My phone dinged again.
Jackie
Please go.
Me
Why are you so set on this?
Jackie
Because you’re so set on THIS.
My face twisted as I tried to understand what she meant. But then she sent a picture to explain herself—a bridal party photo from Tag and Bea’s wedding, zoomed and cropped down to contain one person, and one person only.
The Meadowbrook Ranch foreman I never wanted to see again.
Jesse.
Me
JACQUELINE RUTH THOMPSON!!!
Jackie
No need to yell.
Me
I’m NOT set on him.
Jackie
You’re protesting an awful lot.
TWO
Jesse
Nine weeks ago
The bottle felt cool in my hands, its amber liquid glistening under the fluorescent lighting. Feeling foolish, I dropped it in the red shopping basket nestled over the crook of my elbow and weaved through the aisles. I hoped the hour was late enough I wouldn’t have to see any acquaintances, but I tucked my head low and tipped the brim of my cowboy hat over my face…just in case.
I could’ve gone to the bigger city of Kerrville for more choices and less folks who knew my name. But my son Cade was already asleep in the cabin and I couldn’t afford the extra driving time. So my alcohol options would be limited to whatever old Bill had sitting in the liquor section of his grocery and gas station called The Tasty Mart.
I hurried through the shop, my stomach turning with dread and guilt.
My eyes darted to the door when the metal bells softly jangled. Bill stepped out of the back room, his worn jeans fraying over the topof his boots. He wore a cowboy hat and his tight chest pocket outlined his box of cigarettes. Per the usual, he was packing that well-maintained, old Colt Python at his hip. He strode up to help the woman, and I turned my face as she looked my way.
My breathing quickened.
I shouldn’t be here.
That fact wasn’t anything new, because this certainly wasn’t the first time I’d found myself at Tasty Mart, using a shopping basket to hide my purchases from prying eyes. Although, admittedly, it had been a long, long time.
But my circumstances were new.
No, not new. Different.
