Page 58 of Show Me How
“What happened before?” Millie asks, twisting in the booth and focusing on me.
“It’s not our story to tell,” I answer pointedly, hoping Lacey picks up on that fact. “Just don’t judge Rowe for what happened, especially when Tilly isn’t here to tell her side of the story.”
Millie searches my face for something before asking, “Is he still in prison?”
“No. He’s served his time.”
Lacey keeps quiet now, and when I look at her, I see her frown for what it is: shame for gossiping. We don’t know each other that well, but I do know she isn’t someone to spread shitaround town about anyone. Millie has a way of opening everyone up in a way they’re not used to, so who am I to blame her for falling victim in the same way I have?
“Everyone whispers about it. Don’t feel guilty,” I tell her.
She tries for a smile, but it falls short. “You’re right. Tilly isn’t here to explain her side, and I’m not about to ask Rowe for his.”
“Don’t blame you for that. He’s a cruel motherfucker now, but I can’t say we should have expected any different,” I say.
“Are you two friends?” Millie asks.
“Yeah, we’re friends. I’ve known him and Ash since we were in diapers. I don’t see a lot of him anymore, though. He and Ash are close. He only comes around to see me when he wants to get something inked.”
Otherwise, he’s held up at Painted Sky. His family ranch is along the highway leading to the campground, but I haven’t stepped foot there in over a decade. Not since before Rowe got locked up. I don’t know how the hell he’s been living back there, considering the way his family cut ties with him. Blood doesn’t turn its back on blood, but his did.
The only explanation I have is that since he’s been back on the bronc-riding shit, they’re looking for an extra payday. Once he gets back in the circuit, he’ll be competing the way he was before everything went to hell.
“I won’t judge him until I meet him,” Millie declares, relaxing back into her seat. “It’s only fair.”
Lacey exhales. “I should do the same. It’s been years.”
“He’d appreciate that,” I say.
There’s a soft clearing of a throat from beside me that puts an end to the conversation. The waitress, wearing the typical frilly apron that Maggie loves so much, smiles at us before introducing herself. I sit back in silence while Lacey orders her breakfast and then listen closely while Millie does the same.
“I’ll do the french toast with a side of scrambled eggs, please. And another coffee.”
With a squeeze of her shoulder, I order the same thing. It’s a struggle to keep from teasing her about her order, but I’m having too great a morning to risk pissing her off already.
Not before getting her alone again, at least. Because once I do, I’m not leaving again until we’ve gotten to the bottom of what’s been eating her up. Hopefully, that will mean I’ve shared my list with her, and we can get started on it sooner rather than later.
Millie isn’t going to stay here for long, and I refuse to miss any more days waiting for her to come to me.
17
MILLIE
“Have you been in a kayak before?”Shade asks, running his palm along the curve of a blue one hung on a wooden rack by the water.
“No. I used to paddleboard sometimes, though.”
“You’ve got me there. I’d sink one of those.”
I give him a slow up-and-down look, cocking my head. “How’s your balance?”
“Shit.”
“Then, yeah, you’d probably sink it,” I agree.
“If it wasn’t supposed to snow this week, I’d come pop your kayaking cherry. But it’s too fucking cold now.”
His words are a reminder of how low the temperature has gotten in the week since I’ve been here. Even with my coat on, there’s a chill working its way into my bones. The wind scurrying over the top of the lake doesn’t help.
