Page 35 of The Stone Family Warrior

Chapter 9

It wasn’t hard for Trent to occupy himself the next day. He’d been up with the sunrise, running on the beach, and then he’d gone to work doing a little cleaning around the inn. He should have done that stuff right away when everyone left on the cruise, but he hadn’t.

He started laundry and tidied up his room. He did a thorough cleaning of the kitchen, checking the fridge and freezer for things he would need for dinner. He made a mental list of the things he would need to get at the little grocery store in town. Trent grinned, thinking about the manager of the grocery store, Sharon. She was one of his friends from high school, and she catered to his love of meats and always tried to make sure they had whatever he wanted. He’d been in there three days ago and ordered a couple steaks and a brisket. Even though he was only cooking for himself, meat was important.

The funny part about this non-date, or whatever they were calling this, was that he couldn’t deny the fact that he felt charged up. In fact, he felt better than he’d felt in days, maybe weeks. The intense way he’d been studying the numbers fell into the background for the first time. Definitely still a priority, yes. But he couldn’t deny that hanging out with Liberty made him feel happy, carefree.

It was interesting to him that as he walked through town, stopping at Oliver Browne’s beachwear clothing store since he wanted a new shirt for tonight, he found being back in South Port almost bearable. Even though the lights were decorated and there was Christmas music, it was okay.

He stopped in at Cheryse’s salon and found her between clients. She was studying her calendar intently at the front. “Hey,” she said when he walked in.

He moved to her side, pulling her in for a hug. “Hey yourself.”

“You’re in a good mood,” she said, letting him go and beaming at him. “Does this have anything to do with Liberty?” Her expression was unmistakably smug.

“Maybe.”

“Nice. I still need to get together with her.”

“Not tonight you don’t.”

Another smug smile. “You’re getting together.”

“I’m cooking meat for her.”

“Does she know how deep she’s already in?”

Trent shrugged off the comment. “It’s just smoking meat.”

Cheryse laughed and gently pushed his shoulder. “It’s okay, Trent. I think it’s great.”

“Do you?” His heart raced and he thought of getting into it with Roger, but he didn’t want to fight with her.

“I do. I think things might just work out.”

“Don’t go that far.”

Cheryse grinned. “Don’t run away, babe slayer, all I’m saying is that it seems like she’s kind of had a hard year, and maybe you can bring some fun to her life. You’re good at that, you know.”

Trent was surprised by the compliment. “Thank you.” It was stupid, because he was actually a bit nervous. “I … I don’t want it to be just casual with Liberty. I …” He didn’t even know how to say it.

“You kind of like her?”

He thought about how they’d talked so easily last night in the hot tub and how he wanted to know more about her. He thought of all the crap she’d been through. “I do.”

Cheryse gave him a soft smile. “I’m happy for you.”

If it was any other woman, there would be some game or strategy behind that comment, but it was Cheryse and he knew she meant it. “Thank you.” It was interesting that he didn’t even feel any of the jealousy that usually plagued him when talking to Cheryse. “How’s Mr. Haarvaard?” He did the annoying accent.

She pointed at him, her happy face turning angry. “Is that how you and Hunter are talking about him?”

Unable to stop himself, he backed away. “Nope, not at all.” He moved to the door and pushed it back. “See ya, Cheryse.”

She followed him out. “You’d better not call Roger that. Stop it. Stop that nickname right now.”

He shrugged. “You know none of us get to pick our nicknames. Sorry!”

She glared at him. “You and Hunter are so annoying."

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