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C lara dropped onto the couch and died… literally died .

Okay, maybe not literally. But wasn’t that fitness thing supposed to be kicking in by now? She’d joined the running club weeks ago.

If her fitness had improved, she was not reaping the benefits. Her lungs were ready to collapse just finishing the five miles. It didn’t help that she was distracted by him . Every time she turned her head, he was all she saw. His beautiful hazel eyes. His sharp jaw.

But even though the man was pretty, he was giving her whiplash. Why the heck was he giving her the best kiss of her life last night, then today not saying a word to her?

Yeah, that’s right—he hadn’t said anything. In fact, he’d arrived just late enough that he didn’t talk to anyone before the run. She’d almost thought he wasn’t going to show up.

Whereas she’d arrived early. She’d wanted to see if Helen showed up, to check on her. She hadn’t. Not a surprise. And when Clara had asked Briar if her friend was okay, the other woman had barely looked at her, just mumbled a, “She’s resting,” and walked away.

Clara’s eyes were still closed when the front door opened and shut. She cracked one eye open to see Scarlett walk in and head straight down the hall.

How was she so in shape and Clara wasn’t? The woman sat on her phone and laptop all day but somehow didn’t seem affected by the five miles at all.

Maybe this was a Clara thing. Maybe her chronic fatigue meant that she’d never run five miles and feel okay?

That was a depressing thought.

Her phone rang in her leggings pocket, and she blindly pulled it out. “Hello?”

“Clara, are you okay?”

She scrunched her eyes closed. She hadn’t spoken to her mother about what happened last night, because she hadn’t had a chance yet. And maybe she knew her mother wouldn’t be happy. “Who told you?”

“Jesse.”

Of course it was her sheriff brother. “I’m fine, Mom. Holden and Jesse made sure of it.”

“Why didn’t you call?”

“I didn’t have a chance. It was late last night and this morning I went for a run.”

“You still went for a run?”

She wrinkled her nose. “I’m okay, Mom.”

“I want to stop by with some soup. You can rest while I take care of you.”

God, she loved her mom. She’d really hit the jackpot with her. “Thank you, but I’ve got a client in an hour so will eventually peel myself off the couch and shower.”

“You didn’t take today off either?”

“I couldn’t. I have clients. But I told you, I’m okay.”

“Darling, I hope you’re not overworking yourself?”

“Never.” It was true. She only worked part time, exactly why she had a roommate in the first place. “Mom, can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

She picked at a loose thread on the couch.

The thing about her mother was that she gave great advice.

And man, she needed advice right now. “There’s this guy.

I like him. A lot. And a few years ago, I told him how much I like him, but he didn’t reciprocate my feelings.

After that, I told myself to leave it. That he wasn’t interested. But then he kissed me.”

“He kissed you?”

She wrinkled her nose. “Yeah. And it was a good kiss. I could feel how much he cared about me in this kiss. But right after, he pulled away from me again.”

“Oh, sweetheart. That sounds tough. And it sounds like he’s been hurt. People don’t build walls like that unless they’ve felt them crumble before.”

She frowned. What had hurt him? Losing his mother? “I don’t know what to do.”

“What do you want to do?”

“I want to break down those walls.” The response was instant, not a flicker of doubt.

“Well, darling, there’s your answer. Listen to your heart.”

Her heart screamed to fight for him. “Thank you.”

“I’m always here for anything you need, honey.”

“I know.” A part of Clara expected her mother to ask who he was. Or at least ask when she’d reveal his name.

She didn’t. “Are you sure you don’t need me to come by with soup?”

She forced her tired body up from the couch. “I’m okay. I’m going to make a big smoothie and have a long, hot shower.” The longest shower of her life. As long as Scarlett wasn’t in the other one, that was.

She might also put some needles in before her first client. She could use some acupuncture right now.

“Okay. I love you.”

Clara smiled. “I love you too, Mom.”

She hung up, her mind immediately on Holden again. On the kiss. The way he’d held her.

She wasn’t going to give up on him. She couldn’t.

Every muscle groaned as she walked to the kitchen.

Pain…Too. Much. Pain.

In the kitchen, she plugged in her Vitamix and had just started peeling a banana when her roommate walked in, already dressed in slacks and a T-shirt.

Clara cleared her throat. “You were fast today.”

“Thanks. I’ve got a lot on my to-do list.”

Clara nodded. “That’s great.”

“I noticed Helen wasn’t there,” Scarlett said. “I wonder if she’s feeling worse from the alcohol or the attack.”

“Probably both.” Clara dropped the banana into the blender. “Maybe even the stress of work too.”

Scarlett grabbed an apple and stopped. “She’s stressed at work?”

“Apparently. I don’t think things are great at the moment.”

“What do you mean?”

Clara lifted a shoulder as she grabbed the blueberries from the freezer. “She just mentioned something about the hospital being in chaos.”

She closed the freezer and turned, only to find Scarlett right there.

Clara gasped. “What are you—”

“What did she say? Exactly.”

