Great, My Heart May Be Broken but My Hair Still Looks Great

by Dixie Cash

“But they ha-have a phone. I’m in the b-b-b-back of the store and I’ve heard it r-r-r-ring a couple of times.”

  “Is this a prank call?” Tasheka’s tone became threatening. “Because we have ways of tracing you—”

  “N-no, wait. Listen. This is not a pr-prank. I’m locked in the cooler. I need to call the m-manager to let me out.”

  Tasheka’s voice jumped a full octave. “I’m transferring you to a nine-one-one operator.”

  “No, wait—”

  Gone! Tasheka’s voice was replaced by a burr.

  “Nine-one-one. What is your emergency?”

  “I do-don’t have an emergency. I just want th-the num-m-mm-ber for the Kwik Stop in Salt Lick.”

  “Ma’am, you should have called the operator for information. There are penalties for making false reports to a nine-one-one operator.”

  “No report. I only asked for a ph-phone number and the operator tr-transferred me to you.”

  “Why would she do that, ma’am?”

  “I don’t know. I told her I wa-wanted to call Kwik Stop because I’m l-l-locked in the c-cooler.”

  “You’re locked in the cooler?”

  “I’m in the c-c-cooler. I want to c-c-call the store clerk—”

  “Try to stay calm, ma’am.”

  “I’m c-c-calm. But I’m cold—”

  “How long have you been entombed?”

  “I’m not entombed! The door c-closed accidentally and I want to call—”

  “Give me your location, please.”

  “The K-kwik Stop in Salt Lick.”

  “I can’t find a listing for Quick Stop. Can you give me their number?”

  Paige could no longer contain her tears. “If I c-could give you their n-number I wouldn’t b-be in here.”

  “Please stay calm, ma’am. And whatever you do, resist the urge to fall asleep. Stay on the line. I’m going to contact your local sheriff.”

  Sheriff?

  Paige could hear rings on the line, and after at least ten, a half-asleep male voice said, “Hullo?”

  “This is the nine-one-one operator. Is this Sheriff Roberts?”

  “Hullo?”

  “Is this Sheriff Roberts?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “I’m a nine-one-one operator and we have a situation.”

  “What is it?” A note of fear came into the sheriff’s voice. Something crashed, followed by a noise like breaking glass, then cursing.

  “Sheriff Roberts? Sheriff Roberts are you still there?”

  “Damn. That’s gonna leave a scar.”

  “Sheriff?”

  “I’m here. I’m hurt, but I’m okay. What’s the problem?”

  “I have a caller on the line who’s trapped in the cooler of one of your local businesses.”

  “How the hell did that happen?”

  “I don’t know, sir. Can you address the situation?”

  “Can I what?”

  “Can you take care of the situation?”

  “Heck, yeah. I can do that.”

  Silence. “Sir?” the operator said. “Are you ready to take the information?”

  “Oh, yeah. Hold on. Let me get a pen.”

  More fumbling, crashing, and cursing. After too many minutes the sheriff returned. “Okay, shoot.”

  “The caller is in a business called the Quick Stop. Do you know that location, sir?”

  “Oh, you mean Manuel and Rosa’s La Tienda. Yeah, I know the place. I’ll be there in a minute.”

  “Can I report to my supervisor the situation is being resolved?”

  “Yeah. Tell ’em everything’s okeydoke.”

  In less than five minutes Paige could hear the same male voice that she had heard on the other side of the locked door.

  “Manuel, how you doin’ this morning? Hey, Miz Rosa, would you fix me up one of those burritos, por favor? Put everything on it. Throw some of them taters in there, too. I love them taters mixed up with them jalapeños.”

  Suddenly the cooler door opened and a lanky young man dressed in jeans and a striped pajama shirt stood there. He had a star on his chest and a thick bandage on his thumb. The Mexican store owner and the woman stood beside him, their eyes filled with concern. A big grin broke out on the sheriff’s long face. “Well, beat all. There you are, little lady. You okay?”

  Instead of answering, Paige pushed past him into the blessed warmth of the convenience store. “I’m frozen. Do you think you could have let me out before you ordered breakfast?”

