Chapter 4
Zane
“Who, what, when?” I grumble, holding the phone from my ear as Isabelle nearly blasts it off with her sudden found excitement and enthusiasm. She’s calling to tell me she has the perfect candidate for the new office job. That was quick. Maybe a little too quick…
“See, you already sound cynical, and I haven’t even told you anything yet.”
“Well, I’m sorry if I don’t believe you ran out there already and found a suitable employee to replace Julie in less than twenty-four hours.”
“You’d be surprised,” she hums down the line.
I raise my brows at George, sitting across from me in The Dusty Spur Diner, with our mutual friend and local carpenter, Rich. “Fine. I’ll be back in an hour, you can give me all the details then. Just don’t make any rash decisions until we discuss it.”
“You asked me to help, and I’m helping,” she goes on. “The Ten of Cups tarot card came out of my deck this morning and told me that family harmony and emotional fulfillment is on its way. There’s a new chapter coming, Z, I can feel it in my waters.”
Pinching the bridge of my nose again, I try to comprehend her gobbledygook.
It’s too early in the morning for this shit. She means well and has a good heart, but we look at things from very different perspectives. And one thing I don’t do is dictate anything from a deck of freaking tarot cards.
“Seriously, sis? The ten of what?” I blow out a breath. With pressure mounting, I need to trust in the process, but Iz drives me nuts.
“Nevermind. I’ll tell you all about it when you get here.”
“Can’t wait.”
“A thanks would also suffice,” she huffs. Then I hear a woof in the background which sounds like Maisie, and Isabelle says she has to go.
“I’ll thank you if and when this whole thing works out,” I chime. Though that’s a stretch because I will probably do no such thing. I can’t be the only one of us kids trying to take the pressure off my parents in finding an appropriate replacement for Julie.
“Well, you’re welcome in advance,” she says before she hangs up.
I sigh and toss my phone on the table just as Sally-Ann wanders across with the coffeepot and gives us all a refill.
“You’re looking a little down in the dumps, honey,” she says as I grab the creamer and pour it into my cup.
Sally-Anne has worked here since we were kids, her bleach blonde haired piled high on her head is her signature look and has been for decades.
I’ve no idea how she secures that much hair and it doesn’t move an inch.
“Silly season is nearly upon us,” I state. “I’ve got a lot on my mind.”
Rich guffaws a laugh as George piques a brow and says: “You do?”
“Business is booming,” I mutter toward him, then glance back at our hostess. “And staff shortages are getting the better of me, and Mom and Dad.”
She gives me a sympathetic smile. “Well, if you need some cheering up, Jo-Beth will be in soon. She’s bound to turn that frown upside down.” She pats me on the arm as she continues her lap of the diner with her coffeepot.
Great. Just what I need, more chirpiness.
“Happy being single for the moment,” I mutter.
While I can’t deny Jo-Beth is an attractive woman; flaming red hair, blue eyes and the kind of Mountain West charm that you would probably expect from a country diner, she’s not my type.
I’ve known her forever, and while she’s sweet, she never comes up for air and she’s way too fucking happy.
I’m not saying that’s a bad trait to have, but I get enough of an ear bashing on a daily basis from my mom and sister. Overly boisterous people make me edgy.
Rich and George can’t contain their snickers as I finish the rest of my sourdough pastry and try to ignore their childishness.
“What’s wrong with JB?” George inquires. “She’s the perfect candidate to melt that gruff exterior of yours. Plus, she seems to be the only one, aside from Sally-Anne, who doesn’t yell Bah Humbug at you when she crosses you in the street.”
I grunt in response to that notion. Rude.
“I would agree if I weren’t a married man.” Rich waves his left hand up, just in case we forgot.
“Yeah, well, it’s okay for you. You married your childhood sweetheart.” George nudges him. “You don’t have all these women hassles we single guys do.”
“Trust me, I still have hassles,” he confirms with a wry smile playing on his lips. “But I still say I married the best girl in town.” Teresa and Rich have been together since they graduated from college several years ago. She’s definitely one of the good ones, and they have it together.
I’ve had two serious relationships over the course of my thirty years.
But nothing for a long time. The last relationship I had with Hilary ended in disaster; on her part, and my ex-best friend.
I don’t talk about that. I’m still angry.
We were together for four years and engaged for two, but apparently that means nothing these days. You could say I’m still bitter.
I dedicated myself to the farm after we broke up, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Though I can’t say I’ve been swimming in calm waters this entire time, rather, treading water and trying to keep my head afloat.
The increase in our farm sales meant me plunging in and making myself available wherever and whenever I was needed, leaving little time for anything else.
Work was a good thing because I needed the distraction.
Even now, I know my parents are worried I’m doing too much, but I come from a long line of workaholics, and it’s helped me get used to life on my own again. I prefer it. Women are complicated.
