Chapter 9
It’s been a rather quiet day in the bakery today, which is a little odd for a Saturday, but I am super grateful for a much needed slower pace.
Sarah and I were able to catch up on a few orders and even had time to reorganize the kitchen without any interruptions, and it felt really good to get a lot done.
We’re busy washing the windows when I see Harper walking up to the door. Placing the wet cloth back into the bucket, I dry my hands on my apron and greet her as she enters.
“Hi, Harper. How are you?”
“Hey, I’m doing okay. Really looking forward to going to Buckles tonight. I could use a good drink with friends. What about you guys?” She smiles, making her way closer to the till, meeting me there.
“Just enjoying the slow day,” I tell her.
“How are you not sweating to death in that sweater?” Sarah asks her, mouth agape.
Her cheeks flush, and when she reaches up to tug at the neck of her sweater, I freeze when I see what looks like bruising wrapping around her wrist.
“I’m just cold today.” She laughs nervously.
I look at Sarah but she doesn’t seem to have noticed what I did.
Maybe I’m wrong and it was just a shadow.
“I was actually coming in to ask if I can hang up a flyer advertising the book club with our next month’s pick on your bulletin board? ” she asks, holding up the flyer.
“Absolutely!” I tell her.
“Perfect, thanks! Oh, what time should we meet at Buckles?” she asks us.
“Does eight sound good?” Sarah asks, and we both nod.
“Perfect. See you guys later!” Harper yells, leaving the shop after hanging her flyer.
Once the door closes behind her, I turn to Sarah. “Did you see anything on Harper’s wrist?”
Sarah looks at me, brows furrowed. “No. What was on them?” she asks.
“Hmm. Maybe it was just shadows then. I thought I saw a bruise.”
“I didn’t notice anything, but I can look tonight.”
The bell above the door chimes, and Sarah lets out a quiet groan when Mrs. Ira and the knitting ladies walk inside.
“Hi, ladies,” I greet.
“Afternoon, girls,” they all chorus, making their way to the counter.
After each one of them has their orders and are seated at a table, I walk past to grab my washing bucket when Mrs. Ira starts talking.
“So, Jadie. I couldn’t help but notice that a certain man in uniform arrived with you last night and was still there when I went to bed. And then wouldn’t you know it, I saw the two of you leaving together this morning.”
My cheeks flush, and I hear something clatter from the back of the room. Turning, I spot Sarah, who is giving me a death glare.
“Hot man in uniform?” she asks with her brows raised.
“Oh! Didn’t Jade tell you? She and Sheriff Donovan are getting down together, if you catch my drift,” Mrs. Ira tells her, waggling her brows over her glasses.
The table of ladies lets out a chorus of “awes” and “about times” and I fiddle with the edge of my apron, wishing the floor would swallow me whole.
Sarah pins me with a look and crosses her arms. “Hmm. No, Mrs. Ira. She must have forgotten to mention it.”
I shrink under her glare and continue on with my bucket of water when Sarah follows me to the back.
“All right, spill. Please, for the love of all things, tell me you got laid last night.”
“Sarah.” I flush, looking around even though I know no one can hear us.
“Well? Was it good? Is he big?” she asks, jumping onto the counter and swinging her legs. “Those arms of his are huge. I can only imagine he’s packing some serious heat. And I’m not talking about his gun.” She giggles, and my face feels like it’s on fire.
“He only came over for dinner last night, that was it. And then he came back this morning to give me a ride into town. That’s all. Nothing happened,” I relay.
“Okay. So, how was dinner then? What did you guys do?”
“We just ordered some pizza and sat out on the patio. It was nice.”
“Soo, are you going to see him again? Any plans to get down with it, as Mrs. Ira would say?” She lets out a cackle, and I just shake my head.
“I think this is really great. I know that Mason, or whatever his name was, really messed you up back in college. Not that you’ve ever actually shared those details,” she says, taking a break to glare at me.
“But I’m glad you’re giving West a chance. ”
The last time I had a boyfriend didn’t really go well.
In fact, any time I’ve had a boyfriend it hasn’t ended well.
Maybe I’m cursed. Mason was the first person I got close enough with to try being intimate with after my attack, and he told me my scars were a turn off.
I broke up with him and haven’t dated or let anyone get close since.
I can’t take that kind of criticism again.
My scars are permanent and a part of me.
There’s nothing I can do about them. Some days, it’s still hard to look in the mirror.
“Sarah, we literally just started talking. Slow down and give it time. I’m really enjoying getting to know him, so I’m not opposed to seeing where things go, but let’s not rush or have any expectations.
But, to answer your question, yes. We actually have plans to go to the fair together next weekend,” I tell her, glad I can at least give her something.
“Oh. That’s exciting! Speaking of Donovan’s, guess who I had the unfortunate fate of running into this morning at The Tack while I was getting stuff for my grandpa.”
“Hmm. It couldn’t have been a certain young cowboy, now could it?” I tease her, jumping up onto the counter next to her.
“More like a cocky pain in the ass, cowboy,” she sneers. “I want to throttle that man. He acts like women will just fall at his feet, has no regard for personal space, and he’s always in the goddamn way. His ego is also revolting.”
“Anything else?” I ask, trying to hide a grin.
“He still has his black eyes, so that made it a little better.” She laughs.
I think of the story West told me this morning and decide to ask her about it.
“Speaking of Hayes,” I start, watching her carefully. “I heard a story about you two.”
Her eyes slit, and her lips purse. “And what story would that be?”
“That you’ve been arrested.” I giggle, and her eyes pop.
“That was a long time ago! I was just a kid. Besides, who told you about that anyways?” she asks, crossing her arms.
“West may have told me this morning.” I smile, making her eyes roll.
