Page 5 of Don't Burn Bridges
“Thanks.”
“Anytime.”
Grabbing a cart, he headed to the stockroom where he found a perfect box. That it had a diaper company logo stamped on all sides was even better. Sticking it up in the cart, he returned to the aisles. Even though he knew where everything was by heart after shopping there for years, he walked up and down the aisles as if he were searching for something and couldn’t remember its location. No one needed to know he was looking for someone. In the third aisle, he found the teething medication Paige needed.
He was halfway through the aisles when he found Shylo in front of the shelves of ramen noodles. He’d lived on that stuff once—cheap, quick, and enough to get by. Working at the Red River Ranch had broken that habit fast. Now, he made good money, ate breakfast with the Wilsons and the other hands, and had a functional kitchen in the bunkhouse if he wanted to cook. But he still remembered what it felt like to fill a cart with those packets and hope they lasted.
Glancing into Shylo’s cart as he approached, unnoticed, he took stock. Bread, peanut butter, jelly, milk, cereal—all the cheapest brands. No extras. Only what was needed for survival.
Yeah, he knew that life.
Pair that with the condition of her pickup, and it wasn’t hard to figure she had little to her name. He wondered where she was going after Hazard, given she’d said she was only passing through.
Pasting on a flirtatious smile, he gently nudged her cart with his own. “Hey there. We ran into each other again. It must be fate.”
She startled, took a step back, then glanced up and down the aisle. They were alone. “Are you following me?”
His eyes widened at her accusation. “No! No, sorry. It really is just a coincidence. My boss’s wife forgot a few things on the list she gave me for Walmart earlier. Since this store is a lot closer to the ranch and has what she needs, I came here.”
Some of the tension eased from her body. “Oh. Sorry, I didn’t mean?—”
He held up a hand. “It’s okay. You don’t know me, and yet we crossed paths twice in the past two hours. I get it.” They assessed each other for a moment, then Seth asked, “Did you stop at the auto supply place and get the coolant?”
“Uh... not yet. It’s on my list of things to do.”
He gestured to the items in her cart. “Are you staying in Hazard for a few days?” It was a fair guess, or somewhere close by, because the half-gallon of milk would need refrigeration.
“Yeah.” She tucked some stray black strands of hair behind one ear. “I... uh... think I might.”
It sounded like she didn’t have any immediate plans to be anywhere else, and his curiosity grew. “It sounds like you have an East Coast accent. Where are you from?”
“Um... West Virginia.” Her gaze returned to the ramen noodles, and he felt dismissed as she selected a few packages. “Sorry, I’m in a hurry. Thanks again for your help earlier.”
She spun her cart around and walked away from him, but that just piqued Seth’s interest. He wasn't used to women brushing him off or playing hard to get. Although he didn’t quite think she was doing that. Either way, he wanted to get to know her, but she seemed spooked at the moment, so he didn’t pursue her. He had a feeling he’d get another opportunity soon.
“Have a nice day, Shylo,” he called out.
Her back stiffened slightly, and she didn’t turn around, but when she reached the far end of the aisle, she finally acknowledged him with a wave over her shoulder. “Thanks. You too.”
Chapter 3
Shylo hadn’t thought her recon mission through before starting it. She was from a town that wasn’t much bigger than Hazard Falls and forgot that strangers stuck out like a lighthouse in a cornfield. While people loved to gossip, they were suspicious of outsiders who suddenly appeared asking questions. She wouldn't be able to randomly approach anyone and ask for details about Shane Wilson. That would attract too much unwanted attention and prompt questions about why she wanted to know.
Already, three people had asked who she was and what brought her to Hazard as she walked through the general store and grocery aisles, not including Seth. They’d been friendly enough, but she could see the intense curiosity in their eyes. With a respectful smile, she kept her responses vague, then moved on. Yes, she’d told Seth she was from West Virginia, but it was a big state, so she wasn’t worried about it. Everyone’s questions were innocent enough, but she didn’t want anyone tracking her back to Brimley Flats. She’d left her hometown for more than one reason—her past and her future.
She had to rethink her plan. Maybe she should get a job for a little while. That way, it would be easier to learn about Shane, his family’s cattle ranch, and how much of a fight he would put up when she demanded half of it.
After dropping the food off at her motel room, she drove back to the center of town, and relief flooded her that Seth’s pickup was gone from in front of the Stop & Go. Although he was handsome—okay, sex-on-a-stick handsome—and friendly, his flirtation was a distraction she didn’t need at the moment.
The Stop & Go was an ideal place to get a job if they were hiring. It seemed to do a steady business with the locals, and she’d overheard a few gossiping sessions in the aisles and by the registers. Nothing about the Wilson family, but maybe that would change, especially with a few subtle inquiries in the right direction.
She entered the store and went to the customer service desk, where an older, gray-haired woman in her mid-sixties appeared to be in charge. “Hi, are you the manager?”
The woman gave her a brilliant smile. “I’m Marla Oberman, the manager and owner. What can I help you with, dear?”
“Oh, perfect. I... um... I was wondering if you were hiring at all. I just moved here, and I’m looking for work.” Okay, so she stretched the truth a little since she wasn’t staying in Hazard any longer than necessary, but the woman didn’t need to know that. She probably wouldn’t hire someone if they said they planned to be in town for only a few weeks.
“I wish I could help you, but there are no openings at the moment. Sorry.” When Shylo’s smile faltered, the woman continued. “But I think Lou is looking to hire someone for the waitstaff over at Bar None. It’s a restaurant and bar about a mile down the road, on the left-hand side.” She pointed east on Main Street. “You can’t miss it. Gets pretty busy from Thursday through Sunday, but it’s open for lunch and dinner all week.”
