Chapter Three #3
“She loves kids,” Cole said. “I don’t think anyone loves them more.”
Wyatt grinned. “Thank goodness. Even with four of her own, she still babysits Caleb for us and Will and Hattie for Jake and Becca.”
Liv sighed contentedly. “She’s a natural.”
Cole glanced down the long aisle of leather reins and cinches gleaming under the skylights. “I hate to cut this short, but I need fresh leads. Business has picked up since Jake retired.” He shook Wyatt’s hand, gave Liv a quick hug. “Good seeing you both.”
He moved toward the back, breathing in the rich smell of tanned hide and sawdust, and paused before a display of braided leads. His hand hovered over the supple leather when a voice rang out from somewhere near the counter. Soft, familiar, utterly irresistible. He froze.
Why would she be here?
He gathered several lead ropes and made his way forward, heart pounding. At the register stood Aftyn, ponytail high, eyes fixed on Junior the young clerk as she handed over her phone.
“Aftyn?”
She turned, and her face lit with a smile that made his chest tighten. He wasn’t sure what she was doing to him, but he wasn’t complaining.
“Hi, Cole.”
“What are you doing here?”
She nodded to Junior who held her phone, the screen catching the light from the dusty shop window. Cole knew right away it was her sister. The resemblance was uncanny, same heart-shaped face, same blue eyes, though lacking Aftyn’s warmth.
“Going through every shop in town to see if anyone’s seen her.” Her fingers tightened on the strap of her purse. “I have a feeling she’s still here. Or close.”
“She looks just like you.”
“I told you.” Her voice dropped. “That’s how she got my money.”
“Hey Cole, need some help?” Junior asked, carefully handing the phone back to Aftyn and shaking his head. “Sorry, I ain’t seen her.”
“I haven’t seen her,” Cole corrected, then winced at his own boldness.
“Did she ask you too, Cole?” Junior’s brows furrowed. Cole bit back a grin. He could see Aftyn doing the same, her lips twitching at the corners.
“Well, thank you.” She glanced at Cole, sunlight catching the red in her hair. “Have a good day.”
“You too.” He touched the brim of his hat and watched her go, the bell above the door jingling softly in her wake.
He set the lead ropes on the scarred wooden counter and waited while Junior rang them up, then told him to put it on his account. Junior nodded, scribbling in a faded ledger. Cole just hoped he remembered.
Outside, he stood on the concrete steps and squinted across the sun-drenched street in time to see Aftyn disappearing into Timeless Treasures, the antique shop owned by Vanna Collins, fiancée of his good friend Grady Henderson.
Cole jogged down the steps, tossed his purchases onto the truck seat, locked up, and crossed the street, dodging a slow-moving pickup before pushing through the antique shop door, the bell announcing his arrival.