Page 69 of The Texas Ranger: Saddled Up
What could Aasia say? That was her sister’s logic. “The local BNB should have some rooms if you don’t want to stay here at the farmhouse.”
“Sure. I might check into that.” There was an undeniable sharpness to Phoebe’s tone.
Although they’d smoothed out the wrinkles in their relationship enough to tolerate each other a few hours at a time, Aasia wasn’t ready to forget, or forgive, everything. She took down a cup from the cabinet and reached for the carafe. Not even a drop of coffee remained. “Phoebe, you took all the coffee.”
Phoebe didn’t even look up from her nails. “Oh? Was I not supposed to drink any?”
“If you take the last bit make more.” It took a great amount of patience for Aasia to keep an even tone.
“Well, you see, I started to—”
“But?” Aasia opened the coffee bag, but it was also empty.
“We had a little problem.” A smirk played on her lips. “That’s not my fault.”
“Did you think maybe to save me a cup?” Aasia eyed her sister unwaveringly.
Phoebe blew on her nails. “It’s only coffee.”
“Only coffee?” Aasia groaned. “It’s the little things, Phoebe. They mean a lot. I see you also ate the last slice of Pedora’s lemon pie. And didn’t bother washing the container.” She had looked forward to eating that last piece.
Phoebe groaned. “Are we really going to argue over coffee and pie? Or is this about the past, maybe?”
Dropping the empty pie container into the sink, Aasia squirted some soap in and started to wash the plate with renewed energy. “It’s about respect, which you clearly lack,” Aasia retorted.
“Really?”
“Really,” Aasia droned. “I also noticed you’re using my tampons. Something else you can’t afford?”
“So that’s what the problem is? It’s that time of the month?” Phoebe said in a sing song voice that drove through Aasia like a wrecking ball.
She spun around, water dripping off her hands and onto the floor. “Are you serious? What have you been doing for the last few years? From what you say you were living your best life. So, in your idea of a “best life” you can’t have enough money to but feminine products? Or coffee?”
Phoebe tightened the lid on the nail polish bottle. “Oh brother! Here, I have half a cup of coffee left. Take it.”
“Thanks. I don’t want your leftovers,” Aasia said, her composure cracking. Kitty must have sensed her displeasure because he swarmed her ankles then looked up at her with those wide green eyes. She scooped him up and cradled him in the crook of her arm.
“You know what I think you need?” Phoebe’s voice rose. “A strong man to ease some of that sexual tension. You’re so freaking uptight. Isn’t Bear handling the situation?”
Aasia grabbed the towel off the hook and dried her hands. “I see you still have that theory that sex solves everything. It’s just like you to critique my love life when you haven’t’ been here. You don’t have a clue what I need, so don’t pretend that you do.”
“I wanted to succeed,” Phoebe whispered as if it were an afterthought. “Not all of us were straight A students and could become a scientist. What would I do here in Fin’s Creek? Work the diner evenings and weekends? Take a midnight shift at theglove factory in Union County? You got a full scholarship to college and that never would have happened for me. I had a shot at modeling.” Her gaze fell to the table. “It looks like that won’t be happening now either.”
Aasia flung the towel onto the counter. “I didn’t want to stop you from succeeding. But you left in the middle of the night. You weren’t there when the roof on this place needed fixed. When Pedora was in the hospital and needed surgery. I had to work two jobs while in school full time to make sure I succeeded, even with a full scholarship. It didn’t come easy.” The words came rushing out in a wave of raw truth.
“That was the life you chose. No one said you had to take care of this place, or even Pedora. She’s as stubborn as a mule. You chose to do that so you can’t resent me for that choice. Why didn’t you get out too? Isn’t it ironic that Mother got out and you didn’t? The one who was voted most likely to succeed stayed in Fin’s Creek.” Phoebe gave a small laugh.
“Someone had to stay. Someone had to stay and fight,” Aasia said quietly. Kitty jumped out of her hold, landed on his feet before chasing after a piece of lint that floated in the air.
“Fight for what? Who in this town is worth fighting for?” The question hung like a dark cloud. “That cute cowboy you’ve been seeing?”
“Who said we’re seeing each other?” Why was she denying her connection with him? It came naturally.
“I’ve got eyes, sis.”
Her sister’s use of “sis” like she used to when they were younger made Aasia’s throat constrict. “This place is worth fighting for, Phoebe. The town. The people. Pedora is worth fighting for. Don’t you remember how she saved us? How she cared for us.”
“I love Pedora, you know I do, and I’ll always be grateful for her, but I wasn’t her favorite. You were the star. You were the one she wanted to succeed.”
