He didn’t miss the obvious way in which she turned the tables on him or her evident relief that she’d avoided his original question. But he went with it. He could play the dumb tourist as well as anyone.
“Tennessee. Little town on Kentucky Lake. My entire family lives there.”
She sighed. “It sounds nice. You have a big family?”
“You could say that. There’s my mom and dad. I have five brothers. I’m second oldest. I also have two sisters-in-law, one of whom is ready to pop out a kid any day now. Then there are my mom’s adopted chicks. Her most recent find is a surly-ass teenage girl who she’s determined to keep on the straight and narrow. My brothers and I have given up and wished Ma luck.”
Sarah chuckled. “Aren’t all teenage girls surly?”
“Hell, I don’t know. They’re all deranged, if you ask me.” He glanced sideways at her. “What about you?”
A slight grin flirted with the edges of her mouth. “I’m pretty sure I was deranged at sixteen.”
“Smart-ass. I meant what about your family?”
Her expression became more pensive. “I grew up in foster homes.”
He shifted uncomfortably. He already knew that but he wasn’t supposed to and now he had to sit here and play dumb. He was dying to ask her about Lattimer, and why, if she was his sister and he was so protective of her, had she grown up without all the benefits he had? Instead he offered a lame reply that said he didn’t really know what to say at all.
“Ouch. That had to be hard.”
“It wasn’t so bad. But it did involve a lot of moving. Most placements were temporary until something more permanent came along. The problem was that the permanent situations never were ... permanent.”
His lips twisted in sympathy. “That sucks.”
She shrugged. “It’s not like I was abused. I had food and clothes. A place to live. There were a lot of children far less fortunate than I was. I don’t spend my adult life lamenting my childhood. I had some good times.”
He wasn’t sure what to say to that. He liked her attitude. Shit happens and you deal. Only second to the Kelly motto, in his mind. No one f**ks with the Kellys.
“So how long are you here for?”
She frowned. “I don’t know. I haven’t decided yet.”
“Ah. Extended vacation then. Must have really needed this one. Stressful job?”
Tension snaked across her face. “I’m sort of taking a breather right now. I’m thinking of a career change. Maybe something a little less ... stressful, as you put it.”
“Any ideas yet?”
She smiled ruefully. “No. Not really. Maybe teaching. Something with kids. I’m kind of tired of adults.”
“Oh hell, and you think teaching’s less stressful? My mom and my sister-in-law used to teach. I never figured out how they survived that with their sanity intact.”
“Let me guess. You’re scared of children too?”
He scowled. “Not scared. Cautious. Maybe a little apprehensive. Okay, terrified. I mean, they’re terrorists disguised as cute little people.”
She laughed that full throaty laugh that sent a shiver up his spine. Damn but she was beautiful when she laughed. She lit up like a Christmas tree and her eyes sparkled. Too bad he wasn’t a humorous guy. He’d give anything to make her laugh again.
“They aren’t that bad. They just need attention. And love. Just like everyone else.”
“Everyone else doesn’t puke on you. Or rub their snot on your shirt.”
She grinned. “That’s what antibacterial wipes are for.”
“Try full-body armor,” Garrett muttered.
She rolled her eyes. “A big muscled out guy like you, terrified of women and children. What a wimp.”
“Hey.” He pressed the cold bottle against the bare skin of her leg and she yelped as she slid away. “No need to get personal.”
She laughed again and God if he didn’t get all gooey inside. She was right. He was a first-class pansy. He scowled and gave thanks his brothers weren’t here to give him shit.
“Better check the steaks. It’s a sin to burn good meat.”
He hoisted himself to his feet and made it a point to “accidentally” get her with the cold bottle again. She giggled and pushed herself up as well. She followed him toward the grill and sniffed appreciatively when he propped open the lid.
“Smells great.”
“Yeah, just needs another minute or two. Want to grab plates and eat out here?”
She glanced over to the small patio table with the umbrella that tilted precariously to one side. “Yeah, that sounds great. I’ll get the stuff and set the table.”
They ate in companionable silence as dusk settled over the water. The skies faded from the brilliant blue of earlier, and shades of pink and gold spread like gossamer wings over the horizon. There was something to be said for this whole R and R thing. Not that he’d ever admit it to his brothers. But damn if he wasn’t enjoying himself. And the company.
When they pushed aside their plates, neither made a move to get up, and he was content to follow her lead. He settled back in his chair as the water turned dark with impending nightfall. The moon was barely visible as it crept over the horizon. It was nearly full and in two nights it would be, but it was still bright as it splashed across the surface of the ocean.
“I’ve kept you far too long,” Sarah said, breaking the silence. There was a note of discomfort in her voice, not that she’d spent the time with him, but a hesitancy that signaled her regret for what she considered an inconvenience.