Page 75 of Just Act Natural

“I asked you nicely.”

He snorts. “When?”

She purses her mouth into a frown. “I’ve been here longer than you.”

“Do you want to point me to the part in the lease agreement where it says seniority guarantees premium alley parking?”

“I’ll point you to exactly where you can go, you big?—”

“I’d love to keep chatting with you Krause, but I’m with a customer.”

She turns to me like she hadn’t registered I’ve been standing right here the whole time. Dropping her arms, her murderous gaze softens.

“I apologize,” she says, suddenly sugary sweet. “That was rude of me to interrupt.”

I brush off her apology. “It’snot a problem.”

“If you come in next door, I’ll give you a free hand pie to make it up to you.”

The bike shop owner’s eyes narrow on her, but otherwise, he doesn’t move.

I feel like I’m on a tightrope strung between the two, and one wrong step will spell disaster. “Thank you, but it’s not necessary.”

She turns back to him and lifts an eyebrow in a silent challenge. “Callahan.”

“Krause. Always good to see you.”

She spins on her heel and leaves the store, bells on the door jingling behind her.

Once she’s gone, the man’s shoulders relax. “Sorry about that. We, ah…aren’t on the friendliest terms.”

“No need to explain.” I won’t mention that the last couple I saw snipe at each other like that are married now. “Callahan—you wouldn’t be related to Charlie Callahan over at Moonlight Lodge?”

The flint that had been in his eyes when the woman was in here disappears. “That’s my sister. She and my folks run the place. Are you staying there?”

“For a couple more weeks. It’s an impressive location.” I don’t want to leave, but that’s not entirely due to my comfortable accommodations.

“It is. My grandparents started it, and my parents built it up. Now Charlie’s turning it luxury.” He wipes his greasy hands on a rag and extends one to me. “I’m Shepherd.”

“Grant. Good to meet you.” I nod at the array of bikes around us. “Is this place yours?”

“In all its glory.” He spreads his hands wide. “The high-end resort life wasn’t for me. I’m better with tires and gears any day.”

“I understand that.” If my folks’ business had leaned adifferent way, I don’t know if I would be as invested as I am. “I’m surprised there aren’t more bike rental shops in town, considering all the trails.”

“I’ll enjoy my monopoly while it lasts. I’ve been pushing for expanding the trails even more. If that means competition, I’ll take it.”

A couple with two small children walk through the shop’s doors. The boy and girl immediately run to the kids’ bikes, and Shepherd’s attention shifts their way.

“I’ll leave you to it.”

“Glad to meet you,” he says. “If you rent a bike again, let me know the type of trail you’re looking for, and I’ll point you in the right direction.”

“Will do.” I still want to get Lila on a ride, but we’d be better off on paved paths and cruiser bikes. Get in Gear has a wide selection of bicycles though, so that shouldn’t be a problem. I start to head out.

“And hey, Grant?”

I turn back to him. “Yeah?”

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