January’s Bad Boy: Shane (Bad Boys of Mustang Mountain #1)

2. Caitlin

CHAPTER 2

CAITLIN

When I agreed to help out at the outdoor store while Jonas and Jensen were gone, I figured it would be a good way to get out and talk to the townspeople. I didn't realize how much I'd like it.

As word got out about me filling in while the twins were on a family vacation, people came in just to talk. It made the days pass by faster and made me realize how much I really missed Mustang Mountain.

Everyone has been so nice coming in to chat and catch up, asking if I've heard from Jensen and Jonas and how their trip is going, and what my plans are moving forward. Then when I have downtime, I'm able to read because other than straightening things up and doing some small restocks, there isn't much else for me to do while they are gone.

Since we close in less than an hour, and I've already organized the shelves, I'm sitting at the desk reading when the door chime goes off, letting me know a customer is here.

Placing my bookmark in my book, I set it on the counter by the register and then look up to greet them.

"Welcome in," I say, smiling as Shane steps towards me.

"Hey." He returns my smile.

Since I've been here, this isn't the first time he’s popped in. He's been buying little things. The first time he bought work boots and stayed and chatted with me and Sage. The next time, he got a pair of work gloves and helped me bring some boxes from the back to restock the jerky that sells like crazy.

The last time he was here, he got sunscreen that he totally could have gotten at Ruby's mercantile a block down on Main Street. This makes me think that my brother has asked him to keep an eye on me while he spends time with his new bride.

I love my new sister-in-law, and she makes him happy. And it makes me happy when I don't have to see the two of them making goo-goo eyes at each other. So I'll take the eye candy that Shane is over my brother any day.

"Slow day?" he asks, since there is no one else in the store.

"Yeah. There have been a few people in and out, but it's left me plenty of time to read. I'm almost done with my book."

"My guess is it's because they are all down at the café trying the new burger they have on the menu. I just passed by there, and it seems like that’s where most of the town is," he says.

"Oh my gosh, a burger sounds so good," I say out loud because I didn't realize how hungry I was until he started talking about them.

"I was thinking of grabbing one myself. Want to join me when the shop closes?"

If it was anyone other than Shane, my brother's best friend, I'd think he was asking me on a date and I'd decline. But knowing my brother has probably asked him to check up on me and that includes making sure I eat, then I don't see why we can't enjoy a meal together.

"That sounds great," I say, smiling.

His face lights up, and those deep brown eyes draw me in.

When he smiles at me, my stomach jumps and does this weird flutter, and my heart races. Why am I reacting like this?I don’t have time to ponder it because Shane is asking me a question.

"Now, in the meantime, is there any recommendation for a good water bottle to keep my water cold while I'm working on the ranch?" he asks.

Walking around the counter, I lead him toward the room with the water bottles.

"I'm no expert, but this one is the one Jonas insisted I take with me on my last hike, and it did the trick." I hold up a green one with a mountain scene etched on it.

"I'll take it," he says.

We move toward the cash register so I can ring up his order.

"Finish your book," he says, after I complete the sale. He nods toward it on the counter where I placed it when he showed up.

Then he goes and sits on a chair by the door and picks up a magazine to read.

Yeah, I think to myself, he's definitely just here to keep an eye on me. Typical Atlas.

Picking up my book, I start reading. Every so often I can feel his eyes on me, and when I look up, he's watching me. I smile and then we both go back to reading. I finish just in time to begin preparations to leave.

"Good book?" he asks, joining me at the counter while I lock up the register and shut the system down.

I've never been happier for discreet covers as I am now because this is one of the dirtiest romances I've ever read. It's a new-to-me author that a girl in my online book club recommended, and I've been flying through her backlist.

I try to hide the blush that covers my face and would give me away.

"Yeah. So, tell me about this burger." I switch the topic as we prepare to leave the store.

He stands guard as I lock the door and tuck my keys away. I've always felt safe in Mustang Mountain, but I heard about what happened with the Savage Bones attacking the town last year. It made me start questioning how safe the town is. While I know that's all over, my nerves are still on high alert every time I open and close the shop. So, I feel better with Shane here.

Though, I won't tell him that because he would be here every day. I don't think I can handle that without embarrassing myself at some point by hitting on him in the most inappropriate way.

We walk together down to the café, and since we are in the middle of town, several people see us, so I'm sure it will get back to my brother.

"You have a lot of work to do on your ranch?" I ask as we walk.

"Yeah, no one has touched it in the few years since my parents died. At one point, Savage Bones were holed up there. They weren't very good tenants," he says with a smirk while looking straight ahead.

"I don't imagine they would be based on a few conversations I've had with Bex," I say.

Bex is the daughter of the Savage Bones president. I about killed my brother when she told me they met when he kidnapped her. But when Bex said he really was saving her, I let it go.

Now, my brother lives a very different life from when we were growing up.

"Is it in really bad shape?" I am worried that Savage Bones might have torn up more than he's letting on.

"No, the house is livable. It just hasn't been updated since the nineties and it shows. The bunkhouse needs to be fixed before anyone stays there, but I can't bring in anyone to help on the ranch until they have a place to stay. The barn is decent. I haven't seen any stalls that aren't usable right now, but I don't want to bring in animals until I have help. So, that means my focus has to be on the bunkhouse," he says.

It's the most I've heard him say at once, and I hate to admit how much I like the deep, raspy sound of his voice.

When we get to the café, he holds the door open for me. I step into the nice warm air, giving him enough room to come in beside me. Everyone in the café is talking, but the moment we come inside, they all go quiet and turn to stare. I've never seen anything like it.

Shane places a hand on my lower back, guiding me toward a table against the wall. I wish I didn't have on my thick jacket so I could enjoy the feel of it. He pulls out my chair and helps me take off my jacket before he sits down.

He's more of a gentleman than many of the dates I've been on.

I look around, and while there is a low murmur of voices, it's nothing like it normally is. People are still stealing glances at us and covertly watching us.

"You know what? I forgot how much it can suck being in a small town. People want to know the gossip and apparently, me being back in town is big news. I can't tell you how many people come into the shop just to see if it's true that I'm back home." I end my rant when I see the sign on the table advertising their new huckleberry burger.

"What can I get the two of you to drink?" the waitress asks. She looks like she's in high school, but I have no idea who she is. I waited tables here in high school too. It’s a good job and generally the tips are decent.

"I'll take a coke, please," I say.

"I'll do the same, and I think we both want to try the new burger and fries," Shane says, looking at me and I nod and smile.

"I'll go ahead and put those in." She writes on her notepad and walks off.

"They aren't looking at you or gossiping about you. It's me they can't seem to leave alone," Shane says once she leaves.

"And why is that?" I want to know.