“Sounds like a good time,” I said flatly.
“And if he didn’t like somethin’, he made an excuse to leave. An’ she was always expected to leave with ‘im. She followed him, Caleb. Didn’t stand at his side but followed him like some obedient servant. I don’t know what the fuck was wrong with her, but I’m glad she’s done with it now.”
It made me angry to hear some of the things Hunter was saying. Her ex-fiancé sounded like an abusive control freak. It made me relieved that Katie wasn’t going to be marrying a man like that, but that didn’t mean her heart wasn’t broken. I tipped my beer up to my lips and guzzled it down, then breathed a sigh of relief.
I didn’t know why I felt all that relief.
“I know you care ‘bout your sister, Hunter. So why didn’t you speak up if ya didn’t like the guy?” I asked.
“I did. Many times. But she kept brushin’ it off, talkin’ ‘bout how he was there for her durin’ Momma dyin’ and shit. She changed around him, Caleb. She ain’t the sister I remember.”
“Explain,” I said.
“She stopped partyin’. Stopped drinkin’ beer. It was all ‘wine and sparklin’ water’ whenever she came over. She traded that loud voice of hers for somethin’ more tempered and, hell, she fuckin’ stopped cussin’.”
“People grow up and change. What makes ya think it was Michael?” I asked.
“‘Cause the change didn’t start ‘til after their first fight.”
“What did they fight about?”
“Her partyin’ at college. I don’t know what was said. She still won’t talk ‘bout it. But after that argument, she called me cryin’ ‘til she fell asleep. I was in a fuckin’ airport ‘bout to book me a ticket to the city before I heard her snorin’ into the phone.”
“And her snorin’ stopped you?” I asked.
“She sounded peaceful. Not the cryin’ mess that had called. So, I sat in the airport ‘til I could get her back on the phone. She sounded different and begged me not to come out ‘cause she was swamped with finals, so I didn’t. But I should’ve. I know that’s when shit turned with them. When he had his grip on her and didn’t look back.”
“Well, she’s out now. We can all be thankful for that.”
“Truer words were never spoken.”
Hunter and I turned our heads to see Katie approaching us. She was radiant, dressed in a beautiful yellow and orange summer dress with boots on her feet. She eyed Hunter curiously before she threw me a cautious smile, her eyes asking questions before her mouth opened.
“Anyone want to explain why my brother’s day-drinking?” she asked.
“‘Cause you ain’t marryin’ that asshole, that’s why,” Hunter said.
“I’m just glad I made the right decision when I did,” she said with a sigh.
I was shocked at the relief that showed in her features. I figured she’d be sad or crying or screaming mad or something. But she was none of those things.
She was at peace.
And it was a good look on her.
“You gonna stick around the resort?” I asked. “You got that room as long as you need it.”
“So Dylan tells me. And I’ll make sure he doesn’t find you’re drinking on the job.”
“I’d ‘preciate it,” I said with a grin.
“Well, I ain’t workin’, so bartender? Get me another one, please,” Hunter said.
“How many is that?” Katie asked.
“This’ll be my third, then I’m done,” Hunter said.
“Then I’m going to stay here and make sure it is,” Katie said.