Free Saving Tatum (Trace + Olivia #4) by Micalea Smeltzer

him approach. My heart gradually slowed and returned to its normal pace. “Thank you.” I took the proffered glass from him. He didn’t reply as he turned and disappeared inside once more.
    I took a sip of the ice-cold water. I was thirsty and hadn’t realized it. I drank every last drop and set the glass on the ground beside me.
    I rocked slowly in the chair, letting my eyes drift closed as I hummed softly under my breath.
    It was nice here and I really liked Jerry, even if he didn’t know who I was.
    Somewhere in the distance the sound of the tractor cut off.
    A few minutes later a sweaty Jude bound up the steps.
    “Tired?” I asked.
    He jumped at the sound of my voice, pushing damp hair from his eyes. “I’ll live,” he winked.
    “Your grandpa’s making dinner,” I told him.
    “He was eating when we got here,” Jude groaned. “I’d joke that the man’s lost his mind, but that would be the truth,” he shrugged, sighing heavily. “And the truth makes for a pretty shitty joke.”
    “Do you stay here with him often?” I asked, unable to help myself as I remembered the room Jerry had shown me earlier.
    “A few times a week,” Jude admitted. “It depends on classes and how much time I have. This place isn’t exactly that close to school.” He shrugged.
    “No one else takes care of him?” I asked. I was full of questions today.
    Jude shook his head. “Only me.” Muttering under his breath, with venom lacing his words, he said, “No one else cares.”
    Something in my heart shifted.
    I was beginning to realize that I’d misjudged Jude.
    I’d hated him for the stunt he pulled with Graham’s girlfriend and the part I’d believed it played in Graham’s death.
    I’d hated his whole playboy demeanor.
    I’d hated the way he always seemed to use women.
    But, the fact of the matter was, I didn’t really know him.
    Right now, this man in front of me, was the real Jude and he just might be worth getting to know.
    “I’m going to shower before we go,” he informed me. “Pap will be mad if we don’t stay for dinner. I hope you don’t mind.” He appeared almost sheepish.
    “I don’t mind at all.” It was true. I liked Jerry and I hated to think of him sitting in this house eating dinner alone. In fact, I’m pretty sure it broke my heart.
    “Good.” Jude’s smile was wide, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
    With that, he disappeared inside and through the screen door. I could hear his boots slamming against the steps.
    I stayed outside for a moment longer, admiring the way the stars sparkled like new diamonds and the sounds of nature weren’t masked by car horns and chaos.
    Maybe there was a little bit of a country girl inside me.
    I stood and folded the blanket, draping it over my arm. I placed it back inside the basket I got it from and joined Jerry in the kitchen.
    “Can I help?” I asked, leaning against the doorway. My stomach came alive at the smell of whatever he was cooking.
    He turned to look over his shoulder at me. “Of course, sweetheart.”
    I smiled at the term of endearment. I might not like Jude, but I was kind of falling in love with his grandpa.
    As I approached, I noticed he was stirring something in a large pot with a wooden spoon. “You take over with this,” he told me. “I’ll get the table set.”
    I leaned closer to the pot and smelled. “Mmmm,” I couldn’t contain my hum of approval. I hadn’t had a home cooked meal like this in a long time. I could cook, but nothing I made could ever compare to how this smelled and I hadn’t even tasted it yet.
    Jerry chuckled from somewhere behind me. “You like the smell of that.”
    “It smells so yummy,” I told him, stirring the mixture carefully.
    “That’s my Mama’s world famous chili. That recipe has been passed down for generations,” he explained, setting bowls and napkins on the table. Returning to my side he said, “That should be done now.” He peered down at the mixture and nodded. “It’s