by Sienna Ciles
The interior smelled of wet plaster and a fine dust from freshly dried grouting coated the floor tiles.
"Still gotta clean the place up," she said, then sighed. "And bring in an interior decorator."
"You sure you want to do all that work?" I asked.
"Oh yeah. I’ve had my eye on this place for months, but I never had the balls to put in an offer until Faith gave me one of her own.” Lily beamed pride at the walls. “It’ll be a while before I get it up, you know? Months yet, but I’m still happy. Damn lucky no one snatched it up before I did. Why do you ask?"
That didn’t bode well for me. She’d had her heart set on moving to Heather’s Forge for a while, apparently.
I took a breath. Steeled myself. "I know you sold Cowboys n’ Cuts. I hear you got a good deal on the place, too," I said. "I'm here to offer you an even better one."
"Oh? And what's that?" She raised an eyebrow, tucked chubby fingers into the pockets of her jeans and cocked her head to the side.
Confidence suffused me. This was what I did - I'd dealt with tougher customers and clients than this back in New York. Shit, I'd sold ideas to people who would eat Lily's dreams for breakfast.
"I want you to buy back Cowboys n’ Cuts," I said.
"Good lord. Why the hell would I do that?" Lily asked.
"Because you were passionate about the place, or so I heard, and because I'll pay you to do it." I couldn't buy the place from Faith outright. She wouldn't sell it to me if she knew that I wanted it to keep Eve here.
"You'll pay me to do it." Lily's eyes widened. "Man, what's this about? I heard rumors about you being some bigshot businessman. I know most of the folks around here worship the very ground you walk upon. This doesn't sound like a smart business deal for you."
"My gain in this isn't financial."
Lily studied me up and down, head to toe. "Not financial. Then what is your gain, Mr. Jackson?"
"I - I have a friend who works there. A young woman. Her name is Eve."
"Ah, I see. I really liked Eve. She's a fantastic chef and a wonderful person. But why is my selling the place a problem for her?"
"It's complicated." I was loathe to go into details about my relationship with Eve or the lack of one with Faith. "Let's just say that her job is in jeopardy thanks to the new management, and it would be great if we could return things to the way they were before you sold the place."
"I'm sad that Eve is having trouble, but I've got to be honest here, Mr. Jackson, I have no interest in purchasing Cowboys n’ Cuts. I've done my time in Hope Creek. It's a small town and there's limited potential for growth unless you're a farmer or ranch owner." Lily shook her head. "No, I wouldn't go back even if you bought the place for me."
"I'll pay for it and pay for any losses you might incur here. And I'll throw on a little interest for your trouble," I said, smoothly.
"You must really love her," Lily replied and smiled. "That makes me happy for Eve. But no, once again, Mr. Jackson, I have to say no. I've been pretty set on moving out of Hope Creek for quite some time. I need to move on with my life."
It sounded too much like a thought Eve might have about the place. I eased my feet in their ankle boots. "You're sure about this? You're positive you don't want to go back?" A last-ditch attempt to get her to change her mind. God dammit, if I was too open about trying to get Eve to stay where she was, it'd scare her.
She was already on the cusp of running, I could tell. I couldn't accept that. She'd crept into my heart, and I wouldn't let her go.
"I'm sure," Lily said. "This is the first time in my life I've felt I'm in control." She led me out into the sunlight and we stopped in front of my truck. "I hope you manage to sort this out, Mr. Jackson."
"Thanks," I said, but I didn't have much hope for that. Faith certainly wouldn't sell the place to me, and I couldn't buy up another spot and offer Eve a job without totally freaking her out. This was over, for now. I'd find a way. Somehow, I'd find a way.
"Lily," a voice said, "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Lee-Roy." The middle-aged restaurant owner turned and embraced a man with graying hair and a bald spot dominating his crown. He had fleshy jowls and wore a pair of smart jeans and a flannel shirt. Ironed to perfection.
My stomach dropped. Faith's father. What the hell was Lee-Roy Stone doing in Heather's Forge?
Lily pulled out of the embrace and smiled at him. "I could say the same about you. What brings you to Heather's Forge?"
