Page 87 of Omega's Refuge

With a sheepish laugh, I put the photos back in the box and closed the lid. Everyone had a past, so there was no point in getting bent out of shape over old photos. I had plenty of pictures of Steve and me tucked away at home in a closet. Though, I’d probably toss most of them when I got back to my apartment. My relationship with Steve was over for good. I had no reason to keep photos of us in happier times. Now, they were just a depressing reminder of how gullible I’d been.

Once I had the cabin straightened and organized, I decided to take a nap. My hand and head were throbbing, and I felt extremely low energy. I wanted to be alert when Rex finally got home later tonight, so a nap was just what I needed.

I fell into a deep sleep, and when I woke from my nap, I felt much better. After eating a turkey sandwich, I read for a bit. Around 4 p.m., Tom’s Hardware called to let me know my art supplies had arrived. I was surprised they’d come so quickly, but I wasn’t about to complain.

With Rex busy working, I had time to kill, so I decided to head into town to pick up my supplies. I wasn’t used to having so much free time, and there was only so much napping and sandwich-eating one could do. I needed my art to keep me occupied.

I didn’t feel right about borrowing a ranch vehicle again without asking, so I summoned my courage and headed to the main house to see Mrs. Rodwell. Her office door was open and she was sitting behind her desk looking over some ledgers.

She glanced up when I knocked softly on the door jamb. She looked surprised to see me. “Hello, Tanner. What can I do for you?” She pulled off her glasses, setting them on the desk.

“I was wondering if you’d mind if I borrowed one of the trucks again. I ordered some art supplies and the hardware store called and said they’ve arrived. Don’t worry. I won’t keep asking. I’ll have my car once Rex and I go to Billings on Saturday to get my things. I know it’s probably an inconvenience to have me borrowing the truck, soit won’t happen again after today.” I spoke quickly, stumbling over my words.

She leaned back in her chair. “Sure, you can borrow a truck.”

“Thank you.” I smiled weakly.

"No problem." She tilted her head, eyes narrowing slightly. "We can't have you walking into town in your condition, can we?"

“No, that probably wouldn’t be great.” I laughed awkwardly.

“How are you feeling after your snake bite?” She sounded sincerely interested.

“Low energy, but that might be the pregnancy too.”

She nodded, wrinkling her brow. “I suppose that’s true. I never had any children of my own so I have no experience being pregnant.”

I grimaced. “To be honest, I wish I wasn’t pregnant now.”

Her face tensed. “No, I’m sure you aren’t happy about that. Who wants to have the child of their ex? I wouldn’t. It was chivalrous of Rex to step in and save the day.”

“Yes.” She was right, but once more she made me feel like a charity case. “As you know, Rex wanted an omega and a family. He seems very happy with the situation.”

“Oh, sure.” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Rex is a man who makes the best of a situation.”

I had no idea how to respond to that.

“Was there anything else?” she asked politely.

“Well, I uh… I also wanted to thank you for getting the cabin ready so quickly for Rex and me.” I grimaced. “I know you have plenty to do with the new guests arriving yesterday.”

She lifted one shoulder. “It’s not like I cleaned the cabin myself. Sheila took care of that.”

“Right. Of course.” I inched toward the door. “Uh, thanks for letting me borrow the truck again.”

“Sure thing.” She put her glasses back on and went back to perusing the ledgers.

Feeling dismissed, I left her office and headed out to the truck. I worried I’d never get Mrs. Rodwell on my side. After that damn prune remark, I was probably in the dog house for good with her.

The keys were in the visor, so within minutes I was on my way into town. As I left the ranch behind, the road stretched out ahead, winding through rolling hills and open fields. Golden grasses waved in the gentle breeze, and clusters of pines dotted the landscape. Occasionally, a herd of cattle would come into view, grazing lazily under the wide Montana sky. In the distance, I could see the town of Red Mine nestled against the base of rugged mountains, the details of the buildings growing clearer as I drew closer.

I drove down Main Street and parked in front of Tom’s Hardware. A buzzer sounded as I entered the small shop, and an elderly woman reading a newspaper behind the counter smiled at me.

“Welcome,” she said, standing and setting the paper down. “You’re that young fella who ordered all the art supplies.”

“That’s right.” I was surprised she knew who I was.

“I remember you because I’m the only one who ever orders those types of things around here. I buy watercolor paints for my granddaughter. She just loves painting with watercolors. Our church pastor hung one of her paintings in the church as a way of encouraging her.”

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