She joined her husband behind the counter and slipped on her glasses, looking at Ruger over the top with curiosity. “You best be careful, son. Those pretty girls have a way of drawing a man in.” She winked.
“Leave the poor man alone, Es,” Joe chastised.
“What am I doing to harm him? I’m only saying the truth.” She lifted her palms and sighed. “Am I bothering you, Ruger?”
He opened his mouth but before he could reply Joe interrupted with, “No one wants to come in here and have you dissect their personal life. Let the man shop in peace.”
“I have a right to speak my mind, hubby!” she groaned.
Feeling like the rope in a game of tug of war, Ruger asked, “How much longer do you think on the paint?”
“I’d say about twenty minutes, give or take.” Joe powered on the mixing machine, still scowling from his quarrel with his wife.
“I’ll be back. I have some other errands to run. I’m taking this too.” Ruger grabbed the clog remover, gladly leaving the bickering couple. He strolled down the sidewalk, running into Lance Caraval who was sweeping the sidewalk in front of his shop. The tall, lanky man had a head full of bushy black hair and a long bushier beard.
“How’s it going, Ruger? The ranch coming along?”
“It’s coming.” Ruger roved a glance toward the corner market. Lance and Ruger’s pa had been best friends.
“Glad to see it, son. How’s your mother?”
“Needing some plumbing work done. Think you can schedule her soon?” Every time Ruger saw the older man, he felt a twinge in his chest. There were a lot of memories from his childhood that involved Lance. Fishing. Barbecues. Camping, reminding Ruger how much he missed his pa. The man had worked tirelessly every day, so it only seemed natural that even in the last stages of his life he’d still worked. Drew had been a prideful, stubborn man who refused to be treated like a patient. Even when the pain had become unbearable, he’d trekked on and never complained. Ruger hoped he could be half the man his father was.
Ruger couldn’t count the number of times he thought about his pa throughout the day. How many times he regretted that they hadn’t spent more time doing the things they enjoyed. Fished more. Rode horses more.
“Ruger? Did you hear me? She said she wasn’t ready to have me come in.”
“I don’t think it can be pushed off any longer. What’s wrong, buddy?” Ruger saw the discomfort in the man.
He shoved his hands into the pockets of his overalls. “I wanted to speak to you about something.” He looked a bit pale.
“Sure. Spit it out before you pass out.”
“I don’t want you to think I’m being disrespectful, you know toward your late father, but do I have your permission to ask Hannah out on a date?”
Ruger felt his own discomfort at the question. “Well, Lance. I’ve known you all my life and I think you’re a good guy. I think if Ma agrees then I don’t see a problem.” After seeing the proud smile burst over Lance’s face, Ruger thought it was best not to tell the other man that he wasn’t the first here recently to ask permission to date Hannah.
CHAPTER FIVE
IF GRACE PLANNED on staying in Cooper’s Hawk exceptionally long, which she did, she needed a more fitting wardrobe.
The rustic shop had rows and rows of jeans, tops and a selection of cowgirl boots. With the help of the owner, Shay, Grace was able to find a few outfits.
“With your figure you can wear anything. I have thunder thighs and it’s harder for me to find a perfect fit.” Shay gave a dramatic sway of her flared hips. “My mama called ‘em birthing hips. Here, you should try these too. They just arrived this morning.”
Grace hadn’t worn a sundress in years, but the flowing material was soft and pretty so with some gentle convincing from Shay, Grace decided to buy two, along with a pair of boots.
Arms full, she and Shay laid the items on the counter. While waiting, Grace checked out a display of fashionable sunglasses. A beautiful, tall brunette swept in, pushing a stroller, looking frazzled from the fussy cries of her baby.
The woman gave Grace an apologetic smile. “He’s teething. Poor fellow.”
“Hi, Mindy,” Shay said. “I have your online order in the back. Just as soon as I’m done ringing Grace’s order up, I’ll grab your items.”
“I have quite a few things. Go on and help her. I can wait,” Grace offered.
“Thank you so much! By the way, I’m Mindy Hawke. And you’re Grace? You’re the new girl at Wilder Ranch, right?”
