Page 26 of Make Me Trust Again
I should have known it isn’t just about that damn leak.
Rose’s lips press into a tight line. She is clearly as happy to see me as I’m to be here.
Good.
From the corner of my eye, I can see a shadow move. My body freezes as a wooden cane hits against the hardwood just a few inches away from my boot.
Glancing up, I see a short, silver-haired woman watching me with sharp eyes. “Look who decided to join us, regular folk, Milly,” Mrs. Miller tsks.
“I don’t know, Trish”—the other woman squints over the rim of her glasses—“I think I might be imagining things.”
“Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Tyson.” I nod stiffly in greeting, cursing my luck.
Then again, I’m not sure why I’m surprised. I should have used the back entrance and avoided becoming a spectacle, but I once did that and scared little Jessica Richards to death.
“And he speaks!” Mrs. Tyson places her hand against her chest dramatically. “I thought he was only communicating in grunts and scowls.”
A soft, choked-out scoff draws my attention back to the woman behind the counter. Rose is biting the inside of her cheek, trying to keep a straight face, but from the twinkle in her eyes, I can see that she’s enjoying their ribbing.
I narrow my gaze at her, which has Rose raising her brow.
“See? I was right.” Mrs. Tyson slaps me over the chest and shakes her head. “Your mother raised you better than that, Chase Williams.”
Reluctantly, I shift my attention to the two women. “Yes, ma’am.”
“What brings you out among mere mortals?”
Great, escape.
“Becky asked me to check the leak in the kitchen, so I shou?—”
Mrs. Miller interrupts me before I can finish, “Good girl.” She waves her bony finger at me. “You can’t keep hiding away at your ranch alone all the time.”
“I’m hardly alone. Shadow’s with me.”
Mrs. Miller glances at the dog, her lips pursing disapprovingly. “That’s not the same, young man. And you know it.”
“She’s right. You need to get out more and hang out with people.” Mrs. Tyson tilts her head and gives me a knowing look. “Find yourself a nice girl and settle down.Thenyou two can hide away at that ranch and create some babies.”
I choke in surprise at her words.
Yeah, I think not.
Mrs. Miller glances at her friend, completely oblivious to my mishap. “Oh, did I tell you little Shelly Timothy moved back home after college? She’s working at the hospital. Such a sweetheart, that one.” Her knowing gaze turns to me. “You know her?”
“I don’t think I do, ma’am.” I take a step toward the counter, just as Rose turns to the coffee machine. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I really need to go and check that sink.”
Before either of them can protest or try to set me up again, I slip behind the counter. Rose peeks over her shoulder, but when our gazes meet, she quickly looks away.
I hold the door open for Shadow and slip into the kitchen behind her. The door falls shut after me, muffling the voices from the outside.
Running my hand over my face, I can feel my shoulders relax.
This is why I hate going into town.
Before you know it, people are ribbing you about your life decisions and trying to set you up.
Letting my hand drop, I take in the room. Becky wasn’t lying when she said that the place is a mess. The door to the counter under the sink is left open, and sure enough, there is an almost full bucket underneath.