  “Huh? Oh, yeah, I sure could’ve. I forgot. Sorry.”

  Paige just wanted to leave, but she had to know one thing. “How come Kwik Stop doesn’t have a listed phone number? I called the operator and she said she didn’t show a number.”

  “Oh, it hasn’t been Kwik Stop for years. It’s been Manuel and Rosa’s La Tienda a long time, but they’ve never spent the money to change the sign. Everybody knows that.”

  “Not everyone,” Paige snapped.

  The Mexican man began jabbering in Spanish, and the woman sank to her knees and crossed herself.

  “I’m okay,” Paige repeated several times.

  Manuel grabbed a giant paper sack from behind the counter and began stuffing it with food and merchandise. When it was full to the top, he pressed the bag into her arms.

  Paige, assuming this was an out-of-court settlement, smiled and accepted. After all, she was still hungry.

  Even with the turn of events at La Tienda she was only fifteen minutes late reaching the Flying C. Amazing how quickly the day had gone to hell. If she couldn’t convince herself that things couldn’t get worse, she would have to turn around and go home.

  Rumbling over the Flying C cattle guard she saw the vet’s white mobile clinic parked at the barn. Spur. God, she hoped he was alone. If not, her detour through Manuel and Rosa’s walk-in cooler had been for naught.

  She pulled beside the truck and stopped. Glancing in the mirror she smoothed her hair and wet her lips, then fished out a purse-size atomizer and spritzed perfume behind her ears. A girl had to take advantage of every opportune moment.

  As she slid the barn door open, she saw Lester and Spur standing near one of the stalls, both laughing. Lester wiped tears from his eyes with his shirtsleeve. Spur had his back to her, but as she approached she heard him say, “I don’t know who it was, but I can’t figure anyone being dumb enough to get themselves locked in a convenience store cooler.”

  Damn. She had heard news traveled fast in a small town, but this was ridiculous.

  fifteen

  Good morning,” Paige said, feigning nonchalance. “What’s so funny?”

  Spur turned and touched the brim of his hat. A little shiver traveled through her, and it had nothing to do with the earlier episode in the convenience store cooler.

  Lester landed his customary leering grin on her. “You’re late. I was beginning to think you got cold feet.”

  Paige’s pulse quickened. Hadn’t she distinctly heard Spur say he didn’t know who had locked herself in the cooler? “Why would you say that? Why would you say I had cold feet?”

  “Whoa, there. It’s just an expression. What, got PMS or something?” Lester gave Spur a good-ol’-boy wink, but Spur glared at him.

  A ribbon of hot indignation crawled up Paige’s neck. “That’s a disgusting thing to say.”

  “Hell, Doc,” Lester said to Spur, “I can’t seem to quit stepping in it. I guess some women are just hard to get along with at certain times of the month.”

  “I’d say it depends on your approach,” Spur said. “I was raised in a houseful of sisters. If I’d said something like that to one of ’em, I’d be afraid to go to sleep at night.” Spur smiled in her direction.

  “Thank you, Spur,” she said, still smarting. He was every bit the hero who rescued the maiden in distress.

  “Spur?” Lester said. “What’s up with that? This is Dr. Atwater.”

  Paige ignored him and looked up at Spur. “You’re here so early. Is somet
hing wrong?” She wanted to also ask, Did you drop off your girlfriend? but the phone ringing from the office interrupted. Lester excused himself and jogged to answer it.

  “Lester asked me to check on the horses while he’s out of town,” Spur said, “so while I was out this way, I thought I’d drop in. When he asked me, he didn’t mention you, so he must not have known you were going to work here.”

  “Maybe not,” Paige said. “My decision was a bit sudden. I hadn’t heard he’s going out of town, but then, this is just my second day on the job.” She glanced toward the office, watching for Lester’s return. “Did he say how long he’ll be gone? Or where he’s going?”

  “He said just a few days. Is there a problem? Since you’ll be here, do I still need to come by and check on things?”

  “No problem that I know about. I just wondered where he’s going. No, there’s no need in your coming by unless you want…uh…I mean, if you feel you should, uh, um, you can come by anytime.” She hated herself for stuttering and stammering, but the image of the brunette sitting in his pickup in the early morning hours was still fresh in her mind.

