Page 23 of Pay Dirt

Chapter 11

The ride into town was just as bumpy as the ride from the airport, although a lot more scenic. What started out as fields as far as the eye could see turned into houses that were getting closer together until a small metropolis grew before our eyes as if hidden by the horizon and miles of farmland.

Before we reached the town, an indoor arena, flanked by two stables, stood on the outskirts. Horse trailers and big rigs were parked in the gravel lot. Cowboys were carrying bales of hay inside the stables. It was a bigger production than I realized.

“Is that where the competition is going to be?”

“Like clockwork every year. Whoever wins in their divisions ends up representing the state in nationals.”

“Let me guess, they get bigger belt buckles as their prizes,” Clayton asked.

I nudged Nathan. “You’ll have to show me your collection.”

His face reddened, making me grin. He was so easy to tease. He probably wouldn’t last an entire day around my sisters.

We arrived in the town proper. There were shops and buildings and people milling around. It was more than just a one horse town. There were neighborhoods and schools, along with restaurants and police and fire departments. This part of their town appeared much more like mine. Families shopped on Main Street, and blue and white awnings offered a nice reprieve from the glaring afternoon sun. Kids riding bikes whizzed in and out of traffic. Everybody seemed in a hurry to do their own thing, which I was betting was unusual in this small town if it weren’t for the underlying effect that the Benefit and rodeo were just days away.

Nathan parked the truck in front of a sign that readCooper’s Drug Store. “If Coop’s doesn’t have it or can’t get it, then it doesn’t exist in town.”

We all piled out of the truck and headed inside the door. Cool air caressed our faces. This was a hodgepodge-type store. They carried everything from medicines to things you’d see on TV and then some. The store was split into two, sharing space with a western-wear store next door that sold boots and hats.

“His daughter owns the other store,” Nathan whispered as he passed. “Come on, if they have what we need, then it will be over here.”

I followed behind him, smiling at all the strangers who nodded their head as we passed.

“You and Nathan need to restock, Cassie,” Clayton called out from across the store while holding up a box of neon condoms and whipped topping.

I gave him two thumbs-up and smiled. “Get me three of each.”

If he thought to embarrass me, then he must not know my sisters very well at all. Red tinted Nathan’s cheeks as he paused at the rack of magazines and books.

We scanned each shelf. Nothing, nada.

“My eyes must be deceiving me. Is that Nathan Murray, and is he looking at books?” a woman said as she approached with a big smile on her face. She was a knockout about Nathan’s age. Pin-up calendar worthy, blonde hair that hit her waist and big blue eyes. “And here I didn’t think you’d ever be coming back to town, much less read.”

The woman’s gaze went from him to me and back. “I see you brought friends.”

I wrapped my arm around Nathan’s waist and smiled pretty. “He insisted on bringing me home to meet the folks.”

The woman wrinkled her nose. “Is that right, Nathan? Finally slow down long enough to nurture a relationship?”

“Cassie this is Monica Cooper, my ex-girlfriend. Monica, this is Cassie,” Nathan said.

“His current girlfriend.” I smiled for good measure.

Clayton appeared by my side as if sensing hostility from across the store. He handed me the basket with the neon condoms and the can of Cool Whip. “What did I miss?”

Neither of us spoke.

“The past and the present coming together,” Monica answered, holding out her hand. “Cassie, it’s a pleasure to meet the woman who snared his heart.”

“And you too, Monica, the one who molded him into the man he is.”

“I can’t take this,” Nathan said and strolled off.

“If you ever want to compare notes or do lunch to talk while you’re in town, I’m sure I know a few of Nathan’s secrets that he hasn’t shared.”

I grinned. “Nathan secrets sound fun.”

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