“Even the Kensington door for the stables?”
Jason grimaces. “I do have one, but it’s a little…colorful.”
We walk over, and sure enough, it's a bright-teal plaid. I grimace and turn to let him know we can order one online, but Wick is grinning.
“You know, teal was Renée's favorite color. I think it's perfect.”
I stitch my brows together. Wick’s never talked about Renée for as long as I've known him, and I’ve never brought her up because she seems like a sensitive subject. But talking about her now, he seems happy.
It’s a strong reminder that he's a good guy who’s been through a whole lot these last couple of years. And maybe I should give him a break. I mean, he’s certainly never lied to me. My broken heart is entirely my fault.
Jason helps us pick out everything and bring it up to the front of the store. He’s efficient as he checks us out, and Wick pays with the ranch credit card.
“Not that I mind seeing you in the store, but with orders of this size, you can always call in and have somebody bring it out to you,” Jason says as he hands the card back to Wick.
Wick nods and sticks out his hand. “I'll make sure to let Trip know. We’ve got a new foreman, don't know if you've heard.”
Jason takes Wick’s hand, shaking it, still a little reticent about looking him in the eyes. “Yeah, Sparrow’s dad. Joaquin, right?”
“Yep, you got it.”
Just as we walk out the door, the new acting sheriff pulls up into the space next to us. Patrick, who I know is a friend of the Goodnights, steps out of the vehicle looking very much like the gorgeous tall drink of law enforcement that he is, and he's accompanied on the passenger side by a man holding his hand to his chest.
Wick walks over to the guy and opens the car door. “Justin? Are you okay?”
Jason steps out of the store, looking worried. “What happened to Justin?”
The Justin in question grins sheepishly, stepping from the vehicle. “Yeah, my hand slipped, and I sliced it open on a nasty bit of barbed wire. One of the guys was just helping me wrap it up when Patrick came by. He offered to drive me in to get it cleaned up.”
Jason looks up at Patrick and…oh. Damn. That's a wanting look if I ever saw one. I give Wick the side-eye just as he's giving it back to me, and we both stifle laughter.
The acting sheriff looks a bit discomfited by the attention and proceeds forward as though nothing is wrong.
“Yeah, I figured it be best for him to clean up at the store, and if he couldn't go back out to work, he could at least help you, or you could easily take him home.”
“Thank you, Patrick,” Jason says, squeezing his arm, then quickly letting him go. He leans in to look at his brother’s makeshift dressing, and I notice it’s already spotting through with blood. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I just…did you see that they’re updating the Wills ranch?”
Jason and Patrick both grimace.
“Yeah, the Wills kid is taking over since his dad is retired and doesn’t want to manage the property anymore.”
“I saw him,” Justin says, swallowing hard. “And, uh, he’s not a kid anymore.”
“Did he see you?”
“Well, I nearly ripped my hand off when I dove behind the fence, so…I hope not.”
Seeming to remember the rest of us, Jason puts his arm around his brother and shuffles him into the store. “Well, come on in. We'll get you cleaned up and talk about it.”
Patrick looks over at Wick. “What’s that kid’s first name? He just bought a whole bunch of horses from you, didn't he?”
Wick nods. “Yessir, that’s Charlie Wills. We’re about to make the first delivery.”
“Can you do me a favor? Can you see what he's doing around here? See if you get any sense that he's trying to cause trouble?”
“From what I remember of that family, I don't think he would, but I'll keep an eye out for it.”
