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“I think things are better between us.” He looked out the window to where Tea Total was.
“That’s good then.” Nash studied the cabinets, mouth watering. He wasn’t getting into the ins and outs of whose shop should be allowed to be where. He thought this town was big enough for both of them.
“Is Luna all right? That sweet girl being subjected to a vicious attack, and here in our town. Makes you wonder what the world is coming to.”
Nash didn’t point out that Albert had been in Ryker even less time than him, as he’d narrowed down his selections to two. One had chocolate drizzled over it, the other was filled with chocolate and berries.
“Five of those custard and white chocolate pastries, Albert, stat!” Fin ran in. “Then I’m going over to Tea Total for five blueberry and lemon scones.”
“What the hell are you on about?” Nash asked, looking at his almost brother-in-law.
“The men are coming today to fit appliances and lay flooring and other shit. Maggs said I need to feed them, but I had to get food from both places to keep things fair.”
Fin’s wet hair stood off his head. He wore shorts and a T-shirt thick with paint and boots that fared no better.
“You know that you can say no to her, right? It’s not good for Tigger to hear yes all the time.”
“Ha,” Fin said, taking his purchases from Albert. “Don’t give me that BS. I know you and Ford let her do whatever the hell she wanted. Now I’m paying the price.” He was smiling as he said it.
Love—Nash shook his head—made sane people crazy.
“Is Luna all right? Nasty business, that.”
“And how would I know if Luna was all right?” Nash said. He could hear his tone was defensive, so chances were Fin would also.
“No need to get testy. Just saw Chief Blake, and he told me you and Luna had been to see him.”
Shit.He’d overreacted. Another thing he never did.
“She seems okay.” He shrugged.
“You’re awful defensive there, bud. Want to tell me why? Seeing as we’re nearly brothers-in-law and all, you can spill, and your secret is safe.”
Fin now wore a shit-eating grin that Nash wanted to punch off his face. Instead, he just said, “Nothing to tell, now get lost.”
The ranger punched him in the shoulder, then left. He ran out of the shop and into Tea Total across the street.
“I’m glad Luna is well,” Albert said, handing him two coffees he now wished he’d not bought, and two pastries in a single bag.
“Sure, bye.” Nash left before someone else tried to talk to him. On a normal day he probably spoke a few dozen words. Things like hi, and bye. A few ranch instructions; that kind of thing. Here talking was a national pastime.
“Nash, how are you?”
He raised a hand, clueless as to who the man was striding up the street.
He thought about just drinking both coffees. Instead, he made for the florist. He owed Luna yet another apology. Besides, he wanted to see her and ask why she was in there.
Entering, he found her behind the counter doing things with flowers.
“I want seventeen bouquets.”
She looked up at him and frowned. “Go away.”
“I’m sorry I spoke to you the way I did.”
“If you hate apologizing so much, maybe you should stop being an asshole,” she snapped. “Or maybe get some therapy to work out why you are.”
“Maybe you’re on to something. Want this?” He held up a coffee.
