Making the Cut (Sons of Templar MC #1)(30)
“I’ve got to go honey.” I watched as he gazed at me in surprise. “Do whatever you got to do, I’ll see you later” I finished sweetly.
I hopped out of the truck, walking towards my door without looking back. Only when I got inside did I hear him leave.
After taking a lightening quick shower and getting ready faster than I thought I could, I made it to town just before lunch. I stopped by the local deli to grab me, Amy and Rosie some sandwiches. One of the many things I loved about America was their sandwiches, Americans did not f*ck around with their sandwiches.
Arms full, I braced myself as I entered my store, expecting a full inquisition the moment I got my foot inside. But luckily both girls were busy with customers.
“Hi everyone.” I chirped, smiling at the customers, recognizing them from last night.
I strolled towards the counter, intending to dump our lunch on it, when a perfectly groomed, hair out to there women stepped in front of me. She was blonde, had a full face of outlandish but somehow tasteful makeup and was wearing head to toe pink. Don’t ask me how, but she made it work. She looked to be in her early thirties, she was curvy and gorgeous.
“Girl heard you were in a tug of war with the two hottest men in this town, two on opposites sides of the law.” She raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow at me before continuing, “Not that I am judging, I would so go there, either way. I would have paid to see the face of between those two boys. Although heard Cades pretty much staked his claim on your, considering you were on the back of his bike last night and you rolling in here at this time.” Her southern twang was so slick it was a miracle I could understand her.
I blinked, unsure of who this women was, how she knew all of this and how to respond to everything she just said. She didn’t sound bitchy, just overly nosey, but friendly.
“Um…” Was all I managed before she got started again.
She put her well manicured hand over her more than ample chest. “Now where are my manners? I’m Laura Maye, I own the bar down the street, and after looking in your store probably your best customer.” She gestured with the shopping bags I hadn’t noticed before, which were a dusty pink with white ribbon handles and stamped with the word ‘Phoenix’ on them. My bags were the shit.
“Got to run anyway doll, I’m late for a facial, I’ll be back real soon though. Want to hear all about last night.” She blew me a kiss, strutting out the door, yelling over her shoulder. “Bye Amy girl, nice to meet you, see yah Rosie!”
The girls both waved back. I stood frozen for a second, in one of those, did that just happen moments. This town was weird. But in a good way. I continued to the counter, dropping the bags of food, turning to see both Amy and Rosie looking at me with smirks on their faces. I resisted the urge to flip them the bird seeing as they were both with customers.
“Lunch.” I announced. I turned on my heel and stomped into my office before I could get any teasing questions, I ignored the muted laughter behind me.
Another thing I loved about my store was the back office, it’s small, but awesome. I had it painted a dusty pink, my white desk, sat in the middle of the room with a couple of vogues stacked on one side a tray of candles sitting at the front and my laptop, behind was a light yellow, upholstered swivel chair. Behind that was a solid white cabinet with two soft yellow lamps each end, and vase of bright pink orchids sat in the middle. To the left of my desk was a pale yellow printed couch and on the back wall was a huge framed photo of my hometown back in New Zealand. It was taken when Ian had dragged me along with him to go hunting one winter when he was home. I did this under huge protest. The sight of blood made me squeamish, and seeing the animal carcasses that dad and Ian brought home on a semi regular basis was enough for me. I had said as much to Ian, but he laid the guilt trip on me.
“Sis, I’m not home for long, who knows when I’ll be home next.”
I grumbled about it, but I went. I still to this day don’t know why he wanted to spend his short leave hunting animals when his job was to hunt humans.
Despite my complaints, I actually enjoyed it, not the killing animals part, but the hiking in the hills, amongst the beautiful scenery with my brother who I missed dearly. I took the picture when we got to the top of the mountain. With the view of the whole valley we lived in, and then some. Our hometown in the winter was magical. Snow capped the hills, temperatures going well below freezing, caused the bare trees to turn white with frost. It had been early morning and the sun had just risen, a soft pink dancing on the horizon, street lights of the town still twinkling. It was amazing, our small town nestled among the rough hills, the whole valley dressed in winter white. I loved that picture.
I sat behind my desk and cranked up my laptop, sipping the coffee that was slowly contributing to normal brain function, after half of it had been screwed out of me last night.. I heard my phone ringing from the depths of my handbag, I managed to answer just before it went to voicemail.
“Hello.” I greeted nervously, hoping it wasn’t Cade. I hadn’t given him my number or anything, but he was a super badass with super badass powers. Or more likely he got it off his sister.
“Sweetie!!” I heard my mum scream, I relaxed into my chair smiling. It had been awhile since I had heard from either of my parents, I missed them.
“I’ve been thinking about you, things have just been so busy I haven’t had the time to ring! How was the opening? You getting settled in okay? Making any new friends?” My mum shot multiple questions at me at once, I was used to it.