"Hey, Tanner. Good to see you." With both hands full, Torin lifted his chin in a greeting. "I'm going to take this up to the register for you, Claire."
"Thank you," I called out as he walked away. Tanner had always had that effect on people… making them want to leave.
"So you're hanging out with Thompson now?" Tanner asked.
"No. He was just helping me pick up the glass I need to fix a window at Aunt Lois's place."
Tanner’s lips curled down at the edges. "It's your place now, isn't it?"
"I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it." Aunt Lois's house had been in the family since the Hollisters had arrived in Mustang Mountain. Selling it wasn't an option unless I sold it to someone who shared my last name.
"We could use some of that acreage. Has Dad talked to you about that?"
Only every chance he got. Which was why I hadn't wanted to tell anyone I was back. "Like I said, I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it yet."
"Mom and Dad don't know you're in town, do they?" Tanner cocked his head, studying me.
"I figured I'd get settled before I stopped by the ranch." That was a lie, and we both knew it. I was just trying to buy myself some time.
"Well, I suppose they'll be expecting you for Sunday dinner now that you're in town. We can talk about the house and the land then." Tanner touched the brim of his hat and gave me a genuine smile. "I'll see you on Sunday, Lil Bit."
A mixture of anger and irritation swirled together in my gut at the sound of his old nickname for me. "Don't call me that anymore," I ground out.
It was too late. He'd already turned the corner and was heading toward the door. I closed my eyes long enough to take in a deep breath, then made my way to the checkout counter.
"You're all settled up. Torin took care of it," the man behind the register said.
"Oh, thank you." I could see Torin through the front window standing next to my SUV with the Washington plates. One click of my key fob and the tailgate opened. While Torin slid the wrapped piece of glass inside, I met him by my car.
"Did you get everything settled with Tanner?" he asked without looking up.
"Hardly. He's not the kind of guy who settles easily." That was one way to describe my big brother. There were several other adjectives I could use but didn't want to draw attention for shouting out four-letter words on my first day back in Mustang Mountain.
Torin laughed and the sound made me smile.
"What's next on your to-do list this morning? I grabbed the rest of the things you need to replace that pane. I'm off this morning and would be happy to follow you home and take care of it."
I pulled my purse open, looking for my wallet. "What do I owe you for everything?"
He waved me off. "Don't worry about it."
"No, really." I folded a few twenties together and tried to hand them over.
"I don't want your money, Claire. If you really want to pay me back, buy me a cup of coffee at the Merc." He glanced across the street at the big sign for the Nelson Mercantile. "I bet you haven't eaten yet, have you?"
Aunt Lois's house had been sitting empty for months. I'd hired a service to come in and clean out the cabinets and refrigerator shortly after she passed, but everything else was exactly how she'd left it. The only thing I'd been able to find in the cabinets was a box of tea. I didn’t have anything against tea, but the thought of a good cup of coffee made me want to take Torin up on his offer.
"I should get back and fix the window. I'm meeting with the attorney this afternoon and want to take care of it before I have to leave for that appointment."
Torin continued like I hadn't just politely turned him down. "Ruby's got these new cinnamon rolls. The frosting has some kind of maple bourbon flavoring. I could probably eat half a dozen of them all by myself."
My stomach rumbled at the mention of food. I'd been surviving the past few days on gas station snacks and a wilted salad I'd grabbed from a greasy diner on my way in.
"Come on. Let's get something in your stomach, then I'll follow you back and fix that window so you make it to your appointment in time." He nudged his chin toward the Merc.
I tried to come up with an excuse, but the promise of hot coffee and a homemade cinnamon roll won out. "Fine, but it's my treat."
"Whatever you say." Torin put his hand at the small of my back then must have thought better of it and tucked both hands in his pockets.
