His full glass of water still sat, untouched.
* * *
Rita’s Café was a cute little mom-and-pop diner on the main drag of Snow Creek, Colorado. I sat across the table from Marj. She had insisted on taking me out to breakfast my first full day in Snow Creek, treating me to what she called “the best coffee in the universe.” I was skeptical. I liked really strong coffee—really strong, as in it plops when it’s poured. Most restaurant coffee was hot brown water. I raised my cup to my lips and took a sip.
Yup. Brown water. But I didn’t have the heart to say so to Marj.
I drew in a deep breath, gathering my courage. I was going to ask Marj about her brother. I wouldn’t tell her about the stolen kiss last night, at least not yet. But something was up with Talon Steel, and Marj probably knew what it was.
“After we’re done here,” Marjorie said, “I’ll show you around Snow Creek. It’s the most adorable little town. There’s one law firm in town where you might be able to find work. And there’s always the city attorney’s office too.”
“I haven’t passed the bar yet,” I reminded her.
“For a genius like you, that’s just a formality. You know you’ll pass, Jade.”
I had felt pretty confident coming out of the test, but I’d also known people who felt just as confident or more so and hadn’t passed. “I hope so. Otherwise, I’ll have to wait another six months try again. But no worries. I can always get a job waiting tables or something while I study. I’m not going to be a burden on you guys.”
“Who says you’re a burden?”
Ah, good. The opening I was waiting for her. “Well, your brother, for one.”
“Talon? Why would he say such a thing?”
“He didn’t say those exact words. But while we were driving home yesterday, he mentioned that I was imposing.” Okay, so I fudged a little. He’d actually said I could drive one of their cars. I was the one who’d used the word imposing, and then he’d repeated it.
“I’m sure he was just kidding, Jade. Tal is… Well, that’s just the way he is.”
My curiosity was piqued. “What do you mean ‘just the way he is?’”
“You know he was overseas with the Marines. He doesn’t talk about that. The truth is he’s always been the kind of guy who keeps to himself. I’m much closer to Joe and Ryan than I am to Tal. He’s definitely a loner.”
“Yeah, I can kind of see that. I got up last night in the middle of the night to get a cup of tea, and he was sitting alone in the dark in the kitchen.”
“He has trouble sleeping. He gets up at night a lot.”
“But why does he sit in the dark? What doesn’t he turn on the TV or read a book or something?”
Marjorie bit her lip and fidgeted with her hands. “Talon has always been a little bit…off. But he’s a good man, Jade. He just has…issues. I mean, he was in Iraq. I have no idea what he saw over there, and he never talks about it, at least not to me. But it had to have some kind of an effect on him.”
“Do you think he has post-traumatic stress disorder?” I asked.
Marj shook her head. “I’ve considered— Oh!” Her eyes widened as the door to the coffee shop clicked open.
I turned around, and my heart nearly stopped. Talon Steel strode in, his ass looking delectable as ever in snug jeans, the sleeves of his black western shirt rolled up, his gorgeous bronze forearms visible.
“Hey, Tal, over here.” Marj gestured for him to join us.
My skin prickled. All I could think about was that kiss last night, his tongue devouring me as if I were his last meal. I hadn’t seen him since then. I wasn’t sure how to react.
“I’m just getting a coffee to go, but thanks.” He walked to the counter.
“Please, join us.” Now why in hell had those words come out of my mouth?
Marjorie looked at me like I had two heads, her brow furrowing. “Yeah, come on over, Talon. You have a few minutes to hang out with your little sister and her friend, don’t you?”
Talon turned away from the counter, his dark eyes a mixture of fire and…was it sadness? “Yeah, sure. I guess I have a few minutes.”
“My brothers don’t deny me anything,” Marj said, smiling. “Of course, they’re also overprotective as all get out. The price I pay for being the youngest and the only girl.”