Grumpy Spring Sunshine (Seasons in Colorado: Spring #7)

Chapter 1

Keith

The one and only thing I enjoyed on a daily basis was running. It got me away from my work, my family, and sometimes my job.

Okay, most times my job.

Don't get me wrong, I loved being a business owner and I sure as shit loved tattooing people. But I also had to deal with people and when you’re already grumpy by nature, dealing with them even more than you have to, sucks ass.

But then, you live and learn, I suppose.

Not that it was a problem, not really.

I stopped, my hands on my hips as I caught my breath. I glanced around me, checking in the beautiful flowers that were starting to bloom, the green that was coming on the trees. This was always my favorite time of year, spring.

“Watch out,” someone called, and I jumped out of the way just as someone ran past, laughing hard.

“What the hell,” I muttered, stepping back on the walkway until two dogs chased after the woman, and I lost my balance, tumbling over in the grass of the yard. “Watch it,” I called to the dogs, who only stopped, turned, and ran back, their tongues licking my face.

“Chance, Bubbles, leave the grumpy guy alone, will you,” the lady said, coming back to me. She stopped right next to me, her hands on his hips, and a smile on her face. “Need a hand?” she asked, offering me hers.

I stared at it for a moment before taking it and standing up, my brow lifted.

“These are your dogs?”

“Yup. They love people though.”

I looked at them, at how happy they were, then at her.

“Ironic given that you’re a postal lady, aren’t you always chased by dogs or something?”

She threw her head back and laughed and I scowled even more. I didn’t think anything I said was funny, but I guess it was for her.

“What?”

“I don’t get chased by dogs. Which you would know if you actually, like you know, said hi on the street.” She stopped harassing me long enough to throw a smile my way.

But she wasn’t wrong. I didn’t say hi to her. But hell, I didn’t say hi to anyone, so she should know better.

“Don’t go there, Brittani.”

“Oh, he knows my name?”

I almost wished I could stuff the words back in my mouth. It made her far too happy and I didn’t like to do that.

“Yeah, well, hard not to know when this whole town went crazy over the new postal clerk who was this bubbly woman.”

“Did I ever do something to you, Keith, that I don’t know of?”

I paused, looking at her carefully, but her smile never dimmed. “How do you know my name?”

“The big bad tattoo artist who is also the town grump? Everyone knows him. And his famous cousin that is a lot like him. Though, I don’t think she’s as grumpy as you.”

“No one is. But I like it like that.”

She smiled even more over that and I scowled.

“You know, there’s usually a reason as to why people are grumpy like that. A past love gone wrong, family issues, other shit. Just trying to figure out why you are that way?”

“I have a great family. I just don’t like new people. I like my town just the way it is, and I don’t think that a ton of people need to keep moving here.”

She wrinkled her brows slightly and it felt nice to throw her for a loop. It also felt nice to see that smile fade slightly. She was far too bubbly and happy for my good.

“You really think that don’t you? That more people coming, falling in love with this place, wanting to stay here, is a bad thing. You don’t see it as more money coming your way or more money for the city. It’s just bad.”

“I don’t do well with people.”

“Right,” she said, crossing her arms before nodding at her dogs.

“They don’t like strangers. Certainly, don’t like men.

Yet they ran back to you, anxious for a new friend.

I wonder why that is?” She stepped a little closer, invading my space in a way I didn’t like, but didn’t stop, something I couldn’t understand about myself.

“Maybe, Keith, because you’re not the grump you think you are, or like you want people to believe? ”

I glanced at her dogs who were looking at me, tongues hanging out of their mouths, almost as if they were smiling, waiting for me to play some game with them. But I didn’t do that either.

Okay, that was a lie. I loved dogs and loved playing with my cousin’s. But I wasn’t about to tell her that because it would only give her a big head.

“You think you have me figured out?”

“Oh, no Keith, no one could do that because you don’t let anyone do that. Well, besides your family.” She glanced at her watch and then swiped her hand over her face. “This has been fun, but I have to get ready for work. Have a good day, Keith, and maybe we’ll run into each other again.”

She jogged back the way she came, whistling at her dogs to come. They paused, looking at me for just a second longer before they turned and followed her.

I let out a whoosh of air, feeling like I had just run a marathon.

I wasn’t sure if I could add it up to the fact that I was talking to her, that she had gotten a little too close with some of the things she had said, or if just being around her was making me feel things I normally didn’t.

Whatever the case, I knew I didn’t like it and I didn’t want a repeat. So, I was going to have to avoid her at all costs.

Which wouldn’t be hard given that I avoid everyone really. I didn’t talk to anyone, didn’t really look at anyone. And even when people sat in my chair, I was the king of small talk, nothing too personal. Even if the client shared, mum was usually my policy.

I glanced back down the way she came before turning around and heading back to my place. I needed a shower before I got ready for work because I had a packed day, just the way I like it.