Chapter 8
EIGHT
Grayden
I’d been back in Silver Ridge less than a week, but from the glares I’d been getting, it seemed like every last person in town knew who I was on sight. And had very strong opinions about my presence here.
Actually, the hostility was comfortable in some ways. I knew what to do with people who hated me. I’d had plenty of practice.
My baby sister, though? Hell, Grace was determined to smother me with love and acceptance. Something I craved but wasn’t all that comfortable with yet.
My phone buzzed. Probably my sister, because who the hell else texted me this early in the morning? Callum was more an afternoon/evening guy.
Grace
Morning! How’s today going for you? Another beautiful blue-sky day in Hart County, riiiight?
I blinked at her message. That was a lot of cheerfulness to spring on a guy before he’d had caffeine.
With my lips creeping into a smile, I wrote my response.
Me
Don’t sprain anything with that optimism. Since when are you all sunshine and daisies and frigging rainbows? That was always Cal
Hey, I can do sunshine! I’ve learned a thing or two from Piper over the years. And Callum is NOT the sunshine of the O’Neal family, he’s way too annoying
I shifted, glancing up from my phone screen because of Grace’s mention of Piper. I was on Main, right across the street from Silver Linings. Which Piper apparently owned.
I’d been catching up on a lot of developments in the last few days.
Piper hadn’t told Grace or Callum about me spending the night on her couch. She’d kept her word. I was grateful for that, but at the same time, I didn’t know how to read it.
Did it mean she was protecting my privacy, like I’d asked? Or that she wanted nothing more to do with me?
I’d dropped a few strategically subtle questions with Callum and Grace in the last few days. From them, I’d learned Piper was divorced, her ex was a waste of space, and she wasn’t seeing anyone. In fact, they couldn’t remember her dating anyone since splitting from her husband.
Interesting facts, that was all. No harm in collecting them.
Grace
Doing anything fun or exciting today?
No
Any leads on apartments?
No
Did you know you’re terrible at texting?
Yes
Fine be that way! But if I can help with anything, let me know. Please?
Don’t need you to be my cheerleader. Or my mom. Or my parole officer.
OK, grumpy. What about a good dinner? Dane and I would love to have you over again
I’ll think about it. Got lots to do
Good luck conquering the world today, but if you need me…
I know, I know. Thanks. I love you
love you
I’d already done Sunday dinner at her and Dane’s place, and it had been great. Really great, actually. Good food, easy conversation. Yesterday, it had been lunch with Callum and Zandra.
But I didn’t want them to feel like they had to take care of me or fuss over me. Didn’t want to disrupt the usual flow of their lives. I was used to navigating my days as a loner, and my reappearance in Silver Ridge hadn’t changed that.
In Seattle, I’d had a decent life. Acquaintances and occasional hookups instead of real friends. But I’d never fully settled in there. As if I’d always known I would end up back here in Colorado.
When I’d arrived in town, my plan had been to find a new gig as a tattoo artist. But I hadn’t found any tattoo shops operating in Silver Ridge, and my forays to operations in nearby towns had not been successful.
No help wanted currently, thanks.
I’d handed out my portfolio, but hadn’t heard a peep back.
Which left the idea of opening up my own place. I would need to rent a suitable location, jump through any regulatory hoops, pay for insurance and buy supplies and studio furniture. Fuck, it was a lot, and I didn’t have a ton of wiggle room in my savings.
I had to figure something out soon, or I’d be applying for other jobs.
Ranch or farm hand? I could lift heavy shit and work hard, if they could look past my record.
Or I could wait tables. Callum would probably hook me up, since he ran Hearthstone Brewing.
I didn’t want favors, but I’d pay him back by working my ass off.
Didn’t love the idea of my little brother being my boss, though.
As for a place to live, I’d been staying at a lovely spot called the Pine Cone Motor Lodge. From the yelling I sometimes heard outside my window, the place attracted trouble. I did not want trouble. So I needed out of there sooner rather than later.
I was giving myself another day or two to consider my options and wait for something to pop up. But with so little happening on the job front, I’d had far too much time to think. Time to sit around and read and enjoy the scenery.
Which explained why I was jogging toward Silver Linings right now. For the second day in a row.
I pulled open the door. The little bell chimed overhead. The guy behind the counter was the same clean-cut, athletic-looking kid from yesterday. His name tag read Dillon.
I walked up and nodded at him. “Morning. Could I get an espresso? Double shot.”
He eyed me for a moment. I started to wonder if I had something on my face. But then he said, “Coming right up,” and turned to the machine.
While he made the coffee, I glanced around the shop. A few customers were scattered at tables, mostly older folks with newspapers and laptops. A fire flickered behind an iron grate. A couple of women perused the bookshelves.
No Piper.
I’d left her place early the morning after Thanksgiving, not wanting to bother her after she’d already done so much for me. I’d figured things between us were okay.
But when she’d seen me at the coffee shop yesterday, I’d caught her staring. And then she’d hidden like I was someone she needed to avoid.
The smart thing to do would be to steer clear of her. Give her space. Let her pretend Thanksgiving night had never happened.
But if I steered clear of everybody who had some kind of issue with me in Silver Ridge, I wouldn’t be able to walk down Main Street.
“Is Piper here today?” I asked.
Dillon’s shoulders stiffened. He finished pulling the second shot and poured it, then slid the cup across the counter with a scathing look. “She isn’t available right now. Did you need something?”
“Just wanted to say hello. Is that not allowed?”
“Depends on your intentions.” He put his hands on the counter, lowering his voice. “I know who you are. I know you’re trouble. Piper doesn’t need that.”
“Is that what she told you?”
A blush crept up his neck. “She didn’t have to.”
Seemed like he had a crush, and that was cute. I picked up the espresso and took a sip. “Thanks. Nice and strong.”
Dillon didn’t respond, just kept watching me like he was waiting for me to do something that would confirm whatever suspicions he had.
Whatever. Hardly the only person in town who didn’t like me. My own brother couldn’t stand me, so take a number, kid.
I left an overlarge tip, just to prove I could.
On my way toward the exit, something on the bulletin board caught my eye.
HOUSE FOR RENT, mixed-use zoning, perfect for commercial and/or residential. Lots of potential!
I stopped and read it again. Lots of potential. That meant it was probably a disaster, which, honestly, sounded about right for me. The price was definitely right. As in, cheap.
I pulled out my phone and typed the phone number into my messaging app.
Maybe it wouldn’t work out. Maybe the landlord would take one look at my background check and tell me to get lost. But I had to take the shot.
It was that, or let my little sister take over as my life coach. I wasn’t quite there yet.
After downing my espresso, I sent a quick text to the number for the rental.
Me
Hi, interested in the commercial/residential lease. Still available?
Unknown
Yep! Feel free to swing by in a couple hours. I’ll be there. I’ll text the address.
Wow, this person was trusting, not even asking for my name or a copy of my ID first. But that was living in a small mountain town, where they didn’t worry about a potential renter being a serial killer.
Big city, this was not.
Shaking my head, I waited for the address to come through. When it did, I blinked at it, shocked by the coincidence. Not the house where I’d grown up, but the one right across the street.
The Landrys’ old place.
There were so many reasons I should forget about that rental notice and look for something else, not least of which the possibility that Piper’s family still owned it. After all, I’d seen the notice in her coffee shop.
But this was the only decent, affordable option I’d found that could fit my needs.
I’ll be there
If Piper was the landlord and decided to slam the door in my face, so be it. I’d already told her the story of my last commercial rental in Seattle, which had gone all kinds of wrong.
I’d just have to wait and see.