Page 4 of Wild Hearts

I would remember if I’d seen her around Suitor’s Crossing before, so this is definitely her first visit. But how long will it last?

Grace opens the car door to let Shadow jump into the backseat after I walk her outside. “I’m actually moving here. My friends Elsie and Avery live in town and helped me get a job at Casey & Sons.”

Fuck Casey.

My usual rejoinder to hearing about those douchebags resounds in my head, and I bite my tongue to keep it there. The Casey family thinks they’re hot shit because they’re one of the original inhabitants of Suitor’s Crossing—at least, I assume the entire family is full of pretentious pricks to match the two younger sons. The twins, Andrew and Brandon Casey, and I attended the same schools from elementary to high school, so I witnessed them evolve from class nuisances to first-class bastards.

I hate that Grace will be working with them.

Jealous they’ll get to see her every day.

You don’t get jealous over women, remember?

“Congratulations,” I grit out, fighting to remain neutral in the face of the conflicting emotions suddenly bombarding me. “Elsie… Do you mean Elsie Hawkins? A teacher at Scott Key Elementary? Had a dust-up with a parent last year?”

Could there be more than one Elsie in Suitor’s Crossing? Sure, we’re not that tiny, but we’re also a town of magical coincidences, so it wouldn’t surprise me if the one Elsie I’m aware of is Grace’s friend.

Her blue eyes widened, and it’s obvious I guessed correctly. Gossip is hard to miss in Suitor’s Crossing, even for a guy like me—someone with a record that people tend to avoid. And a tale like Elsie’s? One that includes Sheriff Lawson’s ex-wife? Well, there was no way that wasn’t spreading like wildfire to where I reside at the very edge of town.

“This really is a small town, huh?”

“You have no idea.” A small town with a big attitude. At least towards those it deems unworthy of their esteem. Like me. Sure, we’ve got Hallmark charm with a bustling Main Street and events scheduled for practically every holiday, but everything—and everyone—ain’t always sweet as a gumdrop.

“Guess that means we’ll probably see each other around.” Grace chuckles before settling in the driver’s seat. “Thanks again for fixing my car. Have a good day!”

Right, we can’t stand outside all day chitchatting. I’ve got work to do, and she’s got a new life to start in town.

Her car disappears around the bend, and despite her optimistic remark, I doubt we’ll see much of each other at all. Elsie runs in a certain circle of Suitor’s Crossing, one I’m not a part of. Not that she’s ever been anything but friendly towards me, but our paths don’t often cross.

Which means mine and Grace’s won’t either.

It shouldn’t bother me.

But damn if her sweet honey scent doesn’t linger in Dusty’s waiting room and make me wish I had more time with her.

***

It’s never good when my mom calls, so when her name appears on my phone an hour later, I immediately ignore it. We have a dislike/hate relationship—I dislike her, and she hates me.

"What?"

"Is that any way to greet your mother?" I don't respond to her comment, and she huffs on the other end of the line. "Are you planning to come home for Thanksgiving? Your brother would like to see you."

Step-brother.

He’s from my mom’s second marriage after she had enough of slumming it with my dad, a truck driver on the road ninety-percent of the time.

Jordan is a decent kid, which I can only attribute to his father’s influence, but there’s no way he enlisted our mom to invite me to Thanksgiving.

The last time I went to their house—because that’s not my home—was for Jordan's sixteenth birthday in February.

"I'll let you know."

"Make sure you’re here, Wesley. I don't know what Jordan sees in you, but you'll be a big disappointment if you don't show."

"I thought I already was one, Mother."

She snickers. "Yeah, well, your sweet brother hasn't learned yet." With that snide remark, the call ends, and I shove the phone back into my pocket with a curse.

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