7. Zoe
SEVEN
ZOE
T he trip to town with Shannon really was an unexpected but welcome distraction from everything connected to Josh. I didn’t need anything, especially since we were hitting the feed store, but I was happy to get away from Lost Valley Ranch for a few hours and not think about being Josh’s arms.
I’d never set foot in Martin Ranch Supply in all my years in Poplar Springs, but Shannon was perfectly at home in the crowded shop.
I trailed behind her as she plucked supplements, treats, and buckets of mystery products from the shelves and loaded them into her cart, then followed her to the checkout.
“There’s my friendly neighborhood ginger,” the old man behind the counter said with a grin as Shannon plopped her purchases in front of him. “How’s life at Lost Valley Ranch these days?”
“Every day is sunshine, you know that, Mr. Martin,” she said, smiling back at him. Shannon pointed to me. “I don’t think you’ve met my friend Zoe. She’s staying with us for a bit, helping us update our website. ”
“Welcome! What do you think of Poplar Springs so far?”
I choked. “I, uh, I grew up here, but I’m happy to be back for a bit.”
Mr. Martin frowned. “Why haven’t I met you before, then? Especially if you’re friends with this one. Where do you buy your supplies?” He frowned at me and I was sure he was thinking I was someone who would drive to a different town to make my purchases.
Shannon laughed. “Oh, she doesn’t ride, and she doesn’t have any pets.”
“Is that a fact?” he asked, looking dubious that such a thing was possible. “Never and none?”
Shannon and I glanced at each other.
“I had a bad experience a long time ago. I fell off a horse and broke my arm,” I said, hoping it would end the conversation. I wasn’t going to mention my mother’s claim of pet allergies, which to my knowledge, had never been substantiated.
“It was Jude,” Shannon explained. “You know he’s not one to spook, but he got surprised by a snake.”
“Right, it wasn’t his fault,” I added.
It didn’t matter that Jude was a mellow horse. The fact was that the accident had left me perpetually wary of the massive animals—especially if they were less than three feet away. Even the life-sized fiberglass horse in a model saddle by the door made me flinch as I walked by it.
I felt slightly more at ease at the grocery store until I remembered that Hastings General Store was an unofficial gathering spot for the town gossips. I tried to keep a low profile while Shannon filled her cart and greeted various people I didn’t recognize .
But then I spotted a face I’d never forget at the end of the pasta aisle. Sure, the woman was a few years older, but the hairstyle remained unchanged, an immobile cap of dyed blonde hair that sat on her head like a helmet.
Mrs. Neuhaus, the nosiest neighbor on Honey Hollow Lane.
I tried to duck behind Shannon, but it was too late. I knew I’d been spotted when an overloud “Helloooo” rang out.
“Uh-oh,” Shannon said under her breath.
“Zoe Wilson, dear, I haven’t seen you in ages ,” Mrs. Neuhaus trilled as she barreled toward us and parked her cart so that it was blocking us in.
“How are you? And how are your parents? We’ve missed them around here since they moved.
Myrtle Beach, wasn’t it? Although I have no idea what South Carolina could offer that we don’t have here. ”
Well, other than miles of beaches and no busybodies. Or at least, different busybodies.
“Hello, we’re all doing good, thanks.” I bobbed my head and looked around for a quick escape.
“And Shannon, you’re looking healthy ,” Mrs. Neuhaus said, as she looked Shannon up and down as if she were a horse.
“Whatever that means,” Shannon said under her breath before giving the older woman a tight smile that looked far more like a grimace.
“It’s been too long! What’s new with you, Zoe? Married with a few babies at home, I’m guessing?”
I tried to keep my eyes from bugging out of my head. “Uh, no. Still just me.” I held up my left hand and waved my naked fingers at the woman .
“Oh.” She didn’t hide her disappointment, and I could almost see her struggling to come up with something else to talk about. “What about your job? Aren’t you doing something…computery?”
“I am!” I brightened, ignoring her tone.
“I do web design, both the back-end coding as well as the graphic design side of it. I’m actually going to be helping the Caffertys with the ranch’s website while I’m in town.
Most people don’t realize how important the coding side of it is; they assume that web design is just putting pretty photos on the internet.
I mean, that’s important too, of course, but there are aspects of the code that impact a website’s search metrics, which has an effect on visibility, and a major impact on the company’s bottom line. ”
I wanted to continue explaining, but I could see Mrs. Neuhaus tuning out as I spoke, her eyes darting around to see if there were any other victims in the near vicinity that she could latch onto and escape my boring explanation.
“And that’s me,” I finished awkwardly. “That’s basically my life.”
“How nice for you, dear,” Mrs. Neuhaus said with a fake smile. Ouch. “Well, as you might imagine, things have changed quite a bit on Honey Hollow Lane since you left. Remember Mindy Bartlett?”
I nodded. How could I forget the homecoming queen?
“Mindy just had her third baby! She and Jed have the perfect little family, and I just adore seeing them around town. And Brad Porter and his wife Lindsay are expecting their first. Hmm, who else?” She pursed her lips and squinted.
“Oh! Katherine Merrick just got engaged to that nice fellow she met in college! About time, if you asked me,” she said in a low voice.
Her eyes shifted to Shannon, and I realized that the inquisition was going to continue if I didn’t say something fast.
“So great seeing you again,” I said, mustering up as much fake enthusiasm as I could. “I actually have a conference call soon, so we need to finish up here and get back to the ranch.”
“Of course you do, you career woman,” she replied, making it sound like an insult. “Off you go to conquer the world.”
I managed a tight grin, and Shannon and I exchanged a look as we walked away.
“Phew, I’m exhausted just from listening to you two,” Shannon whispered to me.
“She’s too much,” I agreed. “But at least she didn’t point out my health status.” I grinned at Shannon, elbowing her side, and she laughed and rolled her eyes.
“Well, at least you don’t have to make any official announcement that you’re in town. Mrs. Neuhaus will do that for you.” I agreed. The local gossip network may well be twittering about my lack of a husband before the day was over.
We continued down the aisles, and I noticed a pack of preppy horse girls eyeing me and laughing behind their hands.
I glanced down at my outfit, then back at them.
They looked like they’d just come from the stables in their tall boots, tan riding breeches, and white-collared shirts.
Even though Poplar Springs was a cowboy town, there was still a strong English riding community that traveled the country competing in horse shows.
I remembered that type of girl from high school, the ones who thought they were better than everyone.
The difference was that back then, their teasing usually hit the mark, making me feel like a weird outsider. Now, I didn’t care. I’d developed a thicker skin and found the confidence I lacked in school.
Shannon stopped to speak to one of them and was asking about her horse.
The other girls instantly looked bored, and I ignored the side eye they were giving me while they finished talking.
“Well, I have two mares that will be foaling in the next few months, I’ll let your dad know when they’re born and you can come check them out,” Shannon said before we headed for the register.
I could have sworn more stares followed me.
It didn’t seem to matter how much time passed, Poplar Springs and the people who lived here would never change, and I’d always stick out.
I was more than ready to get back to the ranch.
I’d rather risk an awkward conversation with Josh than spend any more time in a town that made me feel like an interloper.