“I didn’t order,” Holden said.
The lady gave a distracted smile. “I know. I saw you come in, so I made your usual. But I gave you a double shot because you look like you could use it.”
He fucking loved this woman. “Thank you.”
Mrs. Gerald was about to walk away when Aspen touched her arm. “Hey. Everything all right?”
The shop owner nodded. “I’m just worried about one of our new employees. She went into the hospital for a minor surgery yesterday and had a seizure while she was in recovery.”
Clara visibly tensed beside him. “Do you know what caused it?”
Mrs. Gerald shook her head. “I checked on her this morning. She’s never had a seizure before in her life. They’re not sure what happened. I’m hoping she makes a full recovery.”
“I’m so sorry,” Aspen said gently. “If you need extra help, I could always jump behind the counter.”
The older woman patted her arm. “That’s very kind of you to offer. I’ll let you know if it gets to that point.”
Mrs. Gerald walked away while Clara suddenly straightened, her attention going to the counter. Holden followed her gaze—and tension swept through him.
Scarlett.
He shot to his feet and was halfway across the café when Clara grabbed his arm. “Holden! What are you doing?” Her voice was low, clearly not wanting Jesse to hear.
“I’m going to drag her to Jesse and demand she tell him what she did.”
“No.” She stepped closer, her voice more of a shout-whisper. “I’lltalk to her.”
“I’ll join you.”
“Absolutely not. You look like you’re about to kill someone.”
Fuck yeah, he did. Clara had unknowingly consumed drugs, and the outcome could have been far worse than it was.
She squeezed his arm. “Sit back down…please?”
His hands fisted. That was the last thing he wanted to do.
Without a word, Scarlett finished her purchase and stepped outside. Clara hurried to follow, and Holden watched as she touched the other woman’s arm outside the café. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but he saw the anger cut across Scarlett’s face.
Scarlettwas angry? Fuck that!
Not caring that Clara had told him to stay out of it, he stepped outside.
“I didn’t doanythingto those brownies. It sounds like you just had one too many drinks. And you shouldn’t be eating my food anyway. I need to go.” She started to stomp away.
“Hey!” Holden shouted when he reached Clara.
Scarlett turned. “What?”
“You need to explain yourself.”
Scarlett’s lips thinned and she stepped closer. “Actually, I don’t. I didn’t do anything, but even if I did, it’s legal for me to have marijuana in Montana. So mind your own damn business!”
“It’snotlegal for you to serve it to other people without their consent,” Clara pushed.
Scarlett cocked her head. “Has someone said that I served it to them without their consent? No. So leave me alone.”
She started to turn again, but this time Clara called out, “Scarlett, I think it’s time for you to move out.”
