She was relentless.The more I tried to keep my distance, the more Paisley kept showering me with kindness. It was becoming harder and harder to resist her sunshiny smile, especially when she showed up with homemade baked goods. First, it was blueberry muffins. A few days later, she made banana nut bread, and this morning she surprised me with cinnamon scones.
Now she sat on the bench seat of the heavy duty work truck while I drove into town. Shane had sent me to pick up a few supplies and Paisley wanted to stop in at the Mercantile, probably to stock up on ingredients so she could continue to assault me with pastries.
“If you get tired of making those fence pieces, you could always help me with the horses,” she said. “Shadow is getting to the point where I think he’ll be able to handle a rider. I’m not so sure about Cinnamon, though. She still has a ways to go.”
I pretended to ignore her, but I soaked in every word. I’d never met anyone like Paisley. The cold shoulder I’d been giving her didn’t seem to have any effect. It was like she took my indifference as a personal challenge. The less of a reaction she got from me, the harder she pushed.
The truth was, I was infatuated with the curvy blonde. Even though I’d never show it, I’d started looking forward to her smile every morning. She didn’t seem to care that I answered her questions with one word or a grunt, if I answered at all. I was getting used to having her around, and it scared the shit out of me.
“Do you have much riding experience?” Paisley turned, angling her body toward me.
I glanced over, wishing I could lose myself in her smile, or better yet, her soft curves. “I can ride.”
“The grump speaks.” Her lips split into a wide smile. “Was that so hard?”
The only thing hard was my cock. Being cooped up in the small confines of the truck cab meant I was surrounded by her tantalizing flowery scent. I could practically feel her body heat radiating out from her side of the seat.
“We’re here,” I announced as I pulled into a spot in front of the Merc. And not a moment too soon. I needed space before I let myself fall into her gorgeous grin.
“I just need a few minutes. Do you want to wait out here or come inside?” Her fingers wrapped around the door handle. I’d be damned if I let her get out of the truck without opening the door for her.
“Stay put.” I climbed down, rounded the front of the truck, and pulled open the door.
“Thank you.” She held out her hand so I could help her down.
Even through her thick mittens, a sizzle of awareness crackled up my arm as she took my hand. I tried telling myself I would have reacted the same to any woman’s touch. I’d been on the inside for so long, it made sense. Deep down, I knew the truth, though. Paisley had worked her way under my skin, and I had no idea how to get her out of there. She deserved better than an ex-con like me, which meant I couldn’t stop trying.
I held the door to the Merc open for her to step inside.
An older woman standing behind the back counter lifted her hand and waved. “Good morning, Paisley. Who did you bring in with you today?”
“Good morning, Ruby. This is Aiden. He’s helping out at the ranch.” Paisley gave me a gentle nudge toward the counter. “Ruby and her husband, Orville, own the Mercantile. He’s also the mayor, and she’s the best source of what’s happening around town.”
Great. I hadn’t planned on meeting the town busybody. I tipped the edge of my baseball cap toward her. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too. How are things coming along up there? I’ve been meaning to stop by and check in. Maybe bring up a pot roast or something. Any word on a wedding date for Shane and Caitlin yet?” Ruby continued to pepper Paisley with questions while I waited for a break in the onslaught to excuse myself.
“I’m not sure what their plans are quite yet,” Paisley said.
“I heard they want to bring in a bunch of ex-cons.” An older man got up from his stool and tucked a newspaper under his arm. “We just got rid of those biker thugs and now this?”
My fingers curled into fists. It was the same reaction I’d received right after I got out of prison. I thought I’d be able to head home and start over, but I’d been so wrong. People I’d known almost all my life wouldn’t even acknowledge me. If it hadn’t been for Shane offering to let me come help on the ranch, I wasn’t sure where I might have ended up. I thought Mustang Mountain might be different, but so far, it seemed like it was exactly the same.
“I’m going to grab a few things,” I said before disappearing down an aisle. I’d never be able to let down my guard. No matter where I went, my past would follow. The mistakes I made beforeI was old enough to even buy a case of beer would always feel like a ball and chain.
“Not everyone who’s spent time in prison is a bad person,” Paisley said. “I believe we all make mistakes, but it’s possible to learn from them.”
“They can go learn somewhere else,” the man grumbled.
I gritted my teeth and moved farther away. Even though Paisley sounded like she believed in second chances, she’d probably change her mind if she found out what I’d done. I grabbed a can of coffee off the shelf and moved toward the dairy section. She was almost out of that almond creamer she liked.
“Are you one of the guys working on that ranch?” A man stopped next to me and studied the case of milk like his life depended on it.
The hair on the back of my neck bristled as I turned toward him. He had on a pair of khakis and a puffer jacket, along with a pair of tasseled loafers. He didn’t look like someone who wanted to pick a fight, but I’d learned not to make flash judgements about people. “Who’s asking?”
He glanced around before leaning closer. “I work for someone who’s very interested in that land. If there was a way to make sure that ranch didn’t get rebuilt and the land came up for sale, he’d be very interested in purchasing it.”
I shook my head. “You’re talking to the wrong guy.”