“Nothing stays quiet or buried in this damn town, I swear,” she grumbles.
“He also mentioned that Hayes said that was the night he fell in love with you,” I add softly.
“Can we please not talk about Hayes anymore. It’s in the past.”
“I don’t know, Sarah. I’m just trying to understand.
I’m not sure why you rag on him so much.
I get that he broke your heart, but that was what?
Ten years ago? Don’t you think it’s time to let it go?
” I ask cautiously. “Oh, I know! I’ll give you some advice that you would probably give me if rolls were reversed.
Why don’t you try sleeping with him?” I stick my tongue out at her.
“Maybe you just need to get it out of your system. A good hate bang.” I laugh, bumping her shoulder.
“I’m appalled you would even suggest that. Although, if it was anyone other than Hayes, I would take a good hate bang into consideration. That could be fun.” She giggles, tossing her long locks over her shoulder.
“Oh, gross.”
We both turn to see a stunning brunette standing in the doorway of the kitchen. She’s petite but has an athletic build with waist-length hair and big brown eyes. She looks like she could be the cover model for a cowgirl or rodeo magazine with her jeans, cowboy boots and big belt buckle.
“Sorry. I hope it’s okay that I came back here? Mrs. Ira told me it would be fine,” she says, looking a bit apprehensive.
“Yes, of course. You must be West’s sister?”
“I am,” she says, then looks at Sarah. “And Hayes’s.”
I wave my hand, jumping down from the counter. “Please, ignore her. I’m sorry if you overheard anything. This is Sarah, who I’m sure you already know?” I question, and she nods. “And I’m Jade. West said you were looking for a summer job?”
“I am. Well, actually, I’m willing to go past the summer as well if you’ll have me. But I’ll be honest, if I have to hear about hate sex with my brother, I’m not sure this will work,” she says, scrunching her nose.
“I promise, there will be no talk of sex with your brother.” I giggle. “Right, Sarah?”
“Yeah. What she said. No offence, but I wouldn’t be caught dead with Hayes. He infuriates me. But I can’t promise I won’t hound Jade for info on her and West,” she says, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
The brunette looks from Sarah to me. “You and West? I didn’t even know he was seeing anyone. Good for him. You’re hot,” she says, making me blush.
“We’re just getting to know each other.” I tell her, shrugging.
“Cool. Well, anyways, I’m Wrenley, but please just call me Wren,” she says, extending her hand.
“Welcome aboard, Wren,” I say, taking her hand into mine.
“Wait. You don’t need to interview me or anything?” she asks, looking between Sarah and me.
“Nope.” I smile. “West mentioned you had experience?” I ask.
“I do. I worked at a Starbucks for two years,” she confirms.
“Perfect! Then you’re hired!”
“Sweet! Thanks! I really needed this,” she tells us.
“We close early on Saturday’s, so if you have nothing to do and want to stay for the last three hours, we can show you around and get a little bit of training in,” I offer.
“Sure. That sounds great.”
The next three hours go by in a blur, and before I know it, we’ve closed up the bakery and Sarah and I head to my house to have something to eat and get ready for this evening.
Before we left, we extended the invite to Wren, who told us she’d meet us there.
I’m excited to have her working with us, and it will be nice to have another friend.
It’s seven thirty, and Sarah and I are just putting on our shoes. We stand in the doorway and check ourselves out one last time before we leave for town.
Buckles is the only bar in town, and while it’s nothing much for fancy, it’s still fun to dress up and go out for a couple drinks with the girls. It’s not often Harper joins us, so tonight will be perfect now that we also have Wren with us.
Sarah’s got on a cropped black denim top over a lace underlay that’s tucked into a matching black denim skirt, paired with thigh-high cowboy boots.
In black, of course.
Her hair is curled to max volume, and to complete the look, she’s got a black Stetson on her head. I have a matching one in white from our trip to Lammle’s last summer, but I decide to leave it at home.
My outfit is simple but still fun. I’m wearing a light-wash denim dress and, like Sarah, a long-sleeve lace underlay underneath.
Mine is white. I don’t have my own pair of cowboy boots yet, so I’m just wearing a cute pair of booties, and to top it off, my hair is pulled into a styled messy bun with a couple free strands.
The night is warm as we continue our walk, the sun not yet set. As we get closer to Main Street, we can see people already going in and out of Buckles. Some still sipping their beers and others already calling it a night or out for a smoke break.
We spot Harper making her way across the street, and Sarah whistles, getting her attention. “Harper!” she yells, picking up her pace.
“You guys look great!” she compliments us.
“Thanks,” I say. “So do you!”
Sticking with the theme of denim, Harper is wearing a cute denim skirt with some white cowboy boots and a long-sleeve black bodysuit. Her hair is crimped, and she has in some super cute gold hoops.
“Thanks.” She smiles as we make our way inside.
The music is loud, and the atmosphere lively.
In the dim lighting, I look around, taking it all in.
For a small town bar, Buckles is always busy.
With its low lighting and neon signs and its brick walls and sticky floors, it’s everything you’d imagine a small town country bar to be.
There are a couple pool tables at the back and even a mechanical bull off to the side.
The tables are packed, and there’s already lines at the bar. Making our way through the crowds, we spot an empty table and claim it before Sarah runs off to get us drinks.
I tell Harper about Wren and how she’ll be joining us tonight and learn that Harper and Wren actually went to school together.
Sarah comes back a moment later and sits down, handing us each the drink we ordered.
My eyes dart to the door. In walks Wren, and I smile and wave, catching her attention.
As she walks closer, I see that a few men trail behind her.
Immediately, I recognize Hayes and Cade, and as my eyes drift over the other two, I spot West among them.
My cheeks heat, and I bring the neck of my bottle to my lips, my eyes never leaving his.