"Just examining a few business opportunities," the old man said, and his gaze chased past Lily and to me. "Well, what do we have here? Another man I hardly expected to see in this town. Joshua. How are you, son?"
Son? That made me cringe internally. "I'm well, thanks, and you, Mr. Stone?" I shook his hand and resisted the urge to wipe my palm on my jeans afterward.
He wasn't a sleaze ball, but he wasn't the nicest guy around either. I'd run into plenty of sharks during my time in New York, but Lee-Roy Stone took the cake. He'd do whatever it took to get a good deal, even if it bordered on unethical.
"Fantastic, as usual," Lee-Roy replied, then ran his hand over his crown. He was self-conscious about the bald spot. "What brings you to Heather's Forge?"
"Mr. Jackson here was trying to convince me to buy back my old property."
"Cowboys n’ Cuts?" Lee-Roy asked.
The cringe deepened. Christ, I didn't want him to know about this. Telling Lee-Roy was akin to whispering the information in Faith's ear. They were thick as thieves.
"That's right," Lily replied. "Apparently, he wants to keep his new woman in town."
Shit! I cleared my throat. "It's nothing like that. I just figured I'd get into the restaurant business."
Lily frowned. "I thought you wanted me to run the place, like I did before? That's what you said at least, unless I missed something. Did you want to be a silent partner?"
"Would that change anything?" I asked.
"No, I'm afraid. As I said, my life is here now."
Lee-Roy's expression had taken on a distinctly sharkish bent. He had me in his sights, and he didn't quit stroking that bald spot. "A lover, eh? That's got to be the talk of the town in Hope Creek."
I didn't have words. Eve wouldn't appreciate me blabbing to her new boss' father and making matters worse for her. "It's nothing serious."
"Nothing serious," Lily snorted. "Please, I saw the way you–”
"I'd better get back to the farm. The cows aren't going to feed themselves. It was good seeing you again, Mr. Stone. Lily." I nodded to each of them, then hurried to the truck, their stares hot on the back of my neck.
This was the last thing I'd planned on happening and possibly the worst that could've happened. If Lee-Roy told Faith about this, and he would, there was no telling what she'd do. I got into the cab of the truck and busied myself with the keys in the ignition. I risked a glimpse of Lily and Stone, but the woman had already gone back inside. And Lee-Roy?
He was on the phone, walking briskly in the other direction.
"Shit." I'd bet my left nut that it was Faith on the other end of the line. "Fuck." I had to get back to Hope Creek and warn Eve about this before she headed into work and walked in on a fucking warzone.
I wouldn't put it past Faith to make her life hell, simply because she'd been with me. Faith's jealousy was catastrophic. Before she'd realized I was a 'nobody' back in college, she'd been over the top - desperate to shield me from other women.
She'd tried to make me stay home any time I'd wanted to hang out with the boys. And she'd eyed every woman in sight when we were out together.
I dug my cellphone out of my pocket and unlocked the screen, then opened up my contacts list and scrolled through to Eve's number. I hit dial, pressed the phone to my ear. The cellphone rang, then clicked to voicemail.
I checked the time and swore under my breath. It was already ten minutes until noon. Eve was likely on her way to work, already. I redialed and listened to the ringing again, then hung u
p. She'd left her cell at home, no doubt, and I didn't have Cassidy's number to call her and warn her about it.
I put my cell on the passenger seat, then started the engine. No use sitting around here waiting for the hammer to fall. The best I could do was hope Faith didn't go crazy and get back to Hope Creek in time if she did.
I tore out of Heather's Forge, ignoring the shocked looks of the passersby.
Chapter 17
Eve
I entered Cowboys n’ Cuts at five minutes to twelve, holding back a torrent of nerves. Last night with Joshua had been unbelievable, but it didn’t remove my core issue. I had a job working for his disgruntled ex-girlfriend and it was only a matter of time until she fired me. I’d be forced to move on to somewhere else.
I doubted Lily’s restaurant was ready to open, and I didn’t have any money to tide me over until it did. This was the end of the line unless I stayed away from Joshua, but that had become impossible.