  Taking a step toward her, but still watching the office door, Spur removed his hat. “Paige, uh…I’m just wondering if you might like to have supper with me some evening?”

  Not trusting her ears, Paige stared at him. “Excuse me?”

  “I wonder if I could take you to supper sometime. I heard there’s some good places to eat in Odessa and Midland. I thought you might like to try something different from the places, or place, in Salt Lick. Just for a change, I mean. But if you don’t want to—”

  “Oh…Gosh. I’d like that. I really would. Thanks.” Paige’s face didn’t have room for the smile that grew from her toes to her mouth. She only hoped her joy didn’t show too much.

  A sigh escaped from Spur’s throat, and his face broke into a huge smile, totally surprising her. He was actually nervous about asking her out.

  Suddenly memory pinched her. Okay, he had asked her for a date, but who was the brunette?

  The office door opened, and Lester sauntered out. Apparently the phone call had gone well. He was practically gloating.

  “Doc, I don’t see any reason you need to drop by here while I’m gone, now that we’ve got Paige here. I decided after yesterday she’ll do just fine here all by herself. She’s got things well in hand, and there’s plenty of help here.”

  He attempted to grab her shoulder in a one-armed hug, but she sidestepped and he missed. “I’m glad you trust me, Lester. How long are you going to be gone? And when did you say you’re leaving?”

  “What’s the rush, sweet thing? You eager to get rid of me so soon?”

  She gave him her best reptilian smile. “Just wondering.”

  “I shouldn’t be gone more than three, four days, tops. I’ll leave you a work list. If you need help, one of the hands’ll always be around.”

  “Look’s like you’ve got things to talk about,” Spur said. “I’ll be running on. Paige, I’ll talk to you later.”

  After Spur disappeared, Lester turned to Paige. “You fibbed to me, darlin’. Said you didn’t sleep around.”

  Paige faced him squarely, planting her fists on her hips. “You are such an ass. I’m not going to dignify your tacky remarks with conversation.” She pushed past him and stamped toward the office. “Let’s go over your travel schedule, Lester. Maybe you can leave a little earlier than planned.”

  Lester laughed. “Now that’s what I like. Women who play hard to get.”

  The news that her nemesis was leaving for a few days had caught Paige off guard. She hadn’t anticipated having the place all to herself so soon. Suddenly a cup of hot, strong coffee sounded good, along with every food item Manuel had stuffed into the brown paper sack. Lester’s leaving was something to celebrate.

  DRIVING BACK to town, Spur gripped the steering wheel as if his ol’ truck might take on a mind of its own and bolt. He had just gone against his every conviction. He didn’t have the time or the money for a woman and all that dating crap, but his sister Electra had been unrelenting in her determination to see him “find someone.” She had talked about little else since he told her about Paige. That was where he had messed up. He shouldn’t have mentioned Paige to Electra, but after the fender bender in Fort Worth, the coincidence of meeting Paige again in an out-of-the-way place like Salt Lick bore telling.

  Electra’s reaction had been electric. He remembered her words—This is serendipity. Kismet. She’s your soul mate.

  Women. Electra had the perfect marriage to her childhood sweetheart. She held a firm belief that fate provided a mate for everyone, and building a life as two was far better than going it alone.

  Electra would never let him rest. If he ignored her attempts at matchmaking too long, she would enlist the aid of the other four sisters, and he would stand no chance at all. Being the only brother of five sisters had taught him many things about women, one of which was to stop resisting early.

  To avoid the embarrassment of planned encounters and awkward moments, it was best he take control. He would take Paige to supper. Afterward, he would tell his sister she was wrong, that he and Paige McBride had nothing in common. No chemistry. Their pairing up was a dismal failure. Not a chance in hell. Nope. There was no such thing as kismet, and serendipity was bullshit.

  His strongest misgiving lay in what only he knew—the way he reacted when he saw Paige, heard her voice, or smelled her perfume. His pulse quickened and his palms got sweaty. Of course, that could be because it had been so long since he had been with a woman. The real barometer was the roommate in his shorts. Every time he got close to Paige, his roomie tried to stand at attention.

