“I don’t want to impose, Gavin.” Sutton crosses her arms over her chest and stares me down.
“Not imposing. I invited you. Adult conversation will do me good.”
Sutton giggles and shakes her head. “Fine, but do you have an extra rod? I don’t exactly have things here.”
Nodding, I smirk. “Abbie has one you can borrow. We’ll grab her fishing wader, too.”
After agreeing to go with me, I call Abbie while Sutton orders her coffee and ask if we could borrow her things. She squeals into my ear and then murmurs an I’m sorry before saying we can go over to grab whatever we need. Knowing her, she’s already planning double dates based on a mostly platonic fishing day.
With an awkward hello when Abbie skips out of her house to deliver the rod and wader, Sutton and I drive toward Arrowhead River. I know I’ll be getting the fifth degree from Abbie tomorrow when she’s sure I’m alone, but the twinkle in her eye and the bright smile were obvious indicators that it made her happy to see me do this with Sutton.
For as long as I can remember, Abbie has had my back, like an older sister would. Being only two years younger than her, I’ve also been protective of her. I wouldn’t have it any other way. She’s always been there for me, and besides being family, she’s also my best friend. If there’s anyone I can trust, it’s Abbie, and I know she’ll always have my best interest at heart.
“You said it had been a while since you’ve gone fishing, but exactly how much experience do you have?” I tilt my head and ask Sutton as we step out of my truck.
“Oh, well…” Sutton blinks up at me. “My daddy always baits my hook and removes the fish I catch because they’re slimy and move a lot.”
“Huh.” I scratch my beard as I stare at her, thinking of how to respond.
Sutton drops her head back in a loud guffaw, clutching her stomach. “You believed me,” she snorts. “Let it not be forgotten, cowboy, I’m a country girl through and through. Ranch work, fishin’, huntin’. Hell, I even clean the guts myself. You did get live bait, right?” Her southern drawl is heavy.
She arches a brow and places her hands on her hips, cocking to the side. Her chest still shakes with laughter as she moves her head from side to side. Wiping under her eyes, Sutton looks at me with amusement. She taps the brim of my cap and saunters over to the bed of my truck.
I stare as she sways her hips, wondering what the hell I got myself into by inviting her to fish with me. I’m pretty sure Sutton is going to prove me wrong on many levels, beginning with the idea that once a broken-hearted man, always a broken-hearted man.
I shake away my daze and meet her at the back of my truck, pulling down the bucket full of water and minnows for bait and the rods followed by the cooler. Sutton holds the fishing waders as she waits for instructions.
We stand on the edge of the river in ankle-deep water. Silence fell between us after her outburst, and now we remain quiet as we focus on our task of casting lines into the river. I’m impressed by her ability to hook bait and get her hands dirty.
The sun shines down on us despite the chill in the air. Enclosed in a valley of rocky mountains and boulders that loom over us, the breeze moves through us, and the mountains near the riverbed keep this area of the river more secluded. The swooshing sound of the water is the only noise we hear.
“Tell me about your rough morning,” I break through the silence.
Sutton looks over at me with a frown. “Ugh, I’d almost forgotten all about it,” she sighs.
After a beat, she explains, “Long story short, I got fraud on my debit card, and someone went for a joyride. I called the bank this morning as soon as I realized it, but since it’s Sunday, they could freeze all the transactions, but it will take a couple of days for the money to return to my account. Not to mention, I have bills withdrawn automatically tomorrow, and those companies weren’t open to let them know about my situation. It’s a shit show.”
“I’m sure it will all get worked out.” I look at her eyes, the hazel gloomier as she speaks.
“Yeah, that’s what the bank said. I’m not the first or last person this happens to.” She shrugs and looks out into the river. “Fortunately, Averly was understanding and is going to hold off on charging my stay at the bed and breakfast until it’s all resolved.”
“Oh, you’re leaving back to Nashville?” I could’ve sworn she said she was moving to Everton.
“No.” When she looks back at me, a softness in her gaze moves over me until it locks with my eyes. “I’m renting the guest house, so I need to pay for my stay as a bed and breakfast guest, then give her a security deposit and first month’s rent. It sounds more complicated than it is.”
“You’re renting the guest house?” I furrow my eyebrows. Now I understand why she had met with Averly yesterday before Penny and I ran into her.
“Yes,” Sutton smiles. “I pitched the idea to Averly, and we were able to work something out. I’ve heard real estate in Everton is tricky to find, so I figured I’d go straight for the best idea I could come up with.”
“That’s great,” I nod. Sutton living in Everton—that thought brings a smile to my face.
Silence falls between us again, but this time it’s comforting as we both focus on our line and any bites. I
