Page 88 of Omega's Refuge

“That’s fantastic. Does she sell a lot of her art?”

She cackled. “Oh, heavens no. She’s only three years old.”

“Oh.” I laughed. “I misunderstood.”

“She does want to be an artist when she grows up.” She shuffled around the counter, still chuckling. “Right now, I guess you’d say her style is abstract, but she thinks she’s painting things realistically. She’ll paint a big red blob and tell me it’s a cow, and I just nod and smile.”

“You’re supportive, that’s great. Nothing crushes creativity like criticism.”

“I’d never criticize anything she does. She’s the apple of my eye.” She beamed. “Now, you just amuse yourself by looking around the shop while I go find your box in the backroom. It might take me a minute; we got a load in this afternoon.”

“No rush. Take your time.” I went down one of the aisles that had picture hanging hardware. Rex had some paintings I wanted to hang up in our cabin, but I didn’t have any of the stuff I needed. Rex had just used bare nails to hang the art before, but I felt like we could do better than that. I wanted to grab some heavy duty picture hangers and do it right.

I was thrilled when I actually found the hangers I needed quickly, and then I killed time wandering up and down the aisles, waiting for the clerk to return. I was standing on the plumbing aisle, lost in thought, when the buzzer over the door sounded. I glanced over distractedly and locked eyes with Vance. My stomach tensed as we recognized each other.

He didn’t look any happier to see me than I was to see him. But he did the polite thing and came over to say hi. “Hello again,” he said, his smile seeming forced.

“Hey, Vance.” I tried to sound congenial, not wanting him to catch on that I was jealous of him and Rex.

“How are you—Tanner isn’t it?”

“That’s right.” I didn’t buy for one second he hadn’t immediately remembered my name. “I’m doing well, and you?”

“Oh, I’m peachy.” He gestured to the display of toilet plungers I just happened to be standing in front of. “Having bathroom issues?”

I grimaced at the display. “Oh, uh, no. I didn’t really notice what I was standing in front of.”

“Sure. Sure.” He smirked. “It’s okay. We all plug up the toilet on occasion.”

My face warmed. “I didn’t… plug up anything. I really didn’t know I was standing near these plungers.”

“Uh, huh.” He laughed. “Whatever you say, Tanner. Maybe try eating less roughage.”

To be polite, I laughed, even though I was annoyed by his taunting. But I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he was just razzing me because he didn’t know how else to handle the awkward situation. A lot of people used humor when they felt uncomfortable.

He gestured toward my bandaged hand. “I was sorry to hear about your snake bite. You seem to be recovering well since you’re up and about.”

I held up my hand, frowning. “My hand is a bit stiff, but so far so good.”

“Snakes are a real danger out here. I’m surprised you got bit when Rex was with you. He’s usually super careful.”

“It wasn’t his fault. I… I didn’t zip up the tent when I got out of it in the morning.”

He twisted his lips. “I see. Well, you’re a pampered city boy, after all. You don’t usually have to worry about snakes where you come from.”

“You’re right about that,” I said brightly. He was being an ass, but I wasn’t going to let him see he was bugging me.

“It’s good you weren’t hurt more seriously.” He fingered a package of mousetraps that hung on a hook over the shelves. “I don’t suppose that little accident has made you want to run back to the city?”

“No.” I didn’t think it was my imagination he’d sounded hopeful. “It was a scary experience, but I’m not going anywhere.”

“Too bad.” He turned to me, his expression sly. “It’s been boring around here since you stole Rex from me.”

I stiffened, surprised at how crass he was being. “I… I didn’t steal him, Vance.”

His laugh was a little too loud. “I know. I’m just kidding. No hard feelings. Rex is a big boy and he makes his own decisions.”

Despite his words, I felt his resentment simmering beneath the surface. I tried not to let it get to me. I understood why he was upset. Losing Rex to me probablywasgut-wrenching. I’d no doubt feel the same toward him if our positionswere reversed. He’d known Rex a long time, and despite Rex insisting they’d never been serious, I had a feeling Vance had hoped things would head in that direction.

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