AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Lexie
“Good afternoon, Garrison.”
Eric and I swept into the shop loaded down with boxes.
“We’ve got two more in the van,” Eric said.
I’d put off this stop until the next to last this afternoon, still embarrassed from the scene with my father yesterday.
Garrison’s smile was tight as he glanced between my brother and me. “Eric, there are a couple of tins of treats for Grey Paws in the back. Would you mind getting them?”
“Sure.” Eric rounded the counter.
“They’re labeled. And I think they’re on the left near the back.”
“Got it.”
Garrison waited until Eric disappeared. The tight smile vanished. “I’ve wrestled with this decision all night and today. It’s even harder because I like you and Eric.”
My stomach wound into a thousand tiny knots.
“As a businessperson, it’s foolish to even consider, especially since your product is flying off the shelves,” he continued. He tugged on his apron as if uncertain. “While that man was certainly unpleasant . . .” He sighed. “I saw what happened through the window and can’t condone violence of any kind. Lexie, I’m sorry. I won’t be able to carry your dog food any longer.”
Eric burst from the back. “Found them. I can’t wait to give one to Millie.”
“Thank you. I hope she loves them.” Garrison flashed me an apologetic look.
I gripped the counter.
Since the disastrous start of actually crafting the dog food, this was our first major setback. We’d been growing. Garrison’s business had helped bolster us.
I’d booked a piano lesson for Eric with the extra money.
And we’d lost him as a customer and a friend because I couldn’t control my actions.
Because of my father.
As much as I wanted to blame him for this, my reaction to him was solely my responsibility.
I had done this.
And as much as I wanted to explain to Garrison—to defend my actions—I couldn’t find the words. He was a fair man. If he knew what my father had said about Eric, he’d understand my position.
Instead, I mumbled a thank you, unable to look at him because of the shame that filled me.
I trudged toward the door.
“Wait. We have to get your other boxes,” Eric said.
“Garrison has all he needs,” I returned as I pushed open the door.
The cheery bell jangled, intensifying the blow.
“I ordered them. I’ll take them.”
My instincts were right. Garrison was a fair man.
“That’s okay,” I said sadly. “Grey Paws could use the extra.”
