Move to Wyoming? How did this turn from vacay to staycay so fast?
CHAPTER 4
Zane
“Who, what, when?” I grumble, holding the phone from my ear as Isabelle nearly blasts it off with her sudden found excitement and enthusiasm. She’s calling to tell me she has the perfect candidate for the new office job. That was quick. Maybe a little too quick…
“See, you already sound cynical, and I haven’t even told you anything yet.”
“Well, I’m sorry if I don’t believe you ran out there already and found a suitable employee to replace Julie in less than twenty-four hours.”
“You’d be surprised,” she hums down the line.
I raise my brows at George, sitting across from me in The Dusty Spur Diner, with our mutual friend and local carpenter, Rich. “Fine. I’ll be back in an hour, you can give me all the details then. Just don’t make any rash decisions until we discuss it.”
“You asked me to help, and I’m helping,” she goes on. “The Ten of Cups tarot card came out of my deck this morning andtold me that family harmony and emotional fulfillment is on its way. There’s a new chapter coming, Z, I can feel it in my waters.”
Pinching the bridge of my nose again, I try to comprehend her gobbledygook.
It’s too early in the morning for this shit. She means well and has a good heart, but we look at things from very different perspectives. And one thing I don’t do is dictate anything from a deck of freaking tarot cards.
“Seriously, sis? The ten of what?” I blow out a breath. With pressure mounting, I need to trust in the process, but Iz drives me nuts.
“Nevermind. I’ll tell you all about it when you get here.”
“Can’t wait.”
“A thanks would also suffice,” she huffs. Then I hear a woof in the background which sounds like Maisie, and Isabelle says she has to go.
“I’ll thank youifandwhenthis whole thing works out,” I chime. Though that’s a stretch because I will probably do no such thing. I can’t be the only one of us kids trying to take the pressure off my parents in finding an appropriate replacement for Julie.
“Well, you’re welcome in advance,” she says before she hangs up.
I sigh and toss my phone on the table just as Sally-Ann wanders across with the coffeepot and gives us all a refill. “You’re looking a little down in the dumps, honey,” she says as I grab the creamer and pour it into my cup. Sally-Anne has worked here since we were kids, her bleach blonde haired piled high on her head is her signature look and has been for decades. I’ve no idea how she secures that much hair and it doesn’t move an inch.
“Silly season is nearly upon us,” I state. “I’ve got a lot on my mind.”
Rich guffaws a laugh as George piques a brow and says: “You do?”
“Business is booming,” I mutter toward him, then glance back at our hostess. “And staff shortages are getting the better of me, and Mom and Dad.”
She gives me a sympathetic smile. “Well, if you need some cheering up, Jo-Beth will be in soon. She’s bound to turn that frown upside down.” She pats me on the arm as she continues her lap of the diner with her coffeepot.
Great. Just what I need, more chirpiness.
“Happy being single for the moment,” I mutter.
While I can’t deny Jo-Beth is an attractive woman; flaming red hair, blue eyes and the kind of Mountain West charm that you would probably expect from a country diner, she’s not my type. I’ve known her forever, and while she’s sweet, she never comes up for air and she’s way too fucking happy. I’m not saying that’s a bad trait to have, but I get enough of an ear bashing on a daily basis from my mom and sister. Overly boisterous people make me edgy.
Rich and George can’t contain their snickers as I finish the rest of my sourdough pastry and try to ignore their childishness.
“What’s wrong with JB?” George inquires. “She’s the perfect candidate to melt that gruff exterior of yours. Plus, she seems to be the only one, aside from Sally-Anne, who doesn’t yell Bah Humbug at you when she crosses you in the street.”
I grunt in response to that notion. Rude.
“I would agree if I weren’t a married man.” Rich waves his left hand up, just in case we forgot.
“Yeah, well, it’s okay for you. You married your childhood sweetheart.” George nudges him. “You don’t have all these women hassles we single guys do.”
