“I think I know what you mean.”
“Without a job, friends, money, or a place to go, I just spend my days waiting for Noah to come home. And when he does, he’s tired.”
Joy rolled onto her side and touched my shoulder. “I’m your friend, Cecilia. So you can scratch that off your list. And you have a job.”
“It’s only temporary.”
“Or maybe it’s not. The bookstore might be wildly successful. You also have money now. I think what you need to do is take a moment to celebrate your accomplishments. That’s the boost you need.”
“How?”
“Let’s go shopping tomorrow morning. Most of your customers came in during the afternoon since half the people inthis town sleep in or work. We’ll have a sign on the door that you open at noon or one, but I think we can make it back before then. That’ll build up the anticipation and get people talking about the store. I’ll call Mercy so she can spread the word at the bar. What do you say? It’ll be so much fun!”
“And buy what?”
“Whatever you want. Clothes, decorations for the house—you made a lot of money today. What’s one tiny splurge going to matter? You worked hard for that money, and you should treat yourself. Wouldn’t it be exciting for Noah to come home and have a new television or sofa waiting for him? Just imagine how proud he’ll be.”
I liked that idea. A lot. All I wanted was to make Noah proud and not feel like a burden. Maybe then things would be more like when we first met. Maybe then he’d have a reason to stop drinking.
She rolled onto her back. “Not long ago, Melody and I explored the area. There are some retail shops east of here that are easy to get to. They’re human stores, but there’s also a giant supermarket. I’ve always wanted to see inside one. A shopping excursion is just the thing to cheer you up.” Joy faced the wall. “Now I’m so excited I can’t sleep.”
“We should leave now and be the first in line.”
Joy laughed, and the covers rustled as she pulled them over her shoulder. “Good night, Cecilia.”
I experienced a breakthrough with our brief exchange.Idohave friends, and they’ve been nothing but kind to me despite Noah’s warning about wolves.How can I possibly consider leaving this town now that my life is turning around? Noah can find a job closer to home if he looks hard enough. Or we could run the store together. What if, after selling my father’s books, I open a real bookstore? Something with fiction novels and a little coffee shop.
“Cecilia?”
“Yes?”
Joy peered over her shoulder, the outside house light illuminating her profile. “Youdon’t shift in your sleep, do you? I don’t know what I’d do if I woke up beside a horse.”
I smiled. “Aren’t you mated to a stallion?”
We giggled for longer than the joke deserved, and when I finally drifted off to sleep, my horse dreamed of running in open meadows with flowers at her feet.
Chapter 11
“Tell me again why the fuck we’re driving to a titty bar in Austin?” Krys grumped from the driver’s seat of Lakota’s black truck.
Archer stared at his phone. “Like I said, we’re going to see Noah.”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought you said. I’m just trying to figure out if you’ve got a death wish.”
“Take another right.” He studied the map on his phone. “Cici said something that rubbed me the wrong way.”
“That’s surprising, considering she rubbed you the right way not long ago. Why the fuck are you calling her Cici?”
“Shut up and drive.”
After visiting the girls last night, Archer couldn’t stop thinking about what Cecilia had said. How things weren’t always what they seemed. Maybe spending time with Noah would enlighten him.
“You fucked his woman, and now you’re going to hang out with him at work. Not to mention you invited him over to the house for a workout. It’s like you’re tempting history to repeatitself.” Across the street from the club, Krys turned in to a parking lot markedOvernight Parking: Reservations Only, a Breed symbol on the corner of the sign. “Why the fuck did you invite him into your life?”
“Keep your enemies closer?”
“Jesus. The way you’re going, you might as well sleep with your enemies and give them a hand job. You’re not just a glutton for punishment—you’ve permanently reserved a table.” Krys jerked the wheel and hit the brakes to park.
