Page 46 of Halfway to Hell
Texas caught the towel with a grin and set it on the counter beside a bag of cider bottles. “Is that chili I smell?”
“Mmhmm.”
“Damn, woman, you’re gonna spoil me.”
“Only if you let me.” She smiled, shaking her head. “Go get cleaned up, and I’ll set the table.”
“How 'bout we eat out on the back deck? It’s a really nice evening.”
“I’d say that sounds like a plan.”
As Texas disappeared down the hall, Sunday let out a quiet sigh. She needed to remember what this was. He wasn’t interested in her—not like that. He was kind. Loyal. The kind of man who showed up. But if she let her heart get tangled in something that wasn’t there, she’d only have herself to blame when it broke.
Chapter Nineteen
Sunday foundherself genuinely enjoying Kennedy’s company as they wandered through town. They strolled along the sidewalks, pausing to window shop and laugh at the odd treasures behind the glass. Even with the hundred dollars she’d quietly taken from what Monday had left her, Sunday had no intention of spending it on something frivolous. Just having it in her pocket felt like enough.
“Let’s go in here,” Kennedy said, pointing to the general store. It seemed like every small town had one or a Dollar General at the very least.
Sunday leaned in and asked quietly, “Do you think they might have intimates?”
Kennedy shot her a sly look, one brow raised.
“Oh—no! Not those kinds of intimates,” Sunday laughed, cheeks warming with embarrassment. “I mean... I need panties and bras.” “Don’t you have those things Sunday?”
“My situation didn’t allow me to take anything,” Sunday said quietly. “Other than what I’ve got on, I have two shirts, a pair of jeans that don’t fit, and these.”
She glanced down and nudged her worn sneakers. “I need better footwear.”
Kennedy burst out laughing, catching Sunday off guard. “Girl, we’re more alike than you think,” Kennedy said, grinning. “When Cree came for me, I didn’t have anything either. Just the clothes on my back and a head start on the thugs my boss sent after me.”
Kennedy caught the look on Sunday’s face and grinned. “We need a bottle of wine to swap stories. I can already tell we’ve got more in common than I thought.” She slipped her arm through Sunday’s with easy familiarity.
As they reached the entrance, Kennedy pulled open the door to the General Store. “Come on, let’s get you some intimates.”
Just then, Cree appeared nearby. “You ladies heading in for something specific?” he asked, his gaze flicking between them with casual interest.
“Yes, Sunday needs intimates,” Kennedy said, completely straight-faced.
Cree’s eyes fluttered shut like he was trying to unhear the words.
Past him, she spotted Texas turning around, suddenly fascinated by the store window, his shoulders shaking with the effort not to laugh.
“You two are grown-ass men,” Kennedy snapped. “If buying panties embarrasses you, stay out here.”
“Oh, hell no,” Texas shot back. “They’ve got a killer knife shop inside.”
“Knives?” Cree’s head snapped up, a grin spreading across his face. He looked at Kennedy. “Well, get going, woman, you’re holding things up.”
As Kennedy and Cree disappeared inside, Texas reached out and gently caught Sunday’s hand, holding her back a moment. “Do you need some money?”
“I’ve got what I took from Monday,” she said, her voice a little hesitant.
“Will that be enough?”
“I don’t know.” She glanced toward the store. “I’m not sure how much things cost around here.”
Texas pulled out his wallet and peeled off two hundred dollars, holding it out to her. “If that’s not enough, let me know. You need clothes that actually fit and better shoes.”
