Chapter 2
BAILEY
“You’re awfully chipper this morning. Would that have to do with a certain someone you danced with last night?” Cheyenne asked, pinning her hair back for the day.
Sighing dreamily, I plopped down on her bed and gazed up at the popcorn ceiling. “I think I’m in love.”
Poking her head out of the bathroom, she quirked an eyebrow at me. “You’re acting like a lovestruck teenager.”
“Because I feel like one. I can’t believe this is finally happening.”
“You’ve been in love since Liam Parker walked into your life in kindergarten.”
“I know. Well, I don’t think I fell in love with him until sixth grade. Before that, it was just a childhood infatuation.”
“Right,” she snorted, walking over to her closet. “Because everyone knows in sixth grade who they’re going to end up with.”
I sat up, propping my elbows under me. “I did. It’s always been Liam.”
“Yet, you barely speak to him aside from the occasional times you see him around town.”
“And when he comes into the garage.”
She pulled a dress from the closet and studied it, holding it up to her chest. I shook my head, not approving of the color.
“Red is too bold for working at the bank.”
“You’re no fun.” She hung the dress back up, digging through for something else to wear. “I just don’t understand why you haven’t asked him out yet.”
“Well, I pretty much told him last night I was tired of waiting around.”
“So, in Liam’s mind, he’ll get moving in about ten years.”
“He’s not that bad,” I chided.
Poking her head out again, she showed me a green dress, which I immediately approved. “Sloths move faster than him.”
“That’s just the way Liam is. He’s always been quieter and reserved.”
“Around women,” she pointed out, tossing her pajamas into the bedroom while she changed in the closet. “Don’t you think that’s a sign?”
“A sign of what?”
She walked out, tugging down the dress as she carried a matching set of cowboy boots. “That he’s gay, obviously.”
I burst out laughing, sure she was just being silly. But when she didn’t laugh, I stared at her, completely baffled.
“How could you ever think Liam is gay?”
“He danced with you like a gentleman, he made no moves on you last night, and there are absolutely no rumors about who he sleeps with around town. That has to mean something.”
“Yes, that he’s discreet. And don’t talk about his lovers. That’s the last thing I want to think about.”
“Oh, come on, Bailey. I wouldn’t say anything, but before you run off and get your heart broken, just think about it for a minute.
The man is sex on a stick, but he never goes after any of the women in the bars.
You’ve never seen him around town with anyone, and you’ve never heard of him dating anyone.
It’s not that hard to put the pieces together. ”
“You’re so full of it. He’s not gay, and nothing you say can convince me.”
I shoved off the bed and headed to my own room to get ready. Enough of the daydreaming, I had to get to work. Maybe I’d see Liam today.
I was just slipping into my work pants when Cheyenne appeared in my doorway, looking just as glamorous as she always did. “You know, if you want to catch his attention, maybe you should choose a different profession than being a mechanic.”
“I like working at the garage.”
“Yes, but honey, you have grease under your nails ninety percent of the time.”
Frowning, I glanced down at my hands, wondering if she was right, but I always did a good job washing them.
“It doesn’t matter. If he likes me, which I know he does, he’ll want me no matter what my job is. Liam doesn’t care about that sort of thing.”
“I’m just saying, maybe he’d move a little faster if you shook something more than coveralls in his face the next time you see him.”
“Sure, I’ll put on a low-cut top just for him,” I said sarcastically.
“Maybe try doing something different with your hair.” She cocked her head to the side, grimacing at my ponytail. “It’s such a shame. You have such beautiful hair.”
“Get out of here. There’s nothing wrong with the way I dress or how I do my hair.”
“Well, if that’s all you’re going to do with yourself today, are you ready to go?”
“I’m surprised you ride in the same vehicle with me, seeing as how I’m so filthy all the time.”
“It’s better than walking. I wouldn’t want to ruin my boots. Besides, you do keep your car clean.”
“I’m glad you approve,” I teased, grabbing my bag and heading for the door.
Cheyenne and I shared an apartment on the south end of town. While we didn’t have the brilliant view of the sky-scraping mountains, we paid decent rent, and we were separated from the bustle of town.
Well, as much bustle as there could be in a town of approximately eleven thousand people.
“Good morning, Mrs. Abernathy!”
The crotchety old woman sat on her front porch, rocking back and forth in the same rocker she’d had for the last forty years.
“Eh!” she huffed, waving me off.
“That old woman hates me,” I muttered.
“She hates everyone.”
“Well, I’m going to change that,” I decided, bypassing my car.
I jogged across the street and up her front steps with a smile on my face. I was going to make this old bat like me whether she wanted to or not.
“Who invited you up my steps?” she cried out.
“I was just coming to say good morning and find out how you’re doing.”
“Harumph. I’m doing the same as I am every morning. My knees are aching and my arthritis is acting up. The cold weather will be coming in soon. I can feel it in my bones.”
“I had no idea you were a human barometer,” I teased.
“I can feel weather coming a mile off,” she scolded, her eyes narrowing at me as she struggled out of her chair.
I surged forward, reaching to help her, but she shook me off.
“Do I look like an invalid?”
“Of course not—”
“I may be old, but I can take care of myself better than anyone else around here.”
“I have no doubt—”
“You know, I used to run races around you when I was a child. Hard work—that’s what we were raised on. Now, we have these oil shops and cinemas and fast food restaurants. Nothing’s the same as it used to be.”
“Mrs. Abernathy, you’re not very fond of change, are you?”
“The only good that came out of change was when women could start wearing pants.”
“Well, I’ll agree with you on that one. Do you need anything before I go to work?”
Of course, it was a ridiculous question. Mrs. Abernathy would never accept my help for any reason, and just asking got her back up.
“Why would I need help? Go on with you. Git!”
“I hope you have a fantastic day, Mrs. Abernathy. It’s supposed to be sunny all day.”
“Not for long!” she shouted as I retreated. “We’re going to have an early winter!”
I held my hand up, waving to her as I ran across the street. Cheyenne looked bored to tears as she waited by the car.
“Did you have fun?”
“I did. I think I might actually get her on my side one of these days.”
“You know, it would go a lot faster if you brought Liam over. He would charm the pants off her.”
I stuck out my tongue and got in the car, determined not to think about Liam the rest of the day.