Page 35 of Wildest Dreams

My bottom lip quivers and I look away from her.

“You’re under our roof, Dixie. This is not your burden. Let us look after you for a while...” she squeezes my hand before stepping away from the cart and wrapping me inside her arms in a motherly embrace. “You deserve to be cared for, sweet girl,” and I choke out a sob.

My tears run through her shirt, but she doesn't push me away. Just cradles me like I am a little girl who needs their mom. She holds me until I have nothing left to cry.

“Now, wipe your pretty face of those tears, and let’s get Lainey some new clothes. Then we will stop at the store for you on our way back into town.” Her cool hand cups my face, brushing her thumb across my cheeks. “No more tears,” she smiles, and I return it.

Pulling into the parking lot, I slip Lainey from her car chair and feed her in the back of the truck. She was fussing and I didn't know how long Orla was going to keep us in here for. She told me that this is where they've always come for their clothes and the boys still come here now. She told me if I was going to work on the Rivera Ranch, I needed to dress like a Rivera. Just a lot prettier.

Lainey was changed and full and back into another cart. Orla brought her a brown stuffed floppy horse and she hasn't let go of it. Her little fingers grasped tightly round the horses leg as she dangles it over the handle, babbling away to it and my heart melts.

The bell chimes as we walk through the door and the overbearing smell of leather burns through my senses.

“There she is, our favorite Rivera lady,” an older man calls from behind the counter.

“Oh, stop it Eddie,” Orla waves him off, shaking her head from side to side.

“Riggs need new chaps again?” he rolls his eyes.

“Nope, not here for Riggs today, we're here for Dixie,” she turns to look at me, beaming with what feels like pride. But I have no idea why she would be proud of little old me.

“Well, hello there Dixie. I'm Eddie and I own Hats 2 Horses,” he runs his fingers around the rim of his hat then tips it down.

“Hi Eddie,” I stay close to Orla. “Why the name?”

“Why not? You can literally get hats and horses.”

Puzzled I turn to Orla.

“He also sells horses,” her lips twist.

“Yeah but she won't ever buy a horse from me, she always uses the Warren lot with the murderer son.”

My blood chills.

Orla clears her throat, stepping forward.

“Now, now, Eddie… no one likes a gossip,” her brows raise, tone full of warning.

Eddie dips his head for a moment. “She is starting on the ranch, she has nothing so we need to kit her out,” his eyes sweep over me, but not in a creepy way. “Can you help us Eddie or do I need to take my business elsewhere?” Orla's tone is clipped, and I know she is reacting to his earlier comment.

I'm wearing a white bardot top, a denim jacket and black high waisted jeans with sneakers.

“Well, you brought her to the right place,” he winks at Orla but she is fussing over Lainey. Eddie walks out from behind the counter, and I notice his prosthetic leg. “Wondering what happened?”

My cheeks burn at being caught.

“Used to be a bull rider. Got crushed in the gate one day. They couldn't save my leg.” He lets out a soft sigh, but his face is still glowing with a smile. “I'm alive, and I am grateful for that. I live a great life and I am happy. What more could I want or need?” he asks me, and I give a soft shrug of my shoulder.

He gives me another sweeping look before he is off and grabbing all items of clothing, throwing them over the racks.

“Taylor!” Eddie bellows and a young man walks onto the store floor, his eyes searching for Eddie.

“Yeah dad?”

“Reach up and grab the tan cowboy boots for me please son,” Eddie nods up at the higher shelf before looking over his shoulder at me. “Size five?”

“Yeah.” I give him a puzzled look before looking down at my dirty old sneakers.

---