Chapter Eight #2
Most of the shop owners in Higher Ridge didn’t mind that she liked to take her dog everywhere with her. She loved Belle so much, and it helped keep her focused, especially when she lost her parents. That time between getting Belle and losing her parents had been a nightmare.
Tillie took a sip of her iced caramel coffee as she left the shop, and she glanced around, noticing several people staring at her.
Rather than linger too long, she made her way across town, heading toward the sheriff’s station, but crossing over the road to Kate’s Fabric Shop.
The doors were closed, but the sign in front indicated it was open.
The moment she stepped inside, the doorbell rang, and it was a few moments before Kate appeared. Her dress was a little disheveled as she stepped into the main shop. She ran fingers through her hair, and she smiled toward her.
“Tillie, hi,” she said.
“Hi, Kate, is everything all right?” Tillie asked.
“Yeah, I’ve been wrestling with a fabric order. In fact, would you like to come and see?” Kate asked, coming toward her and flicking the sign on the shop door to ‘Closed,’ and locking it. There were no other customers, and Kate reached down to pick up Belle.
Tillie followed the other woman toward the back of the shop, and sure enough, there was a huge pallet of wrapped fabric.
“This was supposed to be delivered last week.”
“It’s Christmas fabric,” she said.
“Yep. I always make sure I get plenty in stock, and I like to have a variety between woven and knit fabric, just so people can order what they like. Christmas sweaters, pajamas, or outfits. You know how busy everyone can be at that time of year,” Kate said.
“You get it ordered early, and hopefully, it will inspire customers to order.”
Tillie felt a little uneasy as she stood in the back of the shop. “Kate, have you heard any ... rumors?”
“Rumors? What do you mean?” Kate asked.
“You know, in town?” She nibbled her lip and watched as Kate frowned.
“In all honesty, I’ve not been to town for quite some time. I’ve just been so focused on the shop.” Kate reached into the box of fabric and carried it across her small storage room. “Why? What nasty little rumors are they saying now?”
“They’re talking about you and Jaxson.”
This made Kate stop. “Me and Jaxson? What on earth for?”
“They say you and Jaxson are seeing each other.”
Kate frowned. “How is that possible, he’s dating you? Also, Jaxson is so not my type.”
“He’s not your type?”
“No.” Kate scrunched up her nose. “That is ... uh, I don’t know. Look, I don’t want to insult you or anything, but he’s not my type.”
Tillie laughed. “I’m not upset, but Jaxson seems to be every woman’s type.”
“This is just stupid gossip, Tillie. I hope you don’t think I would do that to you,” Kate said, putting the fabric against the wall and coming back to her.
“I know we’ve never really associated outside of work and all that, but I do consider you a friend, and I do not break the whole ‘girl code’ rule. ”
Tillie reached out and held onto Kate’s hands. “You’re right. I didn’t believe it myself, but I thought you should know.”
Kate put her fingers to her head and let out the sound of an explosion. “Honestly, that is what I think to all of that.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “Who is your type?”
“I don’t know ... Jaxson has always seemed so ... mean. He’s nice when he comes to work for me, and he helps me around the shop, but he has a lot of spite.” She shrugged. “I don’t even know what I’m talking about anymore.”
“Is there someone you have a crush on?” Tillie asked. Belle pawed at her legs, and she bent down to pick her little girl up.
“It’s ... uh, kind of silly.” Kate’s face had gone a bright shade of pink.
“Who is it?”
“Okay, but you can’t say anything. Do you promise?”
She didn’t even see what could be so bad. “I promise.”
Kate nodded. “You know Cruz Moore?” Kate winced as she spoke.
“Of the Moore Ranch?” Tillie asked.
“Yeah, well, my mom has a job as his housekeeper, and, well...” Kate stopped and groaned.
“Oh, my, you have a crush on Cruz Moore? Seriously? You think Jaxson is blunt and direct, and grumpy. Cruz makes him look like a child television star, always happy.”
Kate winced. “I know. I know.” She put her hands to her face. “Please do not say anything to anyone. I don’t ever want Cruz to find out, nor my mom.”
“I won’t. I promise.” She held her hands up. “Trust me. I don’t really have anyone to tell.”
“Please don’t say anything to Jaxson either, just in case he says anything.”
“I don’t think they’re friends,” Tillie said.
“Either way, please don’t.” Kate frowned. “I have to go up there and drop off ingredients for Mom, and it would make the trips really horrifying if he ever found out. It’s bad enough because even though Mom and I are in a rough patch, I still feel I have to help her.”
“Have you ever thought of asking him out on a date?” Tillie asked.
“Absolutely not. Please, he would not go for me, and besides, there are plenty of women that want him. He wouldn’t even think twice of looking at me.
” Kate shook her head. “And I’m not going to ask him out on a date.
I just couldn’t do that.” She clenched her hands together.
“Besides, I have this shop to take care of, and that is more than a full-time job.”
Tillie looked at her friend, and she couldn’t help but feel for her.
Kate was twenty-seven years old and spent the last five years completely dedicated to this shop.
Her mother had decided she had enough and ended up working at the Moore Ranch.
The older woman didn’t seem to help at all with the shop.
It was sad. She was aware that Kate originally wanted to be a fashion designer, then a creator of patterns, and now she ran a fabric shop.
“You know, there’s nothing wrong with you asking him out.”
“I know, I know. It’s all about the modern woman and all that. I get it.” She sighed. “I’m just not ready for that kind of rejection, and I know it probably makes me sound like a coward.”
“No, it doesn’t. I get it.”
“But you and Jaxson, that is really something. Are you sure you know what is going on there?” Kate asked.
“I have no idea.”
Kate laughed.
Tillie knew she had a lot to do, so she said her goodbyes and with Belle in her arms, left the fabric shop, but she wondered if there was any way she could help Kate.