She slid a card across the table. “That’s my direct line. If something shows up in red ink or a sheriff ever thinks about putting a notice on your gate, I want to know the second it happens.”
“Okay, thank you.”
“For what it’s worth,” she added, tucking her pen back into the pad, “this place you’re sitting in now? Wyatt nearly lost it when his dad passed. Different structure, similar mess. He fought hard to keep it. That’s why he’s on every committee no one wants and why people listen when he talks. He’s seen this side of things. He might be a good person to talk to.”
Of course, he’d be the town golden boy, well, not boy, but man. Wyatt Hargrove would be the last person on earth I’d talk to about this. Not with him circling, waiting for me to fail.
“I’ll call you.”
She left with a half-smile, stopping at the bar to pay for her coffee. I saw Wyatt come out from the brewhouse again, say something to her, listen, nod. They knew each other. Of course they did.
He turned slightly as she headed for the door, his gaze following her for a moment, then skimming across the room.
It landed on me, just for a beat. I looked away first.
Natalie brought my bill and smiled as she took my empty plate and bowl. Reaching for the paper, I frowned when it showed nothing was owed.
“Not a chance, I’m not taking charity from you, Wyatt Hargrove,” I mumbled under my breath and mentally figured out what the coffee, soup and sandwich should cost and leaving a generous tip hoping I’d covered it, I walked to the bar and slammed the bill and the cash on the counter, Wyatt’s expression never changed but his eyes sparkling gave him away. He was amused, and that irritated me even more.
“Make sure Natalie gets this,” I instructed before I turned on my heel and walked out.
Fourteen
Tessa
The day didn’t get any better. I was behind on chores because I’d gone to town first thing this morning, but this felt normal. I knew what to do, and muscle memory took over.
My phone buzzed in my pocket as I grabbed the feed bucket for the horses. I cursed the sound and almost ignored it. But the name made my blood run cold.
Colin.
I stared at the screen. The ringing didn’t stop, and all I wanted was for it to stop. I should have thrown the phone in the manure pile, but instead I answered.
“Tess,” he breathed, soft, too soft. Like he’d been waiting. “Thank God. I’ve been worried sick.”
My throat tightened. “What do you want?”
“I heard what happened with your uncle,” he said gently. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t think you were close.” The fake concern in his voice was nauseating.
“We weren’t,” I answered flatly.
“You don’t have to pretend with me,” he murmured. “I know you.”
A chill crept up my spine. “I’m fine,” I lied, trying to sound more composed.
“You don’t sound fine. You sound overwhelmed. Panicked. You should’ve come back, or I can come there. I just want to support you.”
Anger flared hot. “You don’t get it at all, do you?”
“I’m just being honest. You take on too much. You’re stubborn. You shut people out.”
My breath hitched. “Colin?—”
“I could help you,” he whispered. “If you’d let me.”
“No,” I said sharply. “Absolutely not.”
He sighed like I was a disappointment. “You don’t have to be scared, Tess. You just need someone who cares. Someone who actually knows how to handle things.”
