Page 33 of Gotta Dig Deep
“He is. Motherfucker doesn’t realize what he’s got in his hands yet, but I can see where he’ll come around. He’s good for her, like you are, but different. She loves you like a brother and enjoys any chance she has to see you.” Gunny’s fingers squeezed tighter as he doled out the unwelcome news. “But when Einstein’s here, it’s a different level.”
“She’s something special, Gunny. A once-in-a-lifetime find for a man like me.” The twisting in his gut echoed the words. “Gonna suck to see him sweep in and take it all away.”
“Gotta remember she wasn’t yours to start with. Hell, she’s not his either. The thing is he’s hers, and you can see it plain as day, just like I do. She’s not a wallflower to be picked up and swept off her feet. She’s a strong woman who’s coming into her own more every day, and it’s her choice.”
“I hope Einstein realizes all that.”
Gunny’s hand slapped Horse’s back hard, pushing him towards the man and woman now engaged in a lively conversation. “Like I’d let him get by without knowing what she’s worth.”
“True story.” Horse chuckled as he bent to pick up the things Marian had dropped. “Hope you ride his ass hard as you’ve ridden mine.”
“Wouldn’t do things any other way, motherfucker. Now, tell me about that one-eyed winker cock and balls bait. Where’d you buy such a thing?”
With that to ease the way, he and Gunny chatted while Marian guided Einstein inside. He’d have to find a way to be okay with only ever having her friendship. He’d need to help her understand her own worth, and knew that his grudging friendship with Gunny was about to become something different.
It’d be a hard road, but Marian was worth cherishing what he could. Gunny was right that she’d made her choice, even if she didn’t realize it yet.
Still sucks.
Chapter Ten
Glenna
Penn’s old truck rattled roughly as she crossed the railroad tracks on the edge of town, making Shamu bark irritably.
“I know, but you’re the one who had to come along.” Normally he’d stay home, but he’d been insistent this morning as Glenna got ready for a visit to the feed store. “You can’t go in the store either, because you pick fights with their cats.”
Giving her a brief but clearly annoyed side-eye, Shamu turned his attention back out the windshield.
“Cats aren’t demon spawn. Just sayin’.”
The front of the store was filled with other ranch trucks, forcing Glenna to park around the side. She shoved the gearshift into neutral and pulled the handbrake, killing the engine as she winced, waiting for the typical backfire racket. When it failed to come, she patted the dash with a murmured, “Good boy.” Her truck had died a couple of years ago, so this was her only mode of transportation into town.
Shamu turned his elegant head to glare at her and Glenna had to laugh at the expression of betrayal on his face. “You’re a good boy, too, Shammy. Very good boy.”
Reaching across in front of him, she rolled the manual window down a couple of inches, then did the same to the one on her side of the truck. If not contained somehow, the dog would abandon his post at the first sight of something to pursue. There’d be no guilt involved, either, even if he failed to bring back the squirrel or bunny.Or cat, small dog, maybe a child.Glenna sighed silently at those memories. Sight hounds were built different, she’d found, but still wouldn’t trade anything for Shamu.
“I’ll be back quick as I can.” With a final rub of his soft skin, she slipped from the truck, ignoring the expression of shock when she closed the door in his face. “Told you that you couldn’t get out, dorkimus.”
“Talking to yourself?”
Glenna whirled at the derisive words, knowing a frown already bunched her brows. “Jackson.” She acknowledged him with a chin lift. She’d learned early on to adopt more forceful behaviors around people like Jackson Snyder.
“Not going to answer me? Not surprised, that seems to be a bitch’s go-to when it comes to dealing with a man.” His top lip lifted to show his gleaming front teeth in a move probably supposed to mimic a smile, but came off as more of a sneer. “You didn’t return my last couple of calls, Glenna.”
“I felt my silence was enough of an answer and took less of my time.” The only way to deal with him was head-on.
“Shoulda sold to me when I was offering top dollar.” He shook his head, pretending sadness. “Now you’ve lost your chance.”
“I heard you sold your granddaddy’s place.” She’d never call it his, no matter he’d inherited it. “I bet your daddy’d be real proud of you.”
“I didn’t sell it.”
There was real anger in his voice as Jackson took a long step toward her. To keep from his chest crashing into hers, Glenna backed up until she crowded against the side of the truck. Faintly, she heard Shamu’s frantic barking but ignored it in favor of keeping her full attention on the looming threat in front of her.
“Nope, still my name on the deed. Just have some investors now.”
“Good for you, Jackson. Long as your mouth hasn’t written checks your ass can’t cash, sounds like a deal.”Why are you prodding him?Glenna firmed her lips and lifted her chin again. It never worked to show weakness to bullies like Jackson, but she could be smarter about antagonizing him.
