Falling Like Snowflakes (22 page)

“I didn't think of it like that.”

“Well, maybe you should.”

Beau blew out a noisy breath. Any way he went here, it wouldn't be good. But Riley knew Paige better than anyone. Besides, the thought of her suffering alone was like a kick in the gut. Maybe Riley was right. He wasn't gone yet. She'd still have someone. For a couple days. And he wouldn't have to pretend anymore.

He frowned, the thought of hurting Paige hitting him like a sucker punch. When had he become a Class A jerk?

Chapter 23

B
eau waited in the parking lot of Perfect Paws for Paige's meeting to end. He'd ridden the sled home and driven his truck back. After a while the front door opened and a few people trickled out. Five minutes later Paige appeared, turning to lock up the building.

Her eyebrows shot up when she spotted his truck, but her expression shifted as she walked over and got in. “I didn't expect to see you again tonight.”

“How was your meeting?”

“Long and boring. You been waiting awhile?”

“Not really.”

Her house was a short drive away, but it seemed like an eternity with the overwhelming silence. Beau's mind turned with words and explanations. Dread bloomed inside as he pulled into her drive. He wished he could fast-forward time a couple hours.

Once inside, Paige turned on the lights and hung her coat on the hook. Dasher appeared, wrapping around Paige's legs until she picked him up.

A guarded look he hadn't seen before shadowed her eyes. “I'd
ask if you want something to drink, but I have a feeling you won't be here long.”

He guessed his feelings hadn't been as inconspicuous as he'd hoped. His smile felt stiff and unnatural. “Let's sit down.”

“I'd rather stand if it's all the same to you.”

“Paige . . .”

“You didn't come back to drive me two blocks, Beau. Just say it.”

He'd spent the time in his truck figuring out how to do exactly that. But for the life of him, he couldn't recall all those words that were supposed to make this easier on her. Maybe there weren't any.

She cocked a brow, her elfin chin lifting a notch.

“You know I care about you, Paige. I always have, and I always will.”

Her face was set in stone. No emotions flickered in her pretty blue eyes. “But . . .,” she prompted.

He hated that she was way over there, that he couldn't hold her hand or somehow soften this.

“Can we just sit down?”

“Go ahead.”

He sighed. He was beginning to realize it didn't matter whether they stood or sat or what words he used. This was going to sting.

“Paige, I don't—I don't think this is going to work. You and me. Things haven't felt right for a while now. I don't know if you've noticed . . .”

Her lips tightened.

Tension tightened between them like a line pulled taut. A long, awkward pause tweaked at the line.

“I think maybe it's time to part ways. I'm sorry if this seems sudden. The last thing I want is to hurt you, and I don't want to lose you as a friend, Paige. I mean that. You're like part of the family.”

“Is it because of Kate?”

She wasn't pulling any punches. He had to be honest. He owed her that much.

“Yes and no. Nothing's happened, if that's what you're asking. There's no chance of a future there. This is a pit stop for her. But I'm having some feelings I shouldn't be having if things were . . .” He shrugged away the last few words.

“If you loved me.” Her eyes turned glassy, and she shifted her gaze to the floor.

Crap. He hated this. “I'm really sorry, Paige. I didn't mean for this to happen.”

Her chin quivered, and she bit her lip.

Aw, jeez.
He stepped forward, arms out. “Can I give you a hug?”

She stepped away, one palm up. “No, Beau. I just—I need you to go.”

“I don't want to leave you like this. Let's just sit down and—”

“I want you to
go
.” Her eyes flashed. Her shoulders were stiff, her jaw set. “
Please.
”

He looked at her for one long, helpless minute, then he grabbed his coat off the hook. He turned at the door to find her studying the floor, arms curled tight around Dasher.

“I'm really sorry, Paige.”

Eden closed
Goodnight Moon
and tucked the blanket around Micah. She gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Night-night, kiddo.”

“Night.”

The simple word pulled at the corners of her lips. He'd said it the past few nights. He'd even said “Mommy” when she'd gotten
home tonight. It was the sweetest word she'd ever heard. Finally he was speaking again. One day soon he'd laugh, and his eyes would sparkle.

He must have worn out Miss Trudy because she'd turned in soon after they'd returned with the sleds. Beau had left again in his truck, and Eden had played a few rounds of Go Fish with Micah before his bath.

She flipped the light switch and headed downstairs, stopping in the kitchen for a glass of water. Her muscles ached from the fall, and the scrape on her wrist burned a bit. It could have been a lot worse, though.

She found Riley in the dark living room, the flickering light of the TV his only company. He stared at the screen, but she suspected he wasn't even seeing the football highlights. He didn't notice her appearance until she settled on the opposite end of the sofa.

“Hey. How's your wrist?”

She held it up. “Hardly hurts.”

“I'm sorry if I was going too fast.”

“You weren't. I had fun. I learned my lesson about letting go.”

“Have you ever gone four-wheeling? It's less cold but a lot dirtier.”

“I've never done anything like that before.” He'd let her drive on the way home. She'd gone a lot slower than he had, but it was fun to have control of the rumbling machine.

“My dad was super protective. I wasn't even allowed to ride roller coasters.”

“Seriously?”

