CHAPTER 1
AIDEN
I steppedoff the bus with my duffel in hand. Everything I owned fit into the small bag. It wasn’t much, but at least I was free. After being locked up for eight years, I was eager to get on with my life. Hopefully, Mustang Mountain would be a good place for a fresh start.
“There you are.” Shane crossed the road as the bus pulled away. “How was the drive?”
I shook his outstretched hand, relieved to see a friendly face. “Fine. I hope you weren’t waiting long.”
The bus had a flat tire outside of Billings and we’d been delayed for almost an hour. I would have sent a text to let him know, but I didn’t even have a phone. My stepdad tossed all my shit when I went to jail.
Shane shook his head. “Not long at all. I thought we could grab dinner before heading back to the ranch. Are you hungry?”
“I wouldn’t mind a cup of coffee.” My stomach growled at the mention of food, but my bank account was running on fumes. I’d have to watch my spending until I started making some money.
“It’s my treat.” Shane must have read my mind. He nodded toward a building across the street. “Come on, I can’t wait for you to meet Caitlin.”
I followed him into the brightly lit café. The scent of cinnamon and apples wrapped around me as soon as I entered. It smelled like heaven. My gaze traveled around the room, the sight of so much food making my mouth water. A curvy brunette waved to us from the other side of the café. A huge smile spread across her lips as Shane slid onto the bench seat next to her.
“This is my fiance, Caitlin.” Shane leaned over and gave her a quick kiss.
“It’s nice to meet you.” I set my duffel on the opposite side of the booth. It was hard to believe he was engaged. He’d only been out of prison a few months longer than me, but he seemed completely comfortable and settled. Maybe in time, I’d feel the same. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“Restroom’s in the back,” Shane said, already turning his attention back to Caitlin.
I wanted to wash the grime of the bus off my hands before I sat down to eat. Following the sign for the men’s room, I turned the corner and something—or someone—slammed into me. A phone smacked onto the wooden floor and flew under a nearby table.
“What the fuck?” I mumbled as I stepped back.
The woman looked up at me with wide green eyes. They were the same color as the tops of the tall pines I used to be able to see over the towering prison walls.
“My phone.” She bent down and reached for the device.
It had been years since I’d had physical contact with a woman, especially one with so many soft curves. I stood there, my feet frozen in place, while she grabbed her phone and straightened.
She shoved it in the back pocket of her jeans. “You should have been watching where you were going.”
“Me?” The accusation snapped me out of the trance I’d fallen into. “You’re the one who should have been watching where you were going.”
She cocked a hip and pursed her lips.
“Fine. It was all my fault.” I would have said anything in that moment to get out of the awkward situation. Still, she didn’t move out of the way. I couldn’t get around her, not with her blocking the entrance to the narrow hallway. Hesitant to make eye contact again, I kept my gaze trained on the tips of my boots.
“Aren’t you going to offer to buy me a slice of pie to make up for it?”
I jerked my head up and scowled, tired of people trying to manipulate me. “Pie?”
Those green eyes twinkled, and her tone softened like she was flirting with me. “I figure it’s the least you can do since you just admitted it was all your fault.”
The future flashed through my mind. I’d buy her a piece of pie and she’d bat her eyelashes at me, maybe even treat me to a smile that would make me feel like a million bucks. But sooner or later, she’d find out the one thing about me that no one seemed to be able to overlook. That I was an ex-con who’d served time. It would be better to avoid that sequence of events altogether.
“I don’t like pie,” I mumbled.
“Oh. Well, in that case, let me get out of your way.” She shifted to the side, the same side I moved to, and we did an awkward dance of trying to get around each other. Finally, her arm brushed mine as she passed. “I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t like pie.”
My nose filled with the scent of something feminine and flowery as I moved through the space she’d just occupied. I felt like an asshole… again. I didn’t used to be such a prick, but being on the inside had hardened me into a man I barely recognized…a man who knew better than to waste time trading smiles with a woman who deserved better.
I did what I needed to do and made my way back to the table where I’d left Shane and Caitlin. There was no sign of the woman. Not that I was looking for her. Part of me was disappointed I wouldn’t get to set eyes on her again. A bigger part was grateful that I wouldn’t be tempted to buy her that piece of pie and soak in the sunshine of her smile.
