Page 9 of The Mountain Merman's Curvy Bride

6

Paige

My new employee,Rex, offers to spend the night in the shop to keep out any stragglers.

“Are you sure? I can camp out here.”

“No, ma’am. Boy, my ma would be angry if I let a woman spend the night in a shop without a door.”

I smile. This day has been pure shit but Rex has been a gem.

“OK, but please call me if anything happens or you need me to take over.”

At home, I take a long, hot shower. Gary showing up at my work scared me. Lachlan assuming the worst of me scared me as well. I was mad at him for believing Gary’s bullshit so quickly. I realize we had not discussed my ex yet but I refused to be OK with his angry reaction.

I dry off and get into my pajamas. Normally this was the time Lachlan and I would chat on the phone but I decide to watch a Dateline instead.

Dateline probably wasn’t the best choice but it did make me think. Gary had busted in demanding I come back to him. He had lost his job and apparently realized I was good to keep around to pay the bills. I don’t know how far he would have taken his attack on me but I am grateful that Lachlan returned when he did.

After the episode, I step out onto my patio and take a few long drags off my vape. I need to end this day and get some good sleep.

I stop at the donut shop near my place and grab coffee and donuts to share with Rex. It’s a perfect Spring day and I feel my mood lifting as I walk down Main Street. I see Donna sweeping the steps outside her market and stop to chat.

“Nice new door you got there,” she says cheerfully to me.

“New door?”

I look across the street at my store and see a brand new door has been installed.

Donna laughs.

“Did you forget? Looks like it’s quite intricate! I’ll stop by later to admire it closer.”

I check both ways and run across the street. The door looks to be oak, with mythological creatures carved into it. It’s absolutely gorgeous.

“Uh, Rex?” I call out, hands too full to knock.

“Ma’am!” Rex opens the door, “Look at what Mr. Atwater installed. Isn’t it a beaut?”

“Mr. Atwater?”

“Hey,” Lachlan comes out from behind the book stacks.

“Rex, here, go enjoy these donuts at home. Thank you so much for keeping an eye on the place last night.”

Rex pops a donut between his teeth and mumbles “no problem” as he leaves.

“I brought you these as well.”

Lachlan hands me a bouquet of tulips, similar to what I saw him throw on the ground yesterday, but even bigger.

“Lachlan…”

“I know it doesn’t make up for my behavior but you deserve beautiful flowers. Hell, you deserve everything. I behaved like a stupid ass and I’m sorry. I am so used to being on my own and I let my temper take control. Which is absolutely no excuse. I should have known to trust the woman I’m in love with and I am really sorry I did not.”

Lachlan heads to the door to leave.

“Wait.”

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