Page 5 of On His Ranch

Whoever was standing on the other end of the door must have heard her because the knocking stopped. But it did nothing to quell her irritation, which was why when she threw it open she snarled, “What?”

“Listen, I’m really sorry to bother you, Piper…”

Her mouth dropped open and a second later heat suffused her cheeks. She couldn’t believe she’d been yelling at Mr. Laskey, who was the sweetest man alive in addition to being her landlord. “M-Mr. Laskey… I… I’m so sorry, I didn’t know it was you. Not that I should, um, ever talk to anyone like that, I just didn’t… I didn’t know,” she finished lamely, her face getting hotter by the second.

“That’s okay, I understand, it’s early.”

Which was a nice thing to say and all, except it only made her feel more like crap. She cleared her throat, pulling down on the hem of her T-shirt self-consciously. “Uh, thanks. So, um, what can I do for you, Mr. Laskey?”

The older man scratched his balding head and avoided her eyes. “Listen, I really hate to do this…”

Piper’s hand tightened on the doorknob as her stomach sank.

“The thing is… ah, you’re really far behind. I was stopping by to see if you have any idea when you’ll be able to catch up the rent.”

She took a deep breath, hoping that her voice wouldn’t shake when she spoke. “I’m really sorry, Mr. Laskey. I know I owe you for the last two months, but I’ve been paying on it whenever I can.”

Now he was the one with pink cheeks. It was clear he didn’t enjoy this part of his job. “I know, and I get that things have been rough for you, but you already owe eight-seventy from the last two months, and now this month’s is due, too.”

Her grip on the doorknob was so tight the metal was hot in her hand. “Is it the fifth already?” She laughed weakly, but he didn’t join in. In fact, her words only seemed to make him more embarrassed.

“Yes. Now while I’ve waived any late fees—”

“Thank you, I really appreciate that.”

He still avoided her gaze as he said, “Your balance at this point is pretty significant. I know you haven’t been able to find work…”

“I’ve been looking for a part-time job while I work on my business,” she offered.

“Ah, yeah, I know you’ve told me that, but—”

“Give me just a sec, I’ll be right back.” Piper left him standing in the doorway as she walked to the end table and grabbed a brochure off the top. She also snatched up her robe and was tying it around her waist as she made her way back to him. “Here.”

Mr. Laskey hesitated for a moment, but he was too nice of a man to refuse her. “It’s… nice.”

She beamed at him. She was very proud of the pamphlets she’d designed and ordered. The top said ‘Piper’s Playthings’ in large teal cursive letters and beneath it were four pictures. The first was of a large stuffed gray bunny with a pink flowered ponytail holder over each ear wearing a blue gingham dress. There was a dapper elephant in a top hat and tuxedo, a monkey dressed in pajamas, and the last one was a black and white photograph that showed a well-worn though dapper bear. It was her own bear she’d had since she was five years old.

“This is my business. Or, I mean, it will be. One day.”

“Forgive me for asking, Piper… I’m an old man and I don’t always know these things…”

“You’re not old.” She reached out and gave his arm a squeeze.

His normally ruddy complexion deepened. “So, what is it? A store that sells stuffed animals?”

“Yes, but…” She trailed off, unsure of how to explain what her vision really was. Or if she even should. “I want it to be a place where people can go to be themselves. Not necessarily the person people see when they look at them, but their truest selves, the person they really are, deep down. And maybe other people will come in looking for a birthday gift, and find something that speaks to them, and discover a part of themselves they never knew existed.” Piper flushed, but it was a mixture of embarrassment for babbling and pride in her dream. “I don’t know if that makes sense.”

Mr. Laskey gave her a long, assessing look before he slowly began to nod. “Yes. Yes, Piper, I think it does.”

“Really?” A grateful smile spread across her lips.

“I do. And it’s clear you’re passionate about what you’re saying, which is more than some folks have. But Piper…”

“I know,” she cut in. “I know you can’t keep cutting me breaks. See, I took out a loan for my business, and I thought I should be able to get it off the ground, but it’s taking longer than I thought, and…” She trailed off helplessly because that was only half the story. The other half was that she was out of money and still needed more. Worse still, she had plenty of other bills to catch up on top of worrying about where the additional money to fund her business would come from.

“I really need you to pay up, or, ah, find somewhere else to stay. I’m sorry, I really am, Piper, but…”

The pride she’d felt only moments ago vanished, replaced by shame that felt like a physical weight in her soul. “I know.” She blinked her big green eyes rapidly to keep the tears that threatened at bay.

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