I wouldn’t admit it to anyone, but it’s also lonely.
The constant reminder when I get home after a long day’s work is the quietness of my cabin, nestled below the mountain on the vast property.
My house backs onto the woods, and the Alpine Falls River flows almost to my very doorstep.
It’s far enough away from the Lodge and the farm that I get peace and quiet.
“True,” I agree about Teresa, because for as long as I’ve known them, which is a long time, they’ve been very happy. “But back to Jo-Beth for a second.” I raise a brow at George. “If you think she’s such a great match, why haven’t you asked her out?”
George chuckles, chugging down the last of his coffee, then shakes his head and sobers. “Nope. She’s more like a sister to me, and being the sheriff of this town, I can’t go around breaking hearts. It’s a bad look.”
Rich chuckles. “He’s got a point. Men in uniform and all that.”
“Hey, I wear a uniform.” I motion to my flannel with the Lawless family emblem.
Rich screws up his nose. “Not the same thing.”
George pats me on the back. “Save it, big boy, we both know you’re worried because you have to find a staff member before the end of the week, you’re deflecting.”
“I’m not deflecting,” I defend. “It’s a stressful time of year. People are needy.”
“You knew the game when you got into it,” Rich reminds me. “Anyway, isn’t your sister interviewing?”
“Good news travels fast,” I mutter.
“Yeah, you should’ve seen her earlier,” George laughs. “She’ll hire a ball buster just to spite Z here.”
“Don’t remind me. I know she means well, but her idea and my idea of work ethic are two completely different things,” I say. “I need someone who can work hard and be nice to the customers.”
“Because you can’t?” Rich chuckles.
I flip him the bird. “You sayin’ I don’t work hard?”
“I think he means the ‘be nice to the customers’ part.” George gives me a knowing look. “You’re a self declared grump, bud.”
I frown. “Funny, I don’t ever remember declaring that to anybody.”
Both of them are well aware of my old drinking habits after Hilary and I were through. I’d get drunk every weekend until I passed out, somehow I thought that numbed the pain. I can’t say I’m proud of it, and my parents worried for a while, but that was a long time ago. I don’t do that now.
If it weren’t for my friends, I never would have made it.
“Oh, yoo-hoo boys!” The unforgettable, shrill coo sound of Jo-Beth’s chirpy voice rings through the diner. “How are y’all doing?”
My mom would say that kind of enthusiasm is better than being miserable, to which I’d usually offer an exaggerated eye roll.
“Great!” George smiles. “Looks like we’re in for some weather this weekend with these clouds rolling in.”
We’ve had some snow since late October, but nothing that requires my snowmobile yet. Much to my disappointment.
“I heard, and in celebration of the first real snowfall, I’m going to be making snowballs this year.”
My frown deepens. “I’m not sure there’s enough snow for that right now, JB.”
She laughs, shaking her head like I’m dumb. “The coconut covered snowball cakes I make for Butterfingers, silly.” She rolls her eyes. Butterfingers is the bakery in town that sells everything from fresh bread to sticky sweet pastries, desserts, and, apparently, snowballs now, too.
“Sounds delicious,” George says, always one to try anything new from Butterfingers. “Count me in.”
“I’ll order you a box for the Sheriff’s office.” She beams.
“What about you, Z? Part of the proceeds go toward helping with the local dog shelter.” She casts me a pointed, yet hopeful look.
Jo-Beth is a do-gooder from way back. Realistically, how can I say no to a dog shelter?
She means well. I’m just grumpy because of the mound of paperwork waiting for me back at the office.
George whacks me on the back again. “He’d love to order a box, wouldn’t you, Z?”
“I’m sure the staff will appreciate it,” I say, shrugging him off. “I’ll take two.”
She beams, running her hands down her apron excitedly. “Thanks, guys, I knew I could count on you. You can pick them up tomorrow after eleven.” She sidles off to take an order.
“If only she’d come work for you,” Rich sighs. “She’d revolutionize the place.”
“I know,” I say. “I already asked her last year, but Sally-Ann and Mrs. Thorne would kill me if I poached her for the farm.” Mrs. Thorne is the long-time owner of Butterfingers.
“You definitely don’t want every woman in town on your back for all the wrong reasons,” George agrees. “Better let Iz deal with it. She’s your only hope right now.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I mutter, knowing he’s right.
I don’t have time to interview. I’ve got trees to tend to and a business to run.
And now, apparently, snowballs to feed everyone with.
It’s just another Merry Christmas in Alpine Falls, Wyoming.
Even if I do enjoy this time of year, I’m not going to dress up like a dork and go overboard like everyone else in this town.
Someone has work to do, and it’s not gonna get done sitting here.