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“Was it?” Shelby opened her eyes long enough to shoot a glance his way. “He’s since had two sons with the woman he married after divorcing my mother.” She closed her eyes again. “He paid child support until I turned eighteen, but he rarely asked us to visit him and his new family. He didn’t want us.”
“You don’t know that,” Remy said.
She sighed. “We only hear from him on birthdays and Christmas—and I think it’s his wife sending the cards. I learned a long time ago to rely on myself. No one else.”
“I learned a long time ago in the Navy to help my brothers and sisters. I have their backs, and they have mine,” Remy said. “No man is an island. We need each other to survive.”
“Yeah,” she said. “Well, I don’t need anyone. I don’t rely on anyone. It only leads to disappointment and hard times. I might not make much as a deputy, but I pay my bills. I can support myself and anyone who might come along.”
“What if someone wants to be a part of your life, to share your world, both financially and emotionally?” Remy asked.
“So far, that hasn’t happened,” she said, sitting up straight and looking out at the road ahead. “I’m not sure I could relinquish control of my life to someone else. I never want to be in a situation where I’d be destitute if someone I loved and trusted left me.”
Remy had been driving all the while they’d been talking. He pulled into the driveway of Broussard Country Store.
“I’ll wait out here,” Shelby said.
Remy exited the truck and rounded the front to the passenger side, opening the door.
“What are you doing?” Shelby asked.
“You’re going in with me,” he said.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t need anything.”
“I’m not leaving you out here. I can’t keep an eye on you if you’re not where I am.” He cocked an eyebrow. “Now, are you coming in with me, or do I have to carry you in?”
Her eyes narrowed. “You wouldn’t…would you?”
He leaned into the cab.
Chapter 10
Shelby threw up her hands. “Okay, okay. I’m getting out. Sheesh,” she groused. “I’m tired. I don’t feel like shopping,”
“I’m sorry to inconvenience you,” he said.
“You don’t look sorry,” she grumbled as she slid out of the seat and into his arms.
He held her steady for a long moment, staring down into her eyes. “I’m not trying to make your life difficult. I only want you to be safe.”
She sighed. “Okay, but five minutes max, and I’m out of here. I’m tired and way past being nice.”
Remy cupped her elbow and led her through the front door of the store.
A bell rang over the door. “Welcome to Broussard’s,” a male voice called out.
“Hey, Alan, it’s Shelby,” she called out. “We just stopped for a minute to pick up a few groceries.”
Gerard appeared in front of her. “Can I help you?”
Shelby stepped back, her eyes wide. “Wow, I wasn’t expecting that.”
Remy chuckled. “Way to scare the customers,” he said.
Gerard frowned, “Sorry. I was stocking shelves one aisle over when I heard the bell. Thought I’d see who came through the door.” He held out a hand to Remy. “How was the trip out to the boat wreck?”
“Depressing,” Shelby answered. “We need a few things for the house. I haven’t been shopping in over a week. My sister around?”
