Page 5 of Perfect Cowboy

IpromisedmyselfthatI’d never set foot in this godawful town again.

But when you’re completely out of options – and money – then things that you never thought you’d do suddenly sound pretty wonderful.

Like returning to hell.

Like diving face-first into the fire.

Like living in a town where everyone – literally, everyone – hates me.

I’ve been keeping my gaze on the ground as much as possible, shuffling around like I have something to hide.

And I do.

My identity.

A black trucker cap is pulled low over my eyes, and I’m wearing loose clothes that will hopefully make me invisible.

If only the damn grocery line wasn’t moving so freakin’ slow.

And that’s when I hear it – his voice.

His. Voice.

Oh, no.

Shit, shit, shit.

Please, no.

What are the chances?

Well, considering a storm is on the way and this is the only grocery store in a town of just a couple thousand people, I guess the odds are stacked pretty high against me.

I should be used to being the underdog by now.

Gavin’s voice plunges me into a whole pile of memories. Some of them are the most painful of my life, and some of them are the very best.

But when I said everyone in this town hates me, that includes him.

Why on earth does this cashier have to move at a snail’s pace? She’s old enough to be God’s mother and I’m considering abandoning the cart when my turn finally comes up.

I load the groceries on the belt as quickly as possible, like my life depends on getting in and out of this store – and it does.

There isno wayI can let him see me.

“How are you, dear?” the cashier asks, making me feel bad about my uncharitable thoughts.

Panic will do that to a person.

“I’m great, thanks,” I return.

As though there isn’t a line of fifty people behind me, she starts talking about the weather while leisurely ringing through the groceries.

When she reads off the total, I wince. There is no money left in my bank account after my ex cheated on me and drained it, so I have no choice but to pay with a credit card.

A credit card that is dangerously close to being maxed out.

I pass the plastic rectangle to her, and she inspects it like she’s looking for the secrets of the Holy Grail.

---