Our connection made the thought of leaving painful. My heart thudded at the thought.
“Get it together,” I muttered and scanned the tables. They’d already started filling for the lunch hour rush. Bob stood at the grill, his chef’s hat slightly skew.
Cassidy waved from the register. “There you are,” she said, and smiled, but it was wan. Circles darkened the skin beneath her eyes.
“Hey,” I said, and strolled over to her. “You look exhausted.”
“Gee, thanks.” Cassidy stifled a yawn. “But yeah, I am. I was up late last night getting Charlie to bed. She’s caught the flu or something and she keeps crying.”
I grimaced. “That’s terrible, I’m so sorry.”
“It wouldn’t be so bad if Mama hadn’t left yesterday afternoon. She’s gone to visit her sister for a while, so we’re all on our own. I had to hire a sitter to look after Charlie today.” Cas sighed. “I’d give anything to be home with her, right now.”
I squeezed Cassie’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry. I wish there was a way I could help out.”
“Don’t worry about it. These things have a way of working themselves out. It’s taken me a while to figure it out, but problems are always worse in your head than they are out here.”
“Out here?”
“Yeah, you know, in the real world. I blow stuff out of proportion sometimes. I think we all do.”
“Well, I’ll fix you a burger and shake when I get on the grill, okay?” I smiled at her. “And I’ll buy you one to take home to Charlie, too.”
“That’s real sweet, Eve, but I don’t think it’s wise, what with Queen Bitch in the office over there,” Cassidy said, and nodded to the closed door opposite. “You know, it was abnormally quiet this morning. Less folks in the restaurant than I’ve seen since I started working here.”
I didn’t have to ask why. Word had obviously spread about Faith’s nasty attitude. No diner wanted to put up with that. Eating out was supposed to be stress-free and enjoyable, not laden with the possibility for a mental breakdown from one of the staff.
“Ugh,” I said. “You think that’s gonna work itself out?” I gestured to the door.
Cassidy’s expression darkened. “I don’t know. I just don’t know, Eve.”
A dull shriek exploded from the office and we both froze.
“What the heck was that?” Cassie whispered.
A group of customers who’d just entered and taken their seats exchanged wide-eyed glances.
Something crashed, an ear-splitting shatter of glass, and then thumping footsteps behind that door. “I don’t know,” I said, “but I think we’re about to find out.” I tightened my grip on Cassie’s shoulders out of sheer anxiety.
The office door burst open and Faith charged out, red in the face, her platinum blonde hair practically standing on end. She homed in on me like a pigeon with a letter, if this particular pigeon had decided to forgo delivering its letter and opted to peck eyeballs out instead.
“You,” she growled.
“Uh oh,” Cassie hissed.
“Did you really think I wouldn’t find out?” Faith asked, in a semi-shriek.
The folks who’d just entered turned and rushed out again, muttering amongst themselves. The door slammed shut behind them.
“What are you talking about?” I asked. Fuck the Miss Stone spiel. I wouldn’t play to her ego a second longer. Besides, she was already pissed at me for some imaginary slight. Or was it because I’d slept with Joshua again last night?
“Don’t play dumb with me,” she replied and charged over to the counter. “I know you asked Joshua to buy this place. I know you’re trying to get rid of me.”
“What?” My utter shock must’ve shown, because doubt flickered across Faith’s face.
“Don’t you dare lie to me,” she spat. “You’re using him against me. You think you can oust me from his life.”
“From his life? You’re not even in his life,” I replied.
“Uh, Miss Stone?” Cassidy licked her lips. “The customers are leaving.”
And she was right – table after table got up and walked for the door, most of them even had the decency to toss a few bills down before they did so. The rest turned up their noses or mumbled to each other, casting dark glances in Faith’s direction.
“I don’t give a fuck about the customers,” Faith snapped.
That induced another mass exodus, and these folks certainly didn’t leave any money behind.
“Stop it,” I said. “These are people you’re talking about. If you want to speak with me about something, let’s do it in the office where you can’t scare anyone off.”
