Two seconds later she was back inside the store, just about foaming at the mouth. After a quick scan of the store, her eyes settled on me just like they’d done before, now satisfied I was the horrible person. If she’d had a spear in her hand, she’d be inclined to drive the sharp point straight into my gut.
Or my heart.
With two steps, she was suddenly right in front of me. “Are you the asshole who left a dog inside the truck without leaving it running? Huh? Are you?”
Between her caustic tone and the wildfire of light in her eyes, I could almost find amusement in the situation. However, I’d been through too much shit in my life to warrant finding humor in almost anything. Yet before I could find a series of biting words to counter her heavy-handed accusation, she launched into me again.
Her hands on her hips.
Her eyes burning holes into my retinas.
Her nose wrinkled.
Her eyes were what captured and held my attention. The color of green gems set in soft sand, her smoky gaze clenching tightly a depth that felt both inviting and distant.
Yet on this night, they held a hint of rage with a full scope of despair that I sensed she tried desperately to hide.
Especially from unwanted, unneeded strangers who’d evoked such intense emotion.
“Did you know that a dog could suffer a heat stroke or even die within six to eight minutes of being locked inside a hot car? Did you? My guess is you’re one of those men who barely thinks about anything but hunting and gathering your food at night while guzzling back a six-pack. Well, consider this my first and only warning. Next time, I’ll break your window. With joy in my heart.”
“Gracie, honey. He just found the dog on the side of the road and popped in so he could purchase some dog food for himand a collar and leash.” Roxie’s voice held more of a motherly chastising voice than before.
Grace was immediately flustered, jerking up and glancing toward the woman. I was gifted with the same nervous tic of almost ripping her hair behind her ear. Without looking at me, she continued her barrage. “Well, that’s fine, but consider yourself warned. Don’t do it again.”
Turning on her heel, she stormed toward the door and was gone in a flash.
Roxie chuckled. “Don’t mind her. She’s usually much nicer. Unless you piss her off. Grace has been through a lot lately with losing her parents. She cares about animals more than she does manners. And I don’t blame her one bit.”
“Evidently more than people.”
“You are so right. I could tell you stories about every one of my ex-husbands that would curl your pubic hair.” Her smile was lascivious. “Although my guess is yours is already soft and nicely curled.”
“She needs to stop assuming. Not everything and everyone fits into a neat package.” When she didn’t say anything for a few seconds, I shot her a guarded look.
“If you knew her story, you’d understand. That’ll be seventy-five twenty-two, honey.” Maybe Roxie sensed I was in no mood to play games.
It was seventy-five dollars I didn’t have, but Sailor was worth it if for no other reason than to keep the loneliness away. As I pulled out the dollar bills, I mentally counted what I had left. Maybe I could stretch it into a couple of nights at a motel.
If I was lucky.
With the items in my arms, I headed to the door, stopping long enough to see what Grace had posted on the bulletin board. A free veterinarian clinic at the Farmer’s Market. I memorized the address. “Is this for real?”
Roxie remained behind the counter. “Absolutely. Gracie holds one every Saturday from nine until one.”
“I thought she was a painter.”
“Oh, heavens no. I mean yes, she is, but she’d a licensed veterinarian. Thank God since two of our local vets recently retired. She’s a godsend.”
Nodding, I kept the idea in the back of my mind as I headed to the truck, Sailor happy to see me.
When I slipped inside the cab, he was all over me, offering sloppy kisses while his backside wiggled. Other than finding a place to stay for a couple of nights, all I could think about was the woman who’d accosted me with full intentions of hating me.
At least for the first time in over two years, I felt like a man because I hadn’t lost my touch.
I could still drive a woman batshit crazy.
CHAPTER 4