“Yes.” The good thing about Cooper’s Hawk, Grace didn’t have to do much explaining about who she was or what she was doing there.
Mindy picked the baby up and kissed his red cheek lovingly. She rocked him and his cries quieted. “He’s such a good baby but my-oh-these teeth will be the death of his mama.” The baby cooed. “Oh, you think that’s funny, little man?” She tickled his double chin.
“What’s his name?”
“Nic.”
“Found your order.” Shay popped out from the back. “I promise you, Mindy, this sundress and blouse is going to look fabulous on you.” She stopped to peek at the baby. “How’s he doing?”
“He’s doing fantastic most days,” Mindy said. “Now I wish I could say the same for his mother.” She grabbed a pacifier and used it to soothe him.
“Oh no, what’s wrong?”
“Where do I start? Why did Creed and I ever think building a new house while having a newborn would be the best thing? Anything that can go wrong has, twice. Not to mention, I’d hoped by now I’d have shed these last fifteen pounds, but no luck. So, that means I need to buy new clothes so I can get out of the sweats phase.” Mindy laughed.
From Grace’s standpoint, Mindy looked slender and fit. After Grace had Caroline it took her almost a year to lose the baby weight. It didn’t compare to the weight of sorrow in her chest.
“Sorry,” Mindy said to Grace. “I’m blubbering.” She must have misread Grace’s frown as irritation.
“It’s okay.” Pressing a smile to her lips, Grace explained, “I’ve enjoyed meeting people. Everyone is so nice.”
“Give yourself a break.” Shay slid behind the counter. “It’s only been a few months since little Nic came into the world, but you know I’m always ready to help you redo your wardrobe. Take my word, you’ll love those items we ordered. Forgive my manners. Mindy, have you met Grace? The newest resident of Cooper’s Hawk.”
“Yes, we introduced ourselves.” Mindy placed the now-calm baby back into the stroller. “I’m usually not this fatigued. I just came from the new house and the builders have had to stop construction for a few days. It’s a crazy mess. Anyway, Wilder Ranch, huh?”
“Yes, Wilder Ranch.” Grace laid a pair of sunglasses on the counter. “I’ll take these too.” She didn’t want to rush Shay, but she still had to grab supplies at the market.
“You’re certainly the envy of some gals.” Shay folded the clothing.
“Envy?”
The two other women glanced at each other. “Well, since his divorce, Ruger has been quite the catch, but no one has had a strong enough fishing pole.” Shay wagged her thin brows.
Clearing her throat, Grace explained, “I’m only an employee.”
“Aren’t you two living together out there in that house?” She paused in ringing up the items.
“Let’s not interrogate the poor girl,” Mindy intervened.
“Oh, sorry. I get carried away sometimes. Oh shucks. I need to step in back and grab some more plastic bags.”
“She means well,” Mindy said once Shay disappeared into the back again.
“It’s okay. This is a small town and I realize people are curious.” Grace glanced at the clock on the wall.
“Creed told me Ruger had hired someone to help out at the ranch. Girl, I admire your fortitude. The place needs a lot of work. Anyway, you’ll need a break. When this little fellow is feeling better, I’ll invite you over for dinner. We need to giv
e you the red-carpet welcome to Cooper’s Hawk. Right, Shay?”
The owner hurried back with an armful of bright pink bags. “That’s right, and that’s exactly why I’m giving her the VIP discount.” She packed up Grace’s purchases.
The women were being so nice she almost felt guilty for being in a hurry. “Thank you, Mindy, but Ruger said we don’t have time for days off,” Grace admitted.
Mindy broke out into laughter. “Honey, don’t let him scare you with his bear growl. Trust me, he’s as cuddly as a teddy bear. He’s just under a lot of pressure to get the B&B up and running. Don’t you worry about him. I’ll have Creed invite him too.”
Grace’s stomach twisted. Dinner at their house with Ruger? He was quite handsome, but she wasn’t here to have dinner with a man and his friends. It seemed too…what? Personal?
