AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Clearing my throat, I looked at her cart. “Are you done?”
“No, I’m not.” She smiled and pushed the cart while Cooper and I followed.
Women started arriving in the aisle I was in, but abruptly stopped when they saw the perfect little family portrait in front of them. They grabbed random things off the shelves and backed away, avoiding eye contact. Nora turned to me and shook her head. “What?” I challenged.
“What is going on? Every woman in this store has walked by you and given you a dirty look. It’s incredibly rude.” She stopped to grab chips and dip.
“They aren’t giving me the dirty look, they’re giving it to you.” I smiled and marched ahead of her, grabbing a case of beer, sliding it onto the bottom of the cart.
“Me? What the fuck did I do?” She threw her arms out, letting them fall against her legs.
“Mom.” The little cowboy at her side said, trying to hide a giggle.
“I’ll put it in when I get home.” She said home, she didn’t say house or the ranch, she said home.
Reaching for another case, I slid it next to the other one. “Well, you see, I’m usually in here alone and well…” I pointed at myself and watched Nora’s eyes scan my body. “The women flock. I don’t ask for it, I don’t encourage it, they just do.” She started pushing the cart as she rolled her eyes.
“Oh my God, Kipp.” She shook her head and turned toward the till.
“It’s really annoying, actually.” I leaned over and whispered in her ear, which garnered more dirty looks our way.
“Yeah, I’m sure you lose sleep over it.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
NORA
“Kipp, I need a coffee if I’m going to make it back to the ranch without falling asleep.” I yawned as I climbed into the truck. Looking behind me, I grinned at Cooper, who was surrounded by groceries. He nodded, knowing a doughnut would be in his future.
“You can fall asleep, I won’t Sharpie you or anything,” Kipp said, grinning like a mischievous schoolboy.
“Somehow I don’t trust you. I need a latte, please can we stop?” I pleaded, grabbing on to his arm.
“Come on, Kipp, please,” Cooper mimicked from the backseat.
“I can’t fight both of you, and your lack of trust hurts.” He shook his head and instead of turning right to leave town, he went straight.
“Yes!” Cooper pumped his arms. I laughed, and Kipp tried to frown at both of us but we were too much and he smiled. Pulling over in front of the daycare, we got out and ran across the street. The line was almost out the door when we walked up. “What’s going on?” Kipp asked the man in front of us. The man shrugged and went back to his conversation.
“Here, take this, go get a table, I’ll figure it out,” I said, handing my purse to Kipp before making my way up to the front.
“Oh, Nora, you’re here.” Kristin grabbed my arm and pulled me into a hug.
“What’s going on?” I asked her.
“Who knows? He went to the back to make a sandwich and hasn’t come out yet,” she replied, exasperated, glancing at her watch.
“All right, let’s see if I remember how to do this.” The crowd laughed as I walked behind the counter. Most of them had been regulars, so I managed to get them through quickly. I smiled as Kristin approached the front of the line.
“White chocolate latte please,” she begged, putting her hands up in front of her chest. I nodded and grabbed her a cup. “I was wondering if you were dead out there on that ranch.” Looking up quickly from making the drink, I frowned. “I’m joking. Kipp’s good people, but you’ve been MIA since you lit out of here weeks ago,” she insisted, leaning on the counter.
“Well, with four other people around, I don’t need to come in often. There’s always someone who can grab things.” I added foam and gave her the latte. “Why don’t you stop out next time you’re close? I can’t make you a fancy coffee, though, because Kipp doesn’t believe in them,” I said a little louder, so he heard me. He just shook his head and went back to making sure Cooper was entertained. I’d wear him down, eventually.
“I’ll do that for sure. Thanks Nora, you’re the best.” Kristin waved as she walked out. The rest of the customers flew through and the place was empty again. Pouring a cup of black coffee, I set it on the end of the counter, grabbed Cooper a doughnut and made myself a white chocolate cranberry latte, and walked into the back.
“Fred?” I called.
“Yeah, I know you’re here. Does that mean that big oaf fired you?” he called from behind a box of go cups.
