“Yep, the whole damn thing. It’s not a one man job so you think you can send Marlon over to help me out?”
“Nope, Marlon left for Crescent Falls this morning to visit his sister. Won’t be back until Sunday.”
“It can’t hold until Sunday. Good Girl and Bad Boy will freeze to death with these temperatures. The way the wind’s been cutting the past couple days, that’s going to be a problem I can’t afford.”
“Hang tight, let me call Wilde. I’m sure he won’t mind coming to help but you need to get yourself a husband. Every other week something’s falling apart out there on that farm, Reecee Cup.”
“Yeah, well, when you find one worth something you can send him to me. For now I just need my barn door fixed. If not Wilde then anyone will do at this point. I just need another set of hands, even if they’re not all that capable. I can do the heavy lifting if they can just assist. My babies aren’t going to survive the cold with no door on the barn.”
“Alright, let me see what I can do.”
“Thanks, Mel.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”
She ended the call and I was going to ask about a room. But before I could get the words out of my mouth, she turned to me with an arched brow. “Were you listening to my conversation?”
I smirked and moved away from my truck but remained on the asphalt. Even still I was about a foot taller than her because she wasn’t more than five feet.
“Unintentionally, yes.”
“If you listened it was intentional.”
I nodded and she looked past me at my truck. “Where you from?”
“Does that matter?”
“Yes, because you’re not from here,” she stated smartly.
“Texas but I’ve been moving around.”
“You slept in that truck last night?” Dark eyes locked on my face with an expression that dared me to lie. I nodded tightly and she huffed. She looked me over with those assessing brown eyes, like she was trying to dissect my entire life, and part of me felt like she actually could.
“You’ve got a story to tell but I’m not the one who needs to hear it. I do, however, need a few details. So come buy me some coffee and I’m going to give you a temporary fix to whatever problem is currently plaguing you.”
I had not a damn clue what that meant but coffee sounded great, and at the very least, I could get some warmth pushing through my veins and a brew strong enough to get my brain moving. Also, if offering a cup meant finding a bed for the next couple days, then I would take the win.
“Let me get my hat.” I dipped my chin and she followed my slow stride back to my truck. The stiffness in my knee from the pins that now lived there gave me a slight limp that occasionally showed up at times like this but for the most part I could control it.
“It’s colder than the North Poles ass out here, so I’m gonna head on over. I’ll grab us a table. Hurry up.”
The fuck…
“Yes, ma’am.” I grinned, knowing I was in trouble with this one. I rounded the passenger side of my truck and dug through the duffle on the footboard once I had the door open. I grabbed my toothbrush and toothpaste, shoving both into my pocket, praying the bathroom was clean. I lifted my Jaxson and dropped it onto my head before pushing my phone into my other pocketand crossing the street, dodging a delivery truck on my way to the coffee shop.
The aroma of exactly what I needed danced around me as soon as I was inside. A quick scan located my problem solver sitting at a table near the rear of the shop with a cup in hand. She was already sipping, but based on the frown she exposed each time the mug lifted to her lips, the brew was too damn hot or strong. However, she kept at it.
I did another quick scan, taking in another overdose of Christmas with the tree sitting near the entrance and each table decorated with miniature versions using coffee mugs at the base. Once I located the bathroom sign on the opposite side of the building, I tipped my head to the woman behind the counter before heading that way. The place was nice, but damn sure not one of those overpriced fancy coffee spots. This one fit the small town vibe, making folks feel welcomed but also like they were home.
I made my way to the back, sighing in relief when a hint of lemon cleaner hit my nose once I was inside. The small singular bathroom was clean, with polished surfaces, so I relaxed, heading to the toilet to empty my bladder.
Once I washed my hands, I brushed my teeth, wrapped my toothbrush in a paper towel to dry, and shoved it along with my toothpaste back into my pocket, feeling a little better. I still needed a hot shower and a few hours of sleep where I wasn’t folded in the driver’s seat of my truck, but hopefully I would have that soon.
A few more bodies had trickled in but none of them paid me any mind other than a quick glance. I made my way to the counter to order but the woman didn’t give me a chance. She smiled, turned to the space behind her, and lifted a large disposable cup and a craft paper sleeve which she placed on the counter in front of me.
When I frowned at both, she smiled wider and quickly turned her head to the right before her eyes were back on me. “Mrs. Mel ordered for you but said you’d be paying.”
I already knew this woman was going to be a handful. Instead of arguing, I removed my wallet and covered the tab for my coffee and hers then joined her at the table.