“Expect to be hearing from me soon with the details. I’m over at Sage Ranch. It’s always nice to get new blood around these parts. All right, Shay. I best be on my way. Thanks for your help. See you soon,” she said to Grace then left.
“Now that’s a love story.” Shay leaned in as if someone might overhear. “She left Cooper’s Hawk, came back, and she and that sexy Hawke husband of hers picked up where they left off. He forgave her for keeping a secret all those years.”
“A secret?”
“That he was the father of her daughter.” Shay giggled and tapped a key on the register. “All right, honey. You ready for your total?”
Grace paid, surprised that she had spent only a fraction of what she would have in the city. and Shay handed her the two bags.
“You come back, you hear?”
“I will. Thank you for all your help.”
The temperature had risen so Grace started sweating before she made it to the corner market. Panting, she grabbed a small cart, dropped her bags inside, and stood there at the produce aisle for a long minute staring. Her shopping skills at the clothing boutique didn’t transfer to the market. She felt like a fish out of water with no clue what Ruger liked to eat.
She reached for a couple bags of salad when she heard, “Can I help you with anything, dear?”
“I didn’t bring a list with me and I have no clue what I should buy. I need food supplies.”
“Let me guess, are you Grace?” The short woman with curly silver hair and bright blue eyes gave her a genuine smile.
“Yes. I’m beginning to think that I stick out like a sore thumb. Do I look like a deer stuck in headlights?”
“Don’t take offense to it. We’re all just a bit curious. We don’t get many new faces around town. I spoke to Chynna earlier and she said you had arrived. Now, what were you saying about supplies? I might be able to help you out a tad.”
Grateful for any help she could get, she said on an exhale, “I have to pick up food to make for the next couple of days. I’m afraid I don’t know what my boss likes. He’s a bit grumpy and I thought maybe a good meal might help him. What do cowboys like to eat?”
“Honey, you’ve come to the right place. I’m Hannah and I’ve cooked for a few cowboys in my time. Here, stay away from the bagged salads because they’re a waste. Expensive for the convenience and won’t feed but two mouths. Grab one of those fresh iceberg heads over there.” When Grace hesitated, the older woman’s eyes narrowed. “You do know how to cook, don’t you?”
Her first impulse was to say “yes” but she couldn’t hide the truth from the friendly woman with kind eyes. They almost felt familiar in some way. “I’m not much of a cook. Never have been. You see, I need this job and if I told Ruger the truth, he would have sent me back home on the bus.”
Hannah scratched her temple. “I always said sometimes you must fake it until you make it. If you can read, you can follow a recipe, and I don’t mind sharing some of my favorites. Start easy and build yourself up. Come on, let’s fill this cart.”
In twenty minutes, the cart was full of everything Grace could possibly need. The only worry she had was how much she’d spent. “I can’t go over a budget.”
“Don’t worry.” Hannah patted her hand. “Ruger has credit here.”
“Good. Can you tell I’m a little nervous?”
“I was younger than you when I moved to Cooper’s Hawk myself,” Hannah said as she helped Grace unload the cart. “I loved the city, but I fell in love and to cut a long story short, I’ve been here more than half my life. I’m still in love with that man, although he’s been gone too long.” A sadness crept over her silver eyes which she quickly blinked away.
“I’m sorry.” Grace understood that each person had their own timeline of healing. There were moments when she thought she’d finally started grieving, but then the pain arose again.
“He lived a good life—we lived a good life. It’s all in how you live each day that matters.” She shook out a brown bag and placed the groceries inside. “I hope you enjoy your adventure here in Cooper’s Hawk. Much better than any city I’ve ever been to.” She winked.
The bell dinged above the door and Grace looked up and did a double take. Ruger strolled in, looking handsome with his white hat, broad shoulders and nice fitting jeans. He ate up the space between them with an allure that only came with confidence. His chin was set at a rugged slant and his eyes were narrowed when he saw her.
Her knees wobbled.
“It’s a scorcher out there.” He swiped off his hat and pushed a hand through his hair. “Looks like you’ve got everything.” He swept his gaze over the bags.
