here until sunset?”
“No. It won’t be dark for hours.”
“I know. But if you wanted to sit here for hours, I’d sit with you.”
I swallowed hard and tears threatened to burst from me. “How did you know I was here?”