“No. I want to talk about it right now,” Faith said. “You’re his lover. He said so himself.”
My pulse ticked up. Holy shit. He’d actually said that? His lover? I blushed and couldn’t hide it from her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. We haven’t discussed anything like that.”
“No? Then how come you slept over at his ranch again last night?”
“I –”
“That’s right,” Faith said, “I know all about it. You whoring yourself out for money is the talk of the town.”
“I don’t care about money.” But it came out feeble. I didn’t care about it. I didn’t care about anything except for the people who stood to get hurt because of this foolishness. Cassie was exhausted, Bob had been due to finish is shift five minutes ago, and Joshua –
“You’re nothing. You’re less than nothing. You’re a scumbag. You might be his lover now, but he’ll forget all about you in a couple weeks’ time. That’s how he is. He doesn’t care about you.”
“Hey!” Cassidy stepped forward and my hand slipped from her shoulder. Shit, I’d forgotten it was there. “Don’t you dare talk to her like that.”
Faith’s icy gaze switched to the waitress instead. “Or what?”
“Or – I don’t know, just don’t talk to her like that. Eve is an amazing person. She’s been there for me when I needed her, and she cares about this restaurant and the people in it. She’s a better person than you’ll ever be.”
Faith made a weird hissing noise reminiscent of an angry toad.
“Cassie, don’t,” I said.
“No,” she replied, “she needs to hear this. Faith, I’ve lived here a while, and I’ve got to say you’re the worst human being I’ve ever met. And I’m not the only one around here who thinks that. Bob does, too.”
“Don’t throw me under the bus or nothin’,” Bob mumbled from the kitchen.
Cassidy drew herself up, all five-foot-four inches, and stared daggers at Faith. “I’ll tell you another thing, Joshua isn’t a fool and that’s exactly the reason he chose Eve over you.”
With every word, Faith’s complexion darkened and hatred poured from her. It washed over me, over Cassidy, but the waitress was on a roll. Perhaps, it was the exhaustion which had pushed her to the edge.
“You need a wakeup call. You need someone to tell you how it is, because all that pretty isn’t going to f
ind you the man of your dreams. You’re ugly on the inside from all that bitterness. You need to sort that shit out before it eats you alive. You’re not hurting Eve or me or anyone else with it, only yourself. Understand?” Cassie flipped her red locks and popped a hip. She was fiery, sassy, and a total babe.
I couldn’t have admired her more in that moment. But I couldn’t let someone else fight my battles for me. “This isn’t between me and you, Faith,” I said, trying to douse the fire Cassie had stoked with cool words. “If you’ve got a problem with Joshua, you need to speak to him about it, not me. I’m not interested in getting caught up in your business.”
“You should’ve thought of that before you started fucking him,” Faith growled.
She was impossible, and no amount of yelling or discussion would help the woman see sense. This was over before it’d begun. I couldn’t work under these conditions. Either we found a middle ground or one of us would have to leave, and it wouldn’t be her.
My throat closed at the thought of quitting – leaving Cassie, my first true friend in years, and Joshua behind. And Charlie and Mama, too.
“Enough. Stop this,” I said. “We have work to do and there are customers who’ve left because of this argument. I’m not interested in this drama. I just want to cook a goddamn meal and live my life. Is that so much to ask?”
Faith narrowed her eyes at me, then looked over her shoulder at the tables, many of them with meals uneaten, bills unpaid. She snapped back to me. “I warned you. I told you if you slept with him again, I’d –”
“Fire me?” I asked. “Go ahead. I don’t care anymore.”
Cassie gasped and gripped my hand. “Don’t say that.”
“No,” Faith said, and a truly evil grin twisted her lips. “No, I’m not going to fire you.”
“You’re not.”
Faith shook her head and focused on Cassidy instead. “You, waitress girl, pack up your shit. You’re out of here.”
“What?” I went supersonic. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“No. I’m dead serious. The waitress let all the customers leave without paying. You’re fired,” Faith said, coolly, and stared down my friend. My only friend. My friend who was a single mother, who could barely afford to pay her bills as it was. “Get out of here.”