11. Ambrose #2
She bolted across the street without a care, leaving us blinking after her.
I swallowed hard as my gaze shifted back to Zeth.
We seemed destined to keep running into each other, even if it was to throw insults around.
But my, how wonderful he looked with his dark brown hair combed back and those amber eyes shining in the sunlight.
Yes, that was indeed a plus to the sunny weather.
When he turned to face me, I looked away to glance at the shop window of the barber.
The shop’s wooden sign was wonderfully crafted.
I was sure I could make such signs myself.
As I pondered it, my hand slipped into the pocket of my trousers, and I felt the ring I’d bought.
It was supposed to be an apology gift, but Zeth had me riled now.
“Congratulations,” he said, his voice cocky.
“I’m sorry?” I glanced at him again, clenching the ring in my fist.
Zeth’s face dented slightly. “On your success with Miss Winters. I’m sure you two will be very happy together.”
“Oh… Well, see, Annabelle and I are—”
“Tell me, you wouldn’t happen to have any rich friends looking to marry? Perhaps one who wouldn’t mind a thief and poor commoner for a husband? I need someone who doesn’t have a precious legacy to uphold.”
His words hit me like knives, cutting me deep, and I had to turn away to keep from breaking.
He probably wouldn’t believe me if I told him Annabelle and I were only friends now.
And I didn’t want to tell him, because a selfish part of me would rather Zeth hate me than see him with Annabelle.
I didn’t want him to be with her. He didn’t need to know she still fancied him, that she felt a…
spark. I wouldn’t be the one to make that union happen.
Letting the ring fall back in my pocket, I raised my chin and said, “Well, I may certainly know of someone, but you told me to get out of your life, Mr. Washer, so I can’t help you.” I tipped my cap at him. “Good day.”
Walking past him hurt more than his insults to me. When had I ever turned my back on Zeth like this? None that I could think of, and it pained me so much. I had to keep it together.
When I met up with Annabelle again, she peered around me. “Where is Zeth going? I was hoping to invite him along to the bookstore with us.”
“Oh, he had to get home,” I said, sure he wouldn’t want to join us while carrying those cans around. But good thing, as he would just continue to berate me the entire time.
Annabelle frowned briefly, but then she quickly perked up. “I’ll be visiting him and Millie soon anyway. Shall we continue on?”
I nodded, feeling despondent after running into Zeth.
My mind worked over our meeting. I would eventually have to tell him Annabelle and I weren’t courting.
Perhaps in the meantime, I could introduce Annabelle to other men.
That would keep her away from Zeth since she seemed adamant about seeing him.
When we arrived at the bookshop, my steps slowed. Damien Cooligan and his friends loitered outside around the doorstep. I groaned inwardly. Ezekiel Phillips gave a suggestive whistle as we walked up to the door, and I stopped and turned to him with a sharp eye.
“Hey, Amby, don’t look at me like that, I wasn’t whistling at you,” Ezekiel said.
I made a face at him for treating a lady so poorly. “Maybe you should keep your eyes down instead.”
“I’m torn. Really.” Ezekiel put a hand over his heart. The other guys all laughed and shook their heads.
“It’s quite alright, Amby,” Annabelle said with a measured glance around the gathering before addressing Ezekiel. “Misbehaving boys get their just punishments.”
Her strict tone had him standing straighter, clearly impressed. I was impressed too as she opened the door of the bookshop to walk past them. I followed quickly behind, thankful to be leaving the band of troublemakers. To my dismay, Damien trailed after me.
“Miss Winters, Amby. You both look well. Out for a stroll… together?”
“A friend’s day out,” Annabelle corrected, and I felt my face flush. Did she have to say that in front of him?
“Oh, really?” Damien flipped his blond braid over his shoulder. He only paid attention to me when he saw me getting cozy with someone else. “Well, maybe I can help one of you find some books.”
Since when did Damien like books? He didn’t even pay attention during the poetry meets. He was only there to socialize and act as if he owned the town.
“Thank you, but I do need to find the powder room first,” Annabelle said. “I’ll be right back, Amby.”
I put up my hand, my mouth opening to beg her not to leave me alone with Damien, but she whisked away. I was already in a foul mood from seeing Zeth. I didn’t need a shopping trip with Damien right now.
“Hm,” he hummed. “Maybe I can help you find something you might like in the back aisle?”
Sighing, I put my hands on my hips and shrugged. “Sure. I need a book. About… whales.”
Damien raised a trim eyebrow. “Whales?”
“Yes. Whales. They live in the sea. They eat… algae or something. Go find me that.”
“That’s oddly specific.”
I put out my hand and gestured at the bookshelves. “You said you could assist.”
“That’s not what I was offering, but come on then.”
He huffed, and I didn’t actually think Damien would take me to the right spot at all.
In fact, I expected him to do exactly as he insinuated and corner me in a back aisle—I wasn’t afraid to use my fists on him—but as he browsed through the shelves, I absentmindedly followed along with him, letting him look like a fool as he came to a section with books about gardening.
“I recall seeing something like that the other day,” he told me.
“Sure.” I turned my head to see the bookstore owner, Ollie Axford, coming out of the back room.
He nodded his head at me, and I greeted him back.
A few others sat in chairs in corners, reading quietly.
Nathaniel Rios was among them with a thick book about Everdeen’s history.
I never took the man for being a reader, as he was so absorbed in the distillery and spent his time throwing lavish parties, but I suppose I shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.
We stopped right in front of where Nathaniel sat.
“Ah, here we go.” Damien pointed with pleasure to a shelf where, indeed, there was one book labeled Whales.
My eyes widened as I pulled the leather book out, then I glanced over my shoulder. Where was Annabelle? Surely she was finished in the powder room by now.
“So,” Damien started chirpily, “What do I get for assisting you?”
“Nothing. But I am impressed you could navigate your way through a bookshop. It must have been hard for you.”
Nathaniel snorted from behind us, and Damien scowled at his friend before asking me, “You think I don’t read?”
“I really don’t care what you do in your spare time.”
“Oh, you found a book, Amby,” came Annabelle’s voice from behind. I looked over to see her smiling at me. “Ready to help me find one too?”
Nodding, I stepped away with my book and from Damien without a farewell.
Seeing Annabelle brought my spirits back up.
At least… until I thought about Zeth. Because the truth was, nothing good could come of us being friends if she was still interested in Zeth.
He made me feel like a gathering storm on the horizon, and it was only a matter of time before the clouds broke.