“I’m ready. I’m sure you’re wanting to get back to the ranch.”
“Here in Cooper’s Hawk we don’t pay much attention to the clock, do we, Son?” Hannah chuckled.
“No, Ma. I guess we don’t.” Ruger wrapped his arm around the elderly woman’s shoulders and kissed her cheek. “Brought you some clog drainer, and I set up a service appointment to have Lance come in and take care of the issue permanently.”
Grace blinked. Hannah is Ruger’s mother? “He’s your son?” Oh no. Would she tell him that Grace couldn’t cook? That she called him grumpy?
“Yep. He’s my son.”
Grace stood there in silence. That was the familiarity she saw in Hannah. She and Ruger favored.
“So, what have you two ladies been talking about?”
Grace saw a new softness about him. He loved his mom, evident in the way he looked at her.
“Girl talk, nothing more. I told her how I came here to live. Took some adjustment time, but it was the best decision I ever made.” Hannah beamed.
“Now she’s a country girl through and through.” Ruger chuckled. “Sorry. I guess I should have told you my mother owned the market.”
“If you need anything, Grace, you know where to reach me,” Hannah offered. “Don’t let my son work you to the bone. He’s got a one-track mind when it comes to that old ranch.”
Grace had a feeling that even a tornado couldn’t drag Ruger away from work. “I don’t think he’ll listen to me.”
“His pa was the same way. He wouldn’t listen.”
“Plenty of time for rest when the work is done. Can you handle emptying the container into the toilet?” Ruger asked his mom.
“I should be able to manage that. If it works, I’m calling Lance and canceling. I don’t need a plumber,” Hannah said stubbornly.
“Don’t you dare,” Ruger said gently. He grabbed the two bags of groceries. “Ready?”
Grace nodded. “Yes.” She took the pink bags and followed him outside. “You really should have told me she was your mother.”
“Did you say something you shouldn’t?” He lifted a brow.
“Was this a test?”
“Maybe,” he answered honestly.
He shifted the bags in his arms. “Don’t worry. She won’t say a thing if you did.”
“She’s nice. I like her. Are the bags heavy?”
“Nah, I can handle this.”
“So, your mom mentioned your dad. Sounds like they had a true love story. There mu
st be a lot of those around here.” The breeze came along and swept over her, making her feel better. She wasn’t acclimated to the heat yet.
“I guess you could say that.” A couple walking toward them on the sidewalk greeted Ruger.
Her arms were getting tired with the bags of clothes and he walked so fast. “Can we stop for a second?”
“Here. Take a seat on the bench.” He set the grocery bags down next to her. “You’re used to breathing in thick air. Your lungs need some time to adjust. I’ll run in here and grab you a water.”
Grateful for a moment to grab her breath, she watched Ruger through the large window of the bakery. The pretty woman behind the counter lit up like a Christmas bulb when she saw Ruger. What followed was a wide smile and a flirty flip of her long hair. No doubt a man like him would have lots of attention.
In just a matter of an hour she’d learned a lot about Ruger.
He’d been married, now divorced, which must have been painful. She’d seen something genuinely warm back at the market, unlike the rugged, almost harsh, man she’d been witness to until then.
He dipped his hat at the woman and strolled back out, handing Grace the ice-cold bottle. She uncapped it and drank thirstily. “I’m assuming this happens a lot?”
“Labored breathing? Yeah. You’ll probably notice it more when you get up on the mountains.”
“Is that your way of promising a break?” She stood, feeling much better.
“I’m not too mean. You’ll have a break.”
They started walking again, but this time he demanded he take all but one of the bags which helped her tremendously. “I guess I bought too much.”
He chuckled. “I parked too far away.”
“I ran into Mindy Hawke.”
“She’s my buddy’s wife.”
“She seems sweet. She wants to invite us to dinner.” Grace smiled at a young woman they passed. She liked how friendly everyone seemed. “People are very open.”
“Yeah?”
“They like to talk here.”
“Did you hear something?”
“Divorce is never easy.” She looked up in the sky as a noisy two-seater plane flew overhead.
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