Dutch did the same, only he went for red ones.
“Welcome to Haven, Mr. Dutch.”
“Just Dutch.”
Lance grinned. “Ain’t that some shit? We have another celebrity.” He stopped by the cart and dropped a kiss on top of my head. “I’ll come by and meet the dog soon. I’m going to need that story.”
Dutch narrowed his eyes. “Had to out me?”
I just shrugged. “You started it.”
He sighed. “Let’s get to the butcher before the case is wiped out.”
“Good idea. What are you making?”
“Stew. What are you making?”
“Shepherd’s Pie, potato soup, and homemade pizza. I don’t do frozen box. My brothers have no taste.” I got behind the handle of the cart.
“Which other celebrities are here? Or does he mean that guy you mentioned who won the lottery?”
“Well, kind of. The lottery guy is going out with our other famous resident. To us she’s just Amber, but you might have heard of her stage name—Ambrose.”
He whistled. “Not what I was expecting.”
“She grew up here. She came home for a little R&R after a big tour and fell in love with the boy next door.” I hip bumped him. “Just like one of her songs.”
“So, you’re telling me no one will care about me?”
I glanced around at the handful of people who were watching us. “Eventually.”
“Great.”
I laughed and steered us to the butcher. Luckily, I was pretty sure most people hadn’t seen exactly what Dutch had signed, so his secret was safe for now. When we got to the registers, he paid in cash.
And wouldn’t let me pay for my food. For such a grumpy jerk, he even bought a few more reusable for me bags because I’d bought so much. His asshole nature was very much at odds with his innate kindness.
We stowed our bags and the cases of Diet Coke for him just as the first snowflakes were falling.
“Is this normal?” He asked as he opened the door for me and let Mouse out. “Go do your business.”
The dog bounded over to the patch of brown grass at the edge of the parking lot. He sniffed around and peed on every other bush before trotting back over to us.
“The snow? Kind of. Every few years we get more snow than usual. This year has been pretty intense though. Global warming much?”
He grunted. “Yeah, that’s true.” He waited for both of us to climb in and closed the door after us before walking over to his side. “Need to stop anywhere else?”
“Sanctuary Spirits?”
“If that means alcohol, then yeah I’m down.” Dutch blew into his hands to warm them up.
“It does. An adult hot chocolate sounds good for tonight.” I turned in my seat. “Sure you don’t want your sweatshirt back?”
“I know I’m an asshole, but I’m not leaving you in a tank top, Phoebe.” He turned up the heat before he kicked on the wipers and backed out of the spot.
“You’re not exactly an asshole.”
“I’m aware of my shortcomings. Why I try to keep to myself.”