Clara’s mouth opened and closed. “Um…not much. Something about a dead patient—”

“Lauren?”

“Maybe. She didn’t say a name.”

“What else?”

“Um…other patients going into heart failure and respiratory depression.”

“How many? Has anyone else died? Who were the doctors?”

“I don’t know. She didn’t say. The guys came outside and interrupted her.” Clara frowned. “What’s going on? Why do you care so much?”

Frustration filled Scarlett’s eyes and she stepped back. “I have to go.” Then she turned and left before Clara could say anything else.

Holden pulled up outside The Tea House and ran his fingers through his hair. He hadn’t said one word to Clara all morning. He’d smiled at her. Gave her a nod. But not one fucking word after their kiss.

Shit, he was a coward.

He leaned back against the headrest. A lot of people lost family members. So why had the loss of his mother scarred him so much? Because she’d been sick for so many years? Because by the end of it, he’d just been waiting for her to die? Or because once she had died, he’d been left with no one?

Whatever the hell it was, it taught him that loving another person, needing another person, could hurt you. No, not just hurt. Rip apart the very foundation of your world.

He climbed out of the truck and crossed the parking lot to The Tea House. He needed coffee. Hell, he needed more than coffee, but it was nine in the damn morning.

Inside, he scanned the space. An old military habit. No matter what room he walked into, it was ingrained in him to identify possible threats. To be aware of his exits at all times.

The first people he noticed were Malcolm and Helen. They sat in a booth by the window. Malcolm’s back was toward him, and they both leaned forward and spoke in hushed voices.

Holden went to the counter. Mrs. Gerald had hired some employees in the last few months, but it was still the lady herself who made most of the coffee.

She turned her head and smiled at him. “Holden, honey. Hi. Your usual?”

“Can we make it a double shot today?”

“Absolutely. Is everything okay?”

“Mostly.” Which was true. Most of his life was great. He had a great job. A great best friend who came with an amazing family. It was just Clara who sat heavy on his chest and took up too much space in his mind.

“It seems to be a tough morning for a lot of people today.” Mrs. Gerald’s gaze shifted behind him, presumably to Malcolm and Helen, before returning to the coffee machine.

He lowered his voice. “Yeah, she had a rough night last night.”

“She did? Oh, I thought they were talking about the hospital.” Mrs. Gerald shook her head. “I should mind my own business. Although, it’s not always easy to do that with Dr. Trundle here. He’s almost famous these days.”

“Is he?”

“Oh, yes, he was all over the news and in the papers for some treatment he created.”

That should probably make Holden like the guy more than he did.

“I’ll get that coffee.” Mrs. Gerald turned back to the machine.

Someone suddenly tapped him on the shoulder. He turned to see Helen behind him, her face pale.

He frowned. “Hey. How are you doing today?”

“Um…not too good.” She sniffed. “I didn’t really get a chance to thank you last night. Thank you. You really saved me and Clara.”

“I’m glad I was there. Next time, be careful who you befriend, especially while drinking.”

“Oh, don’t worry. I don’t plan to drink for a very long time.”

Helen went to turn away, but he grabbed her arm. “Is there something other than last night that’s upsetting you?” He glanced behind her at Malcolm, who was already crossing toward them. “You looked like you were arguing over there.”

Her eyes flared, and she opened her mouth, but then Malcolm stepped up to them and put a hand on her shoulder. “We should get going, Helen.”

She nodded and turned. Malcolm gave Holden a tight smile before they both walked out of The Tea House.

What was going on with them?

He shifted his attention back as Mrs. Gerald set his coffee on the counter. “Here you go.”

He paid and thanked the tea house owner. He was just stepping outside when he ran into Pam Hayes.

The older woman smiled at him. The same wide, welcoming smile she always offered. “Holden.”

“Hi, Pam.”

She welcomed him into one of those tight, familiar hugs.

When she moved back, her features were harder. She gripped his upper arms. “Thank you.”

“You don’t need to—”

“ I do . Jesse told me everything that happened last night. If it wasn’t for you…”

Holden was glad she didn’t finish her sentence. He didn’t want to think about what those assholes would have done either.

“You know I’d do anything to protect Clara,” he said, voice lower now…harder.

“I know. It’s just one of the reasons I love you.” Then she tilted her head and studied him, something he couldn’t place flickering over her features.

He wanted to squirm. She was the only person in the world who could make him feel uncomfortable with a single look. And he only felt like that because she saw too much.

“You’re coming to dinner Sunday night, aren’t you?” Pam finally asked.

Family dinner. Shit. He’d forgotten about that. It had been hard enough to be around Clara this morning. How could he go to a dinner with her family?

“I actually—”

“Don’t you tell me you’re busy, Holden Forbes. It’s called family dinner for a reason, and you’re family, which means you’re required every week.”

His gut gave a hard kick. Because before he’d met Jesse, he hadn’t had a family. “I’ll be there.”

She squeezed his arm. “Good. I’ll see you later, honey.”

Then she walked into The Tea House, and he was left wondering what the hell he was going to do about Clara.