Page 32 of Love and Lingerie (Rockland Falls 2)

Or the way my body fired to life for the first time in…ages.

Harper is definitely dangerous, and not just to the business.

To my heart.

* * *

“You play poker?” I hear over my shoulder as I throw a couple of frozen pizzas into my cart. When I turn around, I find Jensen Grayson standing behind me, a friendly smile on his face.

“You don’t spend half your military career on foreign soil and not play poker,” I answer, offering my own smile and my hand for him to shake.

“Good to see you, Latham. I stopped by the hardware store for a few things a week or so back and your old man told me you were returning to take over. He seemed pretty excited to have you back.”

“I’m pretty excited to be back. Believe it or not, I was starting to miss this crazy town,” I confess.

“Crazy is right. And speaking of crazy, I heard you had some issues earlier today with pink glitter,” Jensen says, a wide smile on his face.

“You understand what I’m dealing with here, right? She’s certifiable.”

Harper’s younger brother laughs. “Oh, definitely, and for some reason, she has her eyes set on you.”

“Goodie,” I grumble. “How long do you think before she gets bored and bugs someone else?”

“Well, let’s see,” Jensen says, glancing up and acting like he’s counting. “Never?”

I can’t help but chuckle. “That sounds about right.”

“Anyway, all I have is a poker peace offering. Tomorrow night, seven at my house. Beer, some food, and best of all, we can take Samuel’s money,” he adds, slapping his hands together and rubbing them anxiously.

“Count me in. Text me your address and what you want me to bring,” I say, pulling out my phone and adding him as a new contact.

“You can bring something snacky. I’m making Rhenn bring all the beer, since he’s the new guy.”

“New guy? What am I?”

“You’re not the new guy. You were born and raised here, just took a few years to gallivant around the world. He’s the man who’s practically shacking up with my little sister, therefore he brings the beer,” he states, clipping his phone back on his belt when my contact is all set.

“New guy, huh? Marissa getting married?”

“Not yet, but it’ll happen. I can feel it,” Jensen says as he grabs his own frozen pizza from the freezer. “His name is Rhenn, and he’s actually a pretty decent guy. I still plan on making him buy my beer for as long as I can finagle it though,” he adds with a laugh.

“Will she be there? I haven’t seen your little sister in probably a decade,” I ask, throwing a few bags of frozen vegetables and potatoes in my cart.

“Nah, it’s usually just guys. I invited my buddy, Garrett Levitt, so there will be five of us.”

“Sounds like fun. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“See ya, Latham,” he says, turning and heading the opposite direction.

Jensen was two years behind me in school, and even though I didn’t hang out with him or Garrett, I knew them. Hell, everyone knows everyone in Rockland Falls. Small town, and all that. He was on the JV football team, while I was on Varsity, so we often found ourselves at the same place at the same time. Plus, I loved to torture his sister, so there’s that.

I think a night of playing poker, drinking a few beers, and hanging out with guys who aren’t wearing the same socks they’ve worn for a week is a positive thing. Poker night already has more going for it than what I’m used to. No, it’s not all smelly and gross overseas, but at times, we’re lucky to have five seconds to change our fucking socks when we’re in a hot zone. Sleep was another commodity I’m used to stealing whenever I could, keep moving whenever I couldn’t.

After I finish my grocery shopping, I head back to my tiny apartment above the hardware store. I really should ask Pete to find me a few available houses to look at. I was pretty good at saving the wages I made, and now have a decent little nest egg to fall back on. Getting a loan for a mortgage shouldn’t be too difficult, even with the expansion I have planned for the business.

When the groceries are put away and the oven is preheating, I turn on the television and pop the top off a beer. They’re talking preseason football on Sports Center, but I don’t pay much attention to it. I haven’t been able to really follow sports in a few years. Hell, I haven’t been able to do much of anything except work for a few years. That’s why this next phase in my life is so important to me. Not only does it give me something positive to focus my attention on, but it’s also helping my family. Dad’s ready to step back, even though he’s barely sixty. His health hasn’t been the best lately, and that’s why I need to make sure I’m here – at home. Where I belong.

Now if I could do something about the other problem holding my attention. She’s about five ten, with blue eyes and red hair. She’s hotter than a chili pepper in Texas, and as feisty as a rattlesnake. But do you know what? I’ve always been drawn to her like a moth to a flame. That’s probably a very accurate analogy too, considering she’d love nothing more than to burn me alive at the drop of a hat.

But Harper still threatens the plans I have for Douglas Hardware. Beautiful, sassy Harper, with skin so soft it’s like touching pure silk and a smile so captivating it kept me company many nights in foreign countries over the last decade and a half. She’s already increased her bid, which will keep her in the running where Mrs. Morton is concerned. That’s why I’m pulling out the big guns tomorrow and stopping by for a visit. By the time I’m done with Mrs. Morton, she’ll be wondering Harper who?

That building is as good as mine.

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