Page 11 of Tattered and Torn

“What about the farmers market?”

“That’s held in the church parking lot on Wednesdays and Saturdays, nine to four.”

“So, there’s one tomorrow?” She looks at me with a hopeful glint in her eye.

“I don’t suppose you’d want to go.”

“I’d love to. Killian told me he has a Jeep I can drive, but I guess it’s in the shop right now for maintenance. I’ll need a ride.”

I sigh. I know what I’ll be doin’ tomorrow. “I have a trail ride scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, but I’ve got some free time in the morning. I’ll take you.”

“Thank you! It’s a date.” She grins. “Well, you know what I mean.”

“I do.” I park in front of Emerson’s and shut off the engine. “We might as well start here. Hopefully Maggie’s in today. She and her husband take turns manning the store.”

We get out of the truck and walk inside. Immediately, I spot Maggie behind the sales counter ringing up a sale. “Hey, Maggie,” I say when she’s free. “This is Gabrielle Hunter, the new—”

Maggie comes tearing around the sales counter the instant she hears Gabrielle’s name. “Oh, my God, you’re actually here!” Gabrielle holds her hand out to shake, but Maggie’s havin’ none of that. She pulls Gabrielle in for a hug. “I’m so glad to finally meet you. Hannah’s been talking about nothing else for the past month. I feel like I already know you.” She laughs. “Hannah’s so excited to finally get the restaurant off the ground. You are a godsend, that’s for sure.”

“I’m excited to be here,” Gabrielle says.

“So, what brings you in today?” Maggie asks.

Gabrielle nods to me. “John offered to give me a tour of town and introduce me to folks. And while I’m here, I’d like to pick up some ingredients for dinner tonight.”

“John?” Maggie grins at me.

“Apparently, Gabrielle’s offended by the idea of calling me Burke.” But the truth is, I really don’t mind what Gabrielle calls me. She can call me anything she likes. I scan the store looking for Maggie’s husband. “Is Owen around?”

“He’s at home doing daddy duty.” To Gabrielle, she says, “We have a two-month-old daughter, Claire.”

The door opens and Maggie’s 18-year-old son, Ryan, walks in. “Hey, Mom. Owen said you needed help unpacking some deliveries.”

Maggie points to the back of the store. “Boxes are in the storeroom. Thanks, honey. I really appreciate it.”

“No problem,” the kid says as he shuffles off to the back of the building. He tosses me a wave. “Hey, Burke.”

“Hey, Ryan,” I say.

“So, what can I help you with?” Maggie asks Gabrielle.

“I’ll be building a menu for the restaurant, and what I can make depends a lot on what ingredients I can source. I’m hoping to purchase locally, and preferably organic.”

“I can help you with a lot of that. With the amount of food you’ll be buying, I can give you a decent discount.” Maggie motions for Gabrielle to follow her. “Come on, I’ll show you the produce department.”

I point toward the back of the store. “While you ladies talk vegetables, I’ll lend Ryan a hand with the boxes.” Making my escape, I head for the storage room. “Need some help?” I ask Ryan.

The kid nods. “Sure. How about opening up these boxes so I can unload them?”

I pull a pocketknife out of my back jeans pocket and start slicing open boxes.

“So, who’s the hot redhead?” Ryan asks, trying to sound nonchalant as he unpacks a box of toilet paper.

I freeze, the knife embedded in the top seam of a box. “Watch it, kid. She’s Ms. Hunter to you. She works for Hannah and Killian, so unless you want them breathin’ down your neck, I’d mind my manners if I were you. And as far as you’re concerned, don’t call her hot or the redhead. It’s disrespectful.”

“I didn’t mean anything rude by it,” Ryan says a bit sullenly. “I just meant she’s pretty.”

“She’s also too old for you, so forget it.”

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