The Stone Family Heart - Taylor Hart Page 0,45

can’t do that.”

“That’s what I thought,” Kensi said, nodding. “But I looked up the law and the fact is, since Mr. Stout owns the property the coves, caves, and falls are all on, he has the rights to anything that happens on that property.”

Tim knew Mr. Stout well. “Let’s go talk to him. I bet we can talk some sense into him.”

“Really?” Kensi asked. “You would come with me?”

“I’ll drive.”

Chapter 12

For some reason, Kensi was nervous as she and Tim walked up to Mr. Stout’s house.

Tim leaned into her. “Do you remember that time Elizabeth was so mean to Kat? You punched her and your mom made you come and apologize.”

The memory made her smile. “You insisted on coming, even though Mama didn’t want you to.”

Tim put a hand to his chest. “Hey, I was a witness. Justice had to be told.”

Warmth filled her. “You have always been the sheriff, haven’t you?”

Tim shrugged. “Guess so.”

It was surreal to think about she and Tim hanging out as kids. Dating as teens. Writing “Kensi + Tim” over and over in her notebooks. “It’s so weird how time feels so long ago and then not so long ago.”

They got to the door and Tim paused, glancing at her. “It is weird.”

Her heart raced. For the hundredth time, she thought about kissing him. Maybe she should do it, just to get the idea out of her head. Just to reconcile those feelings. “I kind of want to kiss you.”

His hand was in the air to knock on the door, but he froze. “What?”

Instantly, she regretted it. “Nothing.”

Tim put his hand down and turned to face her. “No, you can’t take it back.”

Her mind shuttered. “Never mind.”

What was she doing? She couldn’t kiss Tim Tucker.

“Kens…” Carefully, he reached for her hand.

The truth surfaced, pushing its way to the top amidst the murky waters of life. If she knew anything from her years practicing law, it was that the truth surfaced at the most inopportune times. “You hurt me when you told me to go find my own people.”

The thing he’d said to her all those years ago.

He jolted and then blinked.

She pushed on. “You hurt me when you acted like you didn’t know me. When you acted like we didn’t belong together.”

“We didn’t then.” His words were clipped. He pulled his hand back and ran it through his hair. “Back then, you were going to Harvard and I was … enlisting in the marines.”

“I didn’t care about that.”

He jerked a thumb to his chest. “I did.”

“My brothers are all military. My father died serving this country. I value that.”

The look on Tim’s face turned sad. He let out a long breath. “I never felt good enough for you, Kens. I didn’t want to hold you back. I couldn’t allow that.” His lips tugged into a soft smile. “And you’ve soared. I’m so proud of you.”

So many whacked out emotions surfaced inside of her. She’d been devastated when Tim had said that to her, but Trey had told her the same thing; he didn’t want to hold her back. “Don’t… It wasn’t your choice to make, Tim. You didn’t get to make that choice for both of us.” The old anger from sixteen years ago surged inside her.

He frowned. “You’re right. What can I say? The world felt so black and white back then, Kens. It felt… like there was a right way and a wrong way to look at things, but now…” He trailed off. “It’s not that way. I see that now. I’m … sorry about that.”

Again, that chemistry pulsed between them.

Kensi’s heart raced and she narrowed her eyes at him. She would have kept reaming him if the front door hadn’t opened.

“What is going on?” Mr. Stout asked. He wore a faded beachy type shirt. The few strands of hair he did have stuck up on his balding head.

“Mr. Stout,” Tim began. “Sorry to interrupt your evening.”

“Tim?” Mr. Stout glanced at her. “Kensi? Is that you, too?”

She nodded. “Sorry about this.”

He let out a light laugh and stepped back, opening the door. “Well, heavens. It’s a reunion of sorts, you two together like this. Come in. I’m just glad my Elizabeth doesn’t live at home anymore. I know there’s no punches to navigate.”

Kensi was grateful for his good nature. She moved inside. “No, no fights to sort out.”

Tim followed.

“That’s good.” Mr. Stout shut the door and led them into the living room.

The place looked clean, if a bit cluttered. There was a television