She shrugged. She wondered what her dad was doing right now. She hoped he was okay. That he wasn't worried sick for her. She hated that she couldn't put his mind at ease.

Please, God. Keep him safe, and let him know we're all right.

Riley held out the remote. “Change the channel?”

A reporter was interviewing a football player, the volume barely audible. “No thanks. You getting excited about boot camp?”

He sighed. “Sure.”

“You don't sound excited.”

The light flickered as the program went to a commercial. He set the remote on the table. “The timing couldn't be worse.”

She wasn't sure what he meant but didn't want to pry. If he wanted to explain, he would.

They watched a commercial, then another in silence. She wondered where Beau had gone. It had been a few hours since he'd left. She hoped his disappearance didn't have anything to do with the tension between him and Riley.

Riley's phone buzzed on the end table, and he checked the screen and answered the phone. “Hey.” There was silence for a few seconds. “I'm sorry, honey.” She'd never heard those tender notes in his voice.

He ran his hand over his face as he listened for a minute or so. “Sure. No, of course not. I'll be right there.”

He was already on his feet by the time he hung up.

His countenance shifted once he'd pocketed his phone. He stabbed his hands into his coat and jerked his boots on, his eyes tight and flinty.

“Everything okay?”

Riley snatched his keys off the table. “When my brother gets back, tell him he's a real jerk.” A moment later the door slammed shut.

They spent the last evening before Riley's departure at the Roadhouse. Riley convinced Eden to come along, and since it was his last night, she agreed.

The place had grown on her. It had a friendly, casual vibe. The wall of windows provided a beautiful view of the rugged coastline, and the wooden walls and comfy booths made it feel homey. The back wall, lined with old license plates from virtually every state in the Union, gave the Roadhouse an eclectic feel. She imagined the big deck overlooking the ocean was pretty popular in the summer.

Miss Trudy had elected to stay home, insisting she could take care of herself for a few hours, and Paige's absence was notable. Eden wasn't about to ask where she was. The tension between Beau and Riley was palpable.

Laughter sounded from the poolroom where Micah grappled with a pool stick twice his size.

Eden pushed her plate away and sat back in the booth. She'd eaten her share of wings and curly fries. Conversation had petered out. It had been mostly her and Zac keeping it going, but he'd gone to the kitchen a few minutes ago. An awkward pause had settled over the table.

She was relieved when Beau excused himself. She watched him walk toward the poolroom with that fluid stride of his. Micah was lining up a shot, and when he pulled his pool stick back, Beau grabbed it. Her son turned and smiled. Beau ruffled his hair.

“You know you've got him all twisted up inside.”

Her eyes darted to Riley. “What?”

“You can't be surprised. You have to notice the way he looks at you.”

Her pulse fluttered even as she called herself all kinds of stupid. She licked her lips. “He's with Paige.”

“Not anymore.”

She blinked, her mind reviewing the past twenty-four hours. Beau's disappearance last night, the phone call to Riley, Paige's absence tonight.

She couldn't be the reason for the breakup . . . could she? As attracted as she was to Beau, there was no chance of a relationship, and she wasn't into casual flings. She was sure he wasn't either.

Across from her, Riley shifted. He had a napkin knotted in his hand, and he was aiming a dark look at Beau's back. She suddenly realized what all this meant. Riley had enlisted to escape the torture of his brother's relationship with Paige. Now, on the eve of his departure, that relationship was over.

“Oh, Riley. I'm so sorry.”

He shot a wry smile her way. “Yeah, great timing, huh?”

She thought of Paige, and guilt pricked hard. “Is Paige okay?”

He lifted a muscular shoulder. “Her heart's broken, you know? She knew something wasn't right, but she thought it would pass.”

It would pass . . . or it would leave town? Paige was no dummy. If Riley had picked up on Beau's interest in her, surely Paige had too.

“I feel like this is all my fault.”

Riley's face softened. “Beau knows nothing can come of his feelings for you.”

“Feelings?”

He lifted a brow. “What did you think was behind those pathetic looks?”

She guessed she hadn't thought that far. Hadn't dug that deep. A panicked feeling swept over her, making her breaths go shallow. She couldn't let anything come of this. Even if she weren't leaving, she didn't want a man. Love was for the birds.

“I'm really sorry all this has happened. I feel responsible.”

“I only wish you'd come along a few months ago. How's that for selfish?” He glowered at Beau. “It's not your fault, though.”

She took in the vulnerability in Riley's green eyes, and her heart squeezed. Not only was the woman he loved heartbroken over his brother, but he was also leaving, unable to be there for her. “What are you going to do about Paige?”

His eyes swung to hers. “What can I do?”

He was leaving tomorrow, and he'd be gone for a long time. She wondered if Paige would be married to someone else by the time he'd served his stint.

Fate could be cruel. Eden knew that all too well.

Chapter 24

T
he family piled out of Aunt Trudy's Ford Explorer. Zac helped their aunt while Beau lifted the hatchback and reached for Riley's duffel bag.

“I got it,” Riley said.

The tension between them had eased only a little since their argument. Riley had spent a lot of time with Paige. She'd elected to say her good-byes last night rather than coming with them today. Beau still felt awful, like he'd let them both down. It wasn't a feeling he wanted to get used to.