Chapter Twelve
Sunday mornings feel different in Wildhaven.
They’re quieter, and they move slower than they do in Vegas. Ruby hums to herself in the back seat as I pull my truck up in front of Ryse I laugh. “Right. There was one.”
Shelby’s eyebrows lift.
“My mother,” I explain, “who waited up all night. Luckily, I’ve been smoothing things over with my momma since I was a teenager—dimples, kiss on the cheek. Works every time.”
Albert chuckles into his coffee.
“And Ruby?” Shelby asks.
“She’s easier,” I say. “Five minutes of tickles, and she’ll give in to anything.”
Shelby snorts. “Tickles, huh? Don’t expect that to work much longer.”
Albert nods. “Trust me, daughters can be tricky.”
I glance at Ruby again, her face lit up like she’s just discovered treasure. “Yeah,” I say softly. “She’s already three feet of female sass. But those dimples—same as mine—work just as well on me.”
Imma Jean brings over a box and starts filling it with Ruby’s picks, letting her choose one of every item.
Albert gestures to the booth. “Why don’t you sit?” he says. “Join us.”
I shake my head. “Appreciate it, but we’re just grabbing pastries to go. Headed to the mercantile after to do some clothes shopping for Ruby.”
Shelby wrinkles her nose. “The mercantile?”
“Yeah. Figured we’d see what they have for warm clothes. There’s a big temperature difference between Vegas and Wildhaven.”
She stares at me like I just said I planned to dress Ruby exclusively in burlap. “That’s where cowboys buy coveralls and flannels.”
I scrub a hand over my face. “Yeah. I’m hoping they have something that will work for her.”
“If you’re lucky,” she says, “they might have one pink hoodie with a horse on it. In size fourteen.”
I sigh. “Damn. Looks like I’m driving to Jackson Hole.”
“There’s a women’s boutique on the corner,” she offers. “New. Cute stuff. Warm. Real winter clothes with a children’s section.”
Relief hits me fast. “Thank you. I clearly have no idea what I’m doing.”
Albert smiles. “Shelby could help you.”
She glares at him. “Daddy.”
Before I can protest, Imma Jean appears with Ruby’s hand in hers. “That sounds like a great idea. Ruby says you’re shopping for riding clothes, and our Shelby knows riding clothes.”
I hesitate. “Um, I don’t want to impose.”
Shelby opens her mouth.
Then Ruby looks up at her and says, “You do?”
Imma Jean answers for her, “She sure does. Shelby is one of the best riders around. She has won ribbons and everything. She’s even been on TV.”
Ruby’s eyes light up, and she looks at me. “Can she come too, Daddy? Please?”
“I think Shelby has plans, kiddo.”
Shelby’s shoulders sag. “Fine. I can walk down with you guys and help pick out a few things before I head to the market.”
“Yay,” Ruby says as she hops up on the bench beside Shelby.
I head to the counter to pay while Shelby mutters something under her breath about being volunteered. Albert just laughs.
“It’s the neighborly thing,” he says. “And he obviously needs the help.”
I glance back at Shelby and Ruby as Imma Jean takes my money.
“She’s adorable, isn’t she?”
“Which one?” I ask before I can catch myself.
Imma Jean grins as she hands me my change. “Both of them.”
I chuckle to myself.
Sunday mornings in Wildhaven.