Page 19 of March’s Bad Boy: Ty

My jaw tightens. "You got any leads on another place?"

"Not much left in town that's available, especially at what she was paying. But..." She pauses, and I hear the faint clink of her stirring a spoon in her coffee mug. "There is one place that mightwork. Bigger than her current shop, right across the street, but it needs some fixing up."

"I'll handle that."

Ruby chuckles. "I thought you might say that. Listen, I'll make some calls. The building owner is an old friend of mine, and I might be able to swing a deal on the rent."

"That'd mean everything to her and me."

"I know, sweetheart." Her voice softens. "I'll call you as soon as I know something."

Hanging up, I immediately fire off a text to Levi. He works in construction and is wanting to own his own construction company one day, so I know he'll take any side jobs he can get. Plus, he's my friend and so he will be willing to help.

Me: Got a project. Need your help.

Levi: You know I'm in. Can't wait to hear about it.

With that done, I slip back into Kara's room. She's curled into a ball, clutching the pillow like it's the only thing keeping her grounded. I settle beside her, careful not to wake her, and pull her close.

"We're going to fix this, Bookworm," I whisper against her hair. "I swear it."

The next morning, we head into town together. Kara looks exhausted with dark circles under her eyes, but there's a quiet determination there too. She's already thinking of ways to save her dream. I can see it.

I walk her to the bookstore door and we both pause.

"Want me to go in with you? I can help or just keep you company," I tell her, not ready to leave her yet.

"I think I will be okay. I have a lot of things to do. But I promise to call if I need you," she says with a forced smile.

It feels wrong walking away, but I do, and I head down to the tattoo shop. Stepping inside, I find Priest leaning against the front counter arms crossed. "Heard about the eviction."

I nod. "Yeah. It came out of nowhere."

He tilts his head toward the café across the street. "The old landlord was in there yesterday talking about the whole thing. Apparently the developer started to strong arm him. He kept saying he wasn’t ready to sell, but they kept upping the price. The developer paid twice what the value of the building was worth. The guy took it and said he was planning to retire in a few years anyway," Priest's lips curl in disgust.

"I don't think he realizes that those guys aren't in it to help Mustang Mountain," I say, while hoping there is a good side to it all.

“Nope, Apparently, it's the same developer that bought the Hot Springs, tried to buy Shane’s ranch, and sent that card to Atlas about it being the Riders last Christmas in Mustang Mountain,” Priest says.

Before I can reply, the bell over the door rings and we both turn to see who it is, assuming it's my first appointment.

My eyes go wide when I see Ruby walking through the door.

"Priest, I never thought I'd see the day I get to tattoo the mayor's wife," I say with a huge smile.

Ruby swats me playfully. "Hush, you. Ty, come talk to me."

She pulls me toward the back of the shop and lowers her voice. "I talked to my friend about the building. He's willing to let Kara move in and he’ll charge her the rent at the price she is paying now, but there's a catch."

There always is. "What's the catch?"

"The apartments upstairs need work. He wants to rent them out, but they need renovations. If you and your buddies can fix them up, he'll give Kara the space at a discount.”

"Who is this friend, Ruby?" I want to know because it all sounds too good to be true.

"Someone who wishes to remain under the radar and help a business he believes in. You have my word he is a good person, a local, and someone you can trust," she says.

I have faith in Ruby, and if she trusts this person, then I'm okay with it.

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