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Cruz was not in a good mood.
He was pretty sure the veterinarian changed his pricing, just because he didn’t like him. Cruz was not willing to risk his cattle, which is why he never hesitated in calling the vet. After all the years he’d been ranching, he knew when an animal needed help, there was no reason to hesitate. However, with this fucking bill, it was extortion. At least his cattle were okay.
He moved back to his truck, and just as he did, he happened to see Jaxson coming out of the DIY store.
“Jaxson,” he said with a grunt.
The only other person in the town of Higher Ridge to match him grunt for grunts, was Jaxson. Today, that was not the case. Jaxson was happy.
“Afternoon, Cruz, what are you doing in town?” Jaxson asked, and if Cruz was not mistaken, the bastard had a smile on his face, which again was an odd sight.
“Why are you so happy?” Cruz asked.
“I’m a happily married man, with a kid on the way, what is not to love about life?”
He didn’t like it, he certainly didn’t trust it, and he glared at him.
“Do you have a sour mood with what’s going on with Kate?” Jaxson asked.
At Kate’s name, Cruz tensed. “What?”
Jaxson looked at him with a frown. “You haven’t heard?”
“Just fucking tell me.”
“Her mother’s claiming Mr. Moseley and Kate forced her to sign over the ownership of the shop. She wants half the profits, or a straight million.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Cruz asked.
Jaxson’s eyes went wide. “No, I’m not joking, and I guess you didn’t know.”
“How do you know?”
“Tillie told me over lunch. It happened this morning, while my wife was there.” Jaxson’s smile went even wider. “My wife.”
His happiness was making Cruz sick. “What did Mr. Moseley say?”
“That he would handle it, but Kate is worried. Tillie said so. I figured you would know.”
“I do now.” He slammed his door closed and made his way across town. He had one destination in sight, and it was not to see Mr. Moseley, seeing as it was through him that Cruz had taken control of the bills and handled the loan.
He arrived at the fabric shop, and saw the sign had been turned to CLOSED. Pulling out his cell phone, he pressed on Kate’s number. It rang and rang, until she answered, and he heard she’d been crying.
“I’m outside, Kate. Open up.”
Seconds passed, then minutes, and he watched as she came out of the back, and her face was red from crying. She flicked the locks on the door, and then opened the shop. He stepped through the door and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.
“You heard?”
“Jaxson just told me.”
Kate sighed.
He closed and locked the door, picking Kate up in his arms and carrying her through to the back room. “You know, I can walk,” she said, with a sob.
“I’ve got you, and I want you to let it all go. Don’t hold back, just let it all out.”
