Page 26 of Clumsy in Love

She walked to another rack and picked out a shirt. Tess approached and offered help, raising an eyebrow at the shirt in Holly’s hand.

“I just want to make sure he’s bear-proof.” Holly winked. The shirt was fluorescent orange and meant for hunting. He’d picked out some pants, and she passed him the shirt on his way to the dressing room.

“Bear-proof?” Cole said.

Holly and Tess nodded solemnly. “You’ll need a hat and coat too,” Tess said. “It gets cold in the evening.”

Cole changed and came out of the dressing room. He looked dubiously at the bright yellow hat and coat Holly held. “You want me to wear that?”

“Unless you’d rather get eaten by bears,” Holly said matter-of-factly.

Cole put on the jacket and cap. “I look like an idiot.”

A man walked by and snickered. “What are you girls doing to the poor guy?”

“I knew it!” In one swoop, Cole slipped out of the coat, grabbed the back of the shirt, and pulled it over his head, throwing both into a heap at his feet. “Get me some real clothes,” he demanded.

Holly and Tess stood, mouths agape, wide eyes glued to Cole’s naked torso. A smattering of golden-blond hair covered a firm,broad chest. It was the kind of chest that could easily dull the shine off her newly minted no-more-men promise.

“Gulp.” Holly snapped her mouth shut and smacked Tess on the arm. “You heard the man. Get him some clothes.” They both scrambled to find something to cover him up. That prank had backfired.

Holly threw him a moisture-wicking T-shirt—in a subdued tan—and Tess quickly found a button-up nylon shirt in plain brown. He scowled at them before grabbing the clothes and returning to the dressing room.

“Holy camoly,” Tess whispered.

“Yeah,” Holly agreed, breathless.

From the dressing room, Cole called out. “Pants? Thirty-four, thirty-six.”

“The pants you’re wearing are fine.”

He grunted his reply, and after some shuffling noises, reemerged. “Not funny.”

“It was a little funny,” Holly said, biting a smile. “Let’s find some shoes.”

The three of them went to the back, and Cole tried on a pair of hiking boots Tess recommended.

“Where am I gonna put my gun?” he asked. “I can’t wear an ankle holster with these high-top boots.”

“You can wear it on your hip for all anyone around here cares.” Tess laughed when his brows shot to his forehead.

“You’re not in Kansas anymore,” Holly said.

“No doubt. From New York City straight to Mayberry.”

They headed to Karla’s Kitchen for breakfast. The smell of eggs and grease was a warm welcome home.

“Holly, darlin’,” Edna said, seating them in a booth by the window. “How you doin’?” Her tone sagged heavy with worry.

“I’m fine,” Holly said, knowing she would have to deal with the pity looks for a while. Jilted bride was a big story in a small town.

“Gettin’ right back on that horse, I see,” Edna said, giving Cole a head-to-toe glance. “Love it.”

“It’s not like that.”

“’Course not,” Edna said with a wink. “Sit. I’ll get the coffee.”

“Do you know everyone in this town?” Cole asked, sliding in across the booth from her.

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