Page 28 of Tender Heart
She drops down beside me, bringing that damn scent of hers that floods in around me. Soft brown eyes study my face as she offers a small smile.
It’s going to be the longest few hours I’ve endured since forever.
Hurry the hell up, Emmett.
Nine
EVIE
Killing time has never been so freeing. No idea why I blurted out ‘my husband died’ to Callum. I rarely talk about Joshua, unless it’s with my family or Allie. And even then, I try to keep my emotions in check. But something about being on this boat in the middle of the wide blue ocean has cracked my heart open. It’s a relief to finally say it and not need to relive the entire experience.
Callum listened; he didn’t push. Didn’t ask for details. It’s almost as if he’s been there and understands how much it hurts to have to keep repeating the worst moment of your life. That right there is another chink in my armor of staying indifferent to the man who’s given me his home, fed me, taxied me back and forth, and kept me warm with a constant stream of firewood in the last few colder days.
I force the memory of him naked in my bed from my mind.
The sun is starting to set when we sit on the deck, backs against the port side of the gunwale. This old tuna trawler is simple, but it’s sturdy. Engine troubles aside, it’s been reliable over the last few months. As we wait, we exchange childhood stories and details about our families. I now know howimportant Iris is to him. His parents are no longer here, but it sounds like they had a great relationship before.
Similar to me and mine, I guess.
Although my parents are still alive. Living their best life in the city. I also learned he is almost eighteen years older than me, has had one serious relationship, and that he and Emmett have been friends since high school. My back aches and I stretch, arms over my head. I turn on my seat and lay on the deck. The pain in my lower spine fades instantly. I moan as the release sinks into my muscles.
Callum stares straight ahead, his throat working.
Eventually his gaze lowers to wander over my outstretched body. His throat bobs again, and I train my attention to the pink and orange sky. It’s brilliant. “You should see this, Callum. It’s incredible.”
I’m sure he’s seen it many times before. The wonder is probably lost on him. But when he groans and moves beside me, laying down, I smile.
“Which color do you like best, the pink that keeps getting lighter, or the orange that is set on turning gold?” he asks.
“Can I say both?”
“You can make whatever choice you want.”
I chuckle and glance at him. “Both. I choose both.”
“Rebel.”
His face breaks into a grin, the blue of his eyes lighting up. It takes everything I have to stop myself from letting my fingers wander to his jaw, over the short-kept beard, his mustache. What would his lips feel like under my fingertips? This softness about him is new. And I wonder if opening up about my life is the reason. I turn onto my side to face him, sliding my hands under my head. I take him in for the next moment. Then the one after that.
His eyes don’t move from the colorful sky, but his hands drop to his sides, mere inches from me. I swear his nostrils flare as he says, “Em should be here any second.”
Like some freak telepathic event, the drone of another engine fades into range. The sinking feeling of disappointment is heavy in my gut. On an inhale that’s sharper than the last, I clear my head by slamming my eyes shut, reminding myself of my reality.
I’m here to work. To get the slip on my stalker.
The torment-free weeks have been bliss. The fact that I’m literally isolated from the rest of the world has let me relax for the first time in I don’t know how long. No more looking over my shoulder. Making sure I’m always with someone else, mostly Allie.
Callum pushes to his feet, and I make my way up to mine in twice the time.
A huge Coast Guard vessel adorned with an abundance of equipment of all sorts peters to a low growl as it closes in on us. The man behind the wheel sends her sideways before tossing a rope over. One that Callum catches and ties off onto a double-ended lug-type thing. The two boats bob on the water, now side by side. Emmett, I assume—I didn’t pay much attention to him when I first arrived—leaves his boat idling as he boards Firefly.
“Cal.” His arms have Callum in a man hug a second later.
“Hey, bud. She just crapped out.”
The Coast Guard officer slides his beanie from his head with a nod to me. “Miss Eve.”
I chuckle at his formality. “Hi, Emmett.”
