Page 17 of Forbidden Love

“Thanks,” Emily huffed as they set it on the floor. “I was going to ask Hunter to get this down for me but forgot.”

Deb studied her sister, her frown deepening. Emily’s usual glow was missing, replaced by an exhausted pallor that made the shadows under her eyes more pronounced.

“Are you feeling okay? You look a little pale.”

Emily let out a weary sigh and leaned against the counter. “Not really. I’ve just been so damn tired lately. And then last night, Hunter came in late, which—” She paused, her hazel eyesnarrowing slightly. “That reminds me… what happened at the restaurant?”

Deb snorted, shaking her head. “Wow, news really does travel fast in this town.” Then, with a humorless chuckle, she added, “Guess I should know that better than anyone, huh?”

The weight of her own words settled heavily between them, a bitter reminder of who she used to be—the woman who had once thrived on spreading the kind of gossip that was now circling back to her.

“Nothing, just some of the new guys Jonah brought in saying things.” Deb shrugged, not wanting to talk about the embarrassing incident.

Emily crossed her arms, her gaze sharp and knowing. “Well, it must have been more than nothing because Hunter said Brock beat the crap out of one of them.”

Deb’s stomach twisted. She sighed, rubbing a hand over her face before reaching for a cookie just to have something to do with her hands.

“It wasn’t a big deal,” she muttered, breaking off a piece of the cookie but not eating it.

Emily arched an eyebrow. “Brock doesn’t seem like the type to throw punches for ‘not a big deal.’”

Deb hesitated, feeling the weight of her sister’s scrutiny. The truth was, she didn’t know what to do with the way Brock had reacted. The anger in his eyes, the way his entire body had tensed like he was barely holding himself back—it had been unsettling and… something else. Something she didn’t want toname. She was shocked to learn that there was a confrontation after he had walked her home.

She forced a smirk, shrugging one shoulder. “Guess he just doesn’t like assholes.”

Emily wasn’t buying it, but to Deb’s relief, the bell above the door rang, indicating a customer had entered. Talk about being saved by the bell.

“This conversation isn’t over.” Emily frowned at her and then grinned. “I also heard you were having dinner with Brock. He’s a very handsome man.” She wiggled her eyebrows before heading toward the customer who was browsing through the clearance rack they had set up.

Hearing the buzzer at the back door, she headed that way, thankful their delivery was there. The busier they were, the less Emily could ask questions that Deb really didn’t want to answer.

As Deb stepped into the back of the store, she pushed open the dock door. The early morning light spilled in, and a familiar figure stood waiting.

Gary, clipboard in hand, offered her a warm, easy grin, the kind that never wavered, no matter the day.

“Hey, Gary,” she greeted, returning the smile as she walked toward him.

“Deb, how are you doing today?” he asked, his tone as cheerful as always.

Deb appreciated that about him. Gary had been delivering to the Feed Mill since her parents ran it. He was one of the few people she didn’t feel the need to avoid. She had a soft spot for Gary, always had.

“Can’t complain,” she said, though they both knew people only said that when they had plenty to complain about. No sense unloading her crap on Gary. “What have we got today?”

He glanced at his clipboard before unlatching the back of his truck and swinging the doors open. Inside, stacks of lumber lined the trailer bed, along with a few scattered boxes.

“Not too much today,” he said. “Mostly lumber.”

Deb smirked as she grabbed a pair of work gloves and hopped into the truck bed. “Guess I needed my exercise today.”

As she started shifting the first load of wood toward the edge, she noticed Gary moving slower than usual. He winced slightly as he reached for the step, his usual steady movements replaced with hesitation.

“There’s cookies and coffee in the front,” Deb told him with a frown. “I’ve got this. It’s not much.”

“If my boss ever found out I was letting customers empty my truck, I’d be fired,” Gary said as he once again tried to get into the back of the truck.

Deb shot him a look as she tossed a piece of lumber to the side. “First off, I’m not just a customer. Second, I’d like to see them try and fire you. I would stop doing business with them. Plus, you’re the only delivery guy anyone in this town actually likes.”

Gary huffed a chuckle but still hesitated, rubbing his lower back as he eyed the load. Deb noticed the wince he tried to hide and softened her tone.

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