AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Dating was so damn hard. If that was, in fact, what they were doing. It was difficult to tell. She’d never been someone who dated. Andrew had just kind of fallen into her life and never left. Nash wasn’t that kind of guy. If she wanted him—if that were in fact what she wanted—then she would have to find a way to get through that tough exterior.
She had a feeling that she already knew what made him tick though: lost love and heartache.
Those were two elements she had no experience with and no idea how to overcome. Everything had always been easy for her, at least when it came tothings. The only thing she ever really wanted for was love, true and abiding. But how did a person give and get what they had no knowledge of personally?
Vivian was at a loss, her mind churning, as they pulled into the market’s parking lot, a bigger store than the grocery she’d first encountered that provided a wider range of food and other products.
“Do you want me to come inside?” Nash asked her as he pulled alongside a parking spot and stopped, awaiting her answer.
Vivian looked at the storefront, chewing her bottom lip as she considered what she wanted to do. Did she want him by her side? Yes, absolutely. Today she needed a barrier, a supportive arm, just in case. But after the awkwardness that she’d caused, she didn’t want to force him.
“It’s okay,” she decided. “If you have things to do, you can just swing back around and pick me up when you’re done.” She tried on a smile that felt as false as it was.
Nash appeared unconvinced, and before she knew it, he’d pulled into that spot and parked the car. Turning it off, he said, “Actually, I do have a couple things I’ve been meaning to get. Ready?”
He didn’t give her time to argue or ask questions. Throwing open his door, he was out of the truck in no time and around to her side, opening hers for her and offering her a hand. A bit shaken but completely grateful for the save, Vivian took it and climbed out.
But the most shocking part of it all was when Nash didn’t let go but continued holding her hand all the way into the store. He only returned her hand to retrieve a cart, which he allowed her to push, and he stuck beside her through every aisle, even the feminine hygiene one, which Vivian could have done by herself but hadn’t the heart to tell him so.
Once again, Nash was proving how thoughtful and considerate he could be. Another winning quality, as far as she was concerned.
By the time they’d made it to the checkout, Vivian had a handcart filled with items, both hers and Gretta’s, and Nash had nothing at all, only further confirming her suspicion that he’d only joined her to, in his own way, offer his support in what he knew was a stressful situation.
“Well, we’ve made it this far,” she said to him as they pulled items from the basket and laid them on the conveyor, “and no sign of him yet.”
“Miracles still happen, apparently,” Nash replied, a tinge of humor in his steady baritone.
“Good afternoon, y’all,” the cashier, whose name tag read ‘Wendy’ in white letters against the red of her uniform shirt, said. “Find everything all right?”
“Yes,” Vivian said happily. In fact, she’d found a bit too much. Mostly essentials, at least. Especially the candy bar, which was always a necessity when her hormones started to act up at the end of the month.
Wendy scanned through her products, flashing knowing smiles up at her and Nash occasionally. “How ya doin’, Nash?”
“Can’t complain,” he replied in as straight a manner as one can without being rude.
“Same for me.”
As what Vivian suspected was a courtesy, he returned, “How’s the boy?”
Wendy’s face brightened. “Hansel is great, except right now he’s teethin’,” she revealed, pausing her scanning to make hand gestures as she spoke. “And well, I ain’t gotta tell ya how that’s goin’. Dave says it ain’t time to wean him off the tit yet, but like I told him, you try havin’ someone bite your nipples off twenty times a day!”
She looked to Vivian for confirmation, and Vivian laughed and nodded as if she commiserated, but she couldn’t relate one bit. Nash looked as if he wanted to be anywhere but there.
“Sounds like a pain,” he joked dryly.
“You know it!” After a bit more gossiping and trying her best to put Nash and Vivian together as a couple, Wendy gave Vivian the total and happily took her money.
“I have no doubt we’re going to be married by the time we make it back to the farm,” Vivian said, referring to the gossip mill, as they made their way back to the truck.
“I believe that ship has already sailed. The whole town has had us hitched since Gretta started her attempt at matchmaking.” He cast her a serious look. “She really is known for her ability.”
Somehow, that wasn’t shocking. Gretta was a very determined lady. She didn’t imagine that many stood strong against her will.
“So are you with the rest of the town?” she questioned. “Do you think we’re getting married?”
“As sweet as you seem, no. We’re virtually strangers.”
“So you don’t believe in love at first sight?” Vivian gasped. They reached the truck and Nash dropped the bed so they could load the bags inside. “I guess that means I’ll have to return the dress…”