  From blocks away he caught sight of the clinic’s sign. SALT LICK VETERINARY CLINIC. He still couldn’t believe he owned his own practice. Or was in the process of owning it. The bank loan was big, but the interest rate was low, and with a built-in clientele, he had a chance to make a comfortable living. He would have to work hard, but he was no stranger to that.

  As long as he could remember, he had been working. When his dad gave up living and crawled into the warmth and security of a whiskey bottle, Spur had found odd jobs, helping put food on the table for his mother and sisters. There had been times when there wasn’t enough to go around and more than once he had gone to bed hungry. In those days, he was thankful he had a bed to go to.

  He had wanted to drop out of school and get a full-time job, but his mother wouldn’t hear of it. She took in ironing so he could play football, called his athletic ability his “God-given ticket to bigger and better things.” If only she had lived long enough to see him now.

  Spur parked his old Chevy in the back of the clinic. It was too early to start seeing his four-legged patients, but not too early to start his day.

  As he opened the door, the aroma of coffee greeted him. The other odors—medications, cleaning solutions, urine, and feces—were mixed in, but he hardly noticed them. His senses had long ago become accustomed to the pungent smells associated with caring for animals.

  He heard the sound of a metal cage door and a sweet female voice. “Good morning, little one. How’re you this morning? You’re going to be just fine. You’re in good hands. Yes, you are. Yes, you are…. Settle down now…. Okay, give me kisses…. Oh, my goodness. You are such a love.”

  Spur stopped at the end of the row of cages and watched the tall brunette cradling the tiny bichon frise in her right arm. She was everything he could want in an assistant. She handled the front desk and phones with finesse. She wasn’t at all put off with working in the back with the animals or with cleaning up after them. She showered them with love and attention, and best yet, she worked for free.

  Electra and her husband had a small place between Salt Lick and Odessa. She had offered to help Spur until he could find a suitable permanent receptionist or Ronny went back to working nights. She liked to be home when her husband was there. They had only one vehicle, so Spur drove
the distance twice a day to pick her up and take her home. A small price to pay for someone who did as good a job as she did. She refused pay, reminding him of all he had done for her. Of all his sisters, Spur had the most in common with Electra.

  “’Lectra, I swear. You’ve spoiled her so bad, she won’t want to go home with her owners.” Spur stroked the tiny dog’s head with his finger.

  His sister smiled down at the hairy, squirming bundle in her arms. “I can’t help it. They’re all so sweet. You know me, Spur. If I had my way, I’d have a ranch with nothing but dogs and cats roaming everywhere.”

  A childhood memory came back. “Boy, do I remember. Every stray in the county somehow followed you home, no matter how hard they fought against it. I can still hear you pleading with Mom, ‘Just let me keep him until he gets run over.’”

  “Remember that day I brought that dog home on a leash I made from my shoestrings?”

  “Yep. You came in the door and announced ‘Look what followed me home from school!’ To this day, that was the mangiest, scrawniest dog I’ve ever seen.”

  They laughed together. “I know. I chased him through a berry patch and lost the only pair of shoes I had. You named him Ol’ Stupid.”

  Spur scruffed her hair. “Yeah, and I took on a paper route to buy you a new pair of shoes.”

  “But you liked him. He was the best dog. We had him the longest. I loved him so much.”

  “He lasted the longest because he charmed the neighbors into feeding him. All the others got run over or ran off when they got hungry. Now that I think about it, Ol’ Stupid wasn’t so stupid after all. At least he always had a full belly.”

  As she put the bichon back into a cage, she looked up at him, grinning. “Did you do it? Did you ask her out?”

  “Yes, ’Lectra. I did it. Now, will you please just let it rest?”

  “Okay, okay. Just a couple of questions, though.” She latched the cage door and pressed her hands together under her chin. “When are you going out and when do I get to meet her?”

  “Well, I didn’t actually make a time. I just asked if she’d like to have supper with me some evening.”

  “What did she say?”

  “She said she’d like that.”