Page 108 of Hard to Love
She nodded once and retreated inside her room.
That would have to do for now.
Alex headed for the backdoor, yanked it open, and bellowed, “Nic, Maria and I are going to the artisan village so she can paint. You with us?”
He jogged up the steps. “If she’s going, then I’m going. But she’ll need some paints.”
A quick call to Delaney and twenty minutes later, he and the kids pulled up to Bostick’s in Raylene’s car. She’d handed him the keys with a wide smile, saying, “This is a day you’ll remember for the rest of your life.”
Yeah, it was the day he and Greer would either move forward or break apart.
“What the hell?” Nic asked, hitching his chin toward the general store’s front display. Two mannequins were standing on either end of the windows, each holding a red plastic cup in one hand and in the other, a toilet seat branded withParadise Garden Redneck Gifts. Near their feet were wrought iron lamps without bulbs or shades. The dude on the right had his sights set on the far lamp and his arm cocked behind him as if he were about to toss that toilet seat.
Maria giggled. “I think they’re playing horseshoes.”
A grin spread across Alex’s face. “Yeah, you never want to miss what’s going on here in Bostick’s front window.”
He used what was left of the cash in his wallet to buy Maria every paint color her heart desired, then they headed toward Wild Card and parked near the barn.
“This is all mine?” Maria asked.
“Only thing you have to do is make sure the place’s name is on it.”
“I can do that.” She and Nic climbed from the car and Alex popped the trunk so they could grab her paints. Nic lined up her spray cans near the extension ladder leaning against the sign. He’d obviously served as Maria’s artistic wingman in the past.
Before Alex could decide whether to wait and watch or go find Greer in the barn, someone tapped on his window. Cal Maddox. Alex pushed open his door. If he had to face Greer’s brother, he sure as hell wouldn’t do it sitting down.
“What’s with the kids?” Eyes narrowed, Cal watched Nic and Maria.
“They’re with me now. My brother was running down the wrong road in the city. I’ve found Prophecy’s a pretty open-minded place. It’s small enough and safe enough for me to keep an eye on my brother and my…” His what? “…Maria.”
“You never struck me as much of a family man.”
“I love your sister, and if she’ll have me, I’ll be the best damn family man you’ve ever seen.”
“You damn well better be.” Cal bent his head over his phone, and not a minute later, Delaney came loping across the pasture with a large envelope in one hand and a box under her other arm.
At the sight of that box, Alex’s heart jolted.
“Where’s Greer?” Delaney asked breathlessly.
“On her way,” Cal said.
“Good. That’ll give me a chance to give Alex this first.” She passed the envelope to him.
“What is it?”
“The contract I should’ve handed you the first day you walked into PBC.”
“But what about Holcombe?”
“You know, it was the strangest thing. Once I got a good look at his piece, I realized it reminded me of something I’d seen recently. Interesting how he just happened to come up with the idea for a Day of the Dead boot top, one on black leather with thorn crosses.”
“That bast—”
Delaney held up a hand. “Doesn’t matter now, and believe me, after Cal and I chatted with him, the guy won’t ever again show his face in Prophecy.”
“Not if he likes it attached to his head,” Cal muttered.
