Page 97 of Carver’s Craving

Again, I blinked.

“And how are you doing today?” A rather amused female voice caught my attention.

I turned to find her scanning my items. I grabbed my cloth bags and scrambled to start loading everything. “Uh, fine. Thanks, Andrea.”

She angled her body toward me. “Lovely to see you talking with Davey.” She continued scanning everything.

Does she mean Davey needs friends, or that she never sees me talking to people? Probably the latter.

“He seems like a friendly guy. And, uh, I’m buying more food than normal because my boyfriend’s moved in.” Heat raced to my cheek.

For just a moment, she stopped scanning. Then she grinned. “Go you. Bless you, I think you made my day. I love good news.” She resumed her work.

I packed things as carefully as I could. I really was buying way more stuff than we needed.

“You hear the snow’s coming.” She gestured to the screen.

I’ve never spent that much before. No regrets—just a profound realization of shopping for two from now on. “Uh, yeah. That’s why I’m stocking up.”

“Well, you live in the mountains, right? Maybe you’ll get snowed in.” She winked as the machine beeped after accepting my tap.

“Not that I’d ever wish that.” I grinned. “But I’m off for the next week.”

She chuckled as she handed me the receipt. “Enjoy.”

I saluted her. I moved my cart out of the way and turned back to Davey. “So we’ll be in touch when you’re back from the canyon?”

He grinned. “You bet. I can’t wait to tell Tex I have a new friend.” He waved as he grabbed his cloth bags.

Heart lighter, I headed for the parking lot. I surveyed it to see if I could spot Arlene, but she was nowhere to be found. You saw her, like, fifteen minutes ago. Did you think she was going to hang out waiting for you? If she was the one you saw at all.

That. My inner voice sometimes raised really good points. Other times, he was a bastard and put negative thoughts in my mind. Made me question things. I’d mentioned this to Justin, and we’d talked about ways for me to challenge those thoughts. Including being honest with Styx about the depth of insecurity I had about certain things. I might seem like I had my shit together—and I usually did—but I had moments of pure doubt.

The wind blew as I hustled to load the cart. When I went to return it, I found a young mother with two very small kids. I handed her the cart. I could afford losing the twenty-five-cent refund for returning it and the look of gratitude on her face had me considering reaching for my wallet. But you don’t know if it’s the money or that you just saved her the hassle of finding a quarter and securing a cart. I gave her my warmest smile. “Everything okay?”

She loaded the youngest in the front of the cart and secured the safety belt. “I always have a stash of quarters, but I couldn’t find them and it’s so cold.”

“Then head inside.” I waved to her and the boys as she did precisely that.

My minute act of charity warmed me as I got into my SUV. I needed to make my yearly cash donation to the food bank too. For those less fortunate in these rough economic times. I typed a note on my phone and then opened my text app.

—You are such an awesome person. I’m glad we’re friends. —

I laughed out loud. Jarring myself. Davey. If Tex was half the man his husband made him out to be, then I was definitely in for fun. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d met someone and so quickly fallen under their enthusiastic spell. Ryan and Simeon? Well, Styx had facilitated that friendship. This new…whatever…with Davey, was all my own.

The drive took little time as all the traffic I saw seemed to be heading into town. I’d ordered some guitar picks and a few other things for Styx, but I was pretty certain he would be happy with his guitars as a gift. I planned to locate an amp after Christmas. Surely something would be on sale, or I might even be able to pick something up privately. Whatever it took to help him start rebuilding his music career.

As I parked by the house and opened the hatch, Styx bounded outside. I said, “Hey, you need a coat.”

He rolled his eyes. “Says you. I plan to be in and out quickly. I ordered Poppin to keep Walter company on the couch. Odds of her following my instructions?” He grabbed four bags.

“Did you promise T-R-E-A-T-S?”

“You bet.” He turned and hustled into the house.

I followed carrying three bags. I stepped inside to see Poppin sitting on the arm of the sofa. “Good girl.”

She grinned. Or at least what I perceived as her grin.