“Do you have any more of this?” I ask the man behind the counter.
“I think I might have some in back.” He studies me with a curious eye. “You’re not from around here, are you?”
I shake my head. “What gave it away?”
“I haven’t seen you around town. And I pretty much know everyone here.”
Sounds about right.
“I’m from Pinecrest. I’m working on fixing up the ranch out there.”
“The Lost Spur?” he asks.
I nod. “One and the same.”
“I heard it was in pretty bad shape. I used to go out there as a kid.”
“Well, I’m hoping to get it back to its glory days.”
“How’s old Verne out there?”
I wince. “He passed away a few months ago.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. He was a nice guy. Always kind to me.”
“That sounds like him.”
Even if he sometimes was a crotchety old man when he wanted to be.
“I’ll check in the back and see if we have any more wiring for you.”
“I appreciate it.”
I grab a few more things I’ll need and when I turn to head to the counter, I stop in my tracks.
Fucking Paul.
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t the prodigal child.”
“What the hell are you doing out here?” I ask.
“What’s it matter to you?”
I cross my arms, not wanting to get into it with him, but I can’t help the anger boiling through me. Of all the places, how in the world did I bump into him in a tiny hardware store outside of Pinecrest?
“I’d hate for Pinecrest to think their golden boy was cheating on them and coming to another town to get supplies.”
I roll my eyes. I don’t need to tell him that I already got all of it from every store in Pinecrest. He doesn’t need to know anything about me.
“Why are you here at a hardware store? Didn’t think you knew what hard work was if it bit you in the ass.”
The smarmy smile drops from his face. “I can see why Presley’s dad didn’t think you were good enough for her. I’m glad he’s not here to see her running around with trash like you.”
I grind my teeth together, nearly cracking one of them.
Don’t hit him. Don’t hit him.
He’s not worth it.
