Page 31 of Caught Up In You (The Monroes 2)

“I didn’t mean to be nosy,” she told him.

“You’re fine. Everyone in town knows all about the saints who took in four unruly kids. If it weren’t for the Monroes, I have no clue where any of us would be. They put up with a lot of baggage.”

Cora smiled. “They sound like wonderful people. No wonder you all turned out so well.”

Braxton shifted on the blanket, his leg brushing hers as he repositioned. The silence stretched between them and Cora had so many questions, but what was appropriate to ask? Yes, she was his employee, but they were already so much more than something so formal.

“Did you grow up around here?” she asked.

“About an hour away,” he replied. “I came to the Monroes when I was nine after my mother was killed.”

Cora gasped. “Oh, Braxton, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”

In an instant, he flattened his hand across her thigh. Tremors shook her at the possessiveness of his grip, the warmth of his already familiar touch.

“You didn’t do anything,” he stated in that soft, reassuring tone of his. “The memories are always there. Every day I see what my life was, how it all turned, and how I ended up here.”

When he made no attempt to remove his hand, Cora resigned herself to the fact he wanted it there and she had to admit, she wasn’t ready to sever that simple touch. She was relaxing, enjoying the evening and learning more than she thought possible about her intriguing new boss.

“Is the sun setting?” she asked.

“It’s almost down.”

Sunsets had always been something she loved to look at, especially when she’d been out of the city. There was just something so peaceful about a sunset in the country. The way the orange and pink would spread across the horizon always calmed her. Of all the sunsets she’d missed seeing in the past three years, this one may be the one she longed to see most. To fully embrace this moment with Braxton would be . . . what? Romantic? She needed to omit romance from her mind.

“Describe what you see.” The words slipped out before she could fully think them through, but now that she’d laid out the request, she wanted to know what the world looked like through his eyes.

Braxton’s hand moved from her thigh and she wondered what he was doing until he scooted closer, his legs stretching beside the full length of her own, their shoulders completely touching. He leaned back on his hands. When his pinkie intertwined with hers, Cora couldn’t help but smile. There was something so refreshingly simple about Braxton. He may have been a bit of a player, but he clearly knew the game and maybe she was just ready for some fun. Flirty, friendly fun.

“The sky is orange and the reflection on the water is just as vibrant. There are a few ducks wading through the water. They like to swim around the dock Zach just built.”

“What color are the ducks?”

“Yellow.”

Cora sighed. “I bet they’re adorable.”

She could easily imagine little fuzzy ducks gliding across the water, making V-shaped images behind them.

“Is the pond large?” she asked, needing to get the full mental image of this beautiful land.

“It’s a pretty good size. Fairly deep, too.”

Cora closed her eyes, letting the picture flood her imagination. This property would be a huge draw for women who wanted to escape reality, who needed time away from the hustle and bustle life threw at them. The fact they were catering to overworked, tired women who needed a break from children, work, everyday responsibilities, was absolutely brilliant. Chelsea had definitely been onto something amazing.

“Do you swim?” Braxton asked, breaking into her thoughts.

“Not often. Back home I never had much time between work and . . . things.”

Since the accident, actually, but he didn’t need to know the details.

Juggling her parents’ demanding schedule, Eric’s need for trying to push forward with a wedding neither of them truly wanted, and her longing to break away, she’d not had much time for anything fun lately.

“Let’s jump in,” he suggested, and she knew from his tone he was smiling.

Cora stilled. “I didn’t bring my suit and there’s no way I’m skinny-dipping. Nice try, though.”

Braxton moved away. “Swim in your dress. We can throw this blanket in my car and sit on it to get home. I’m game if you are.”

---