Page 16 of Sheltering His Second Chance

The last year together they weren’t even having plain, mediocre sex. He always seemed too tired and she found herself reaching for her vibrator because it took less energy.

She had missed all the signs that she and Gray were in big trouble.

“We’re heading into Second Chance now. I need to stop off at the hardware store. You thinking about those boots?”

She hated to admit it but the cowboy was right. She didn’t want to ruin another pair of her pumps. Now that she was living on one income, and that could be ending soon, spending hundreds of dollars on pumps seemed frivolous. “Any suggestions where I should go?”

“Something tells me you’re not into basic anything that you’ll find at the Mercantile. I’ve heard my sisters-in-law mention some shop on Main that has cowgirl boots. They were ranting about cute clothes too. I’m guessing cute is good.”

“Where there are sisters-in-law there are brothers. How many?”

“Just five.” He braked at the red light.

“Only five?

He turned to look at her, a smile lifting the corners of his lips. “Why does that always shock city folk?”

“I’ve always wanted siblings. I was a surprise baby for my parents and they were never into surprises.” She laughed.

“No parent of the year awards for them?”

“They were—are—wonderful parents. They were always on the eccentric side which made my childhood very interesting.”

“Do they live in Chicago?” he asked.

“No. They moved to Florida last year when they retired from their teaching positions at the community college. They wanted to downsize and live a more tranquil existence.” She watched the light turn green but he made no move to pull ahead.

The light turned red again.

“I always wondered what people saw in all that sunshine. We ranchers love when it gets cooler. The livestock love it too. Yet, we see a lot more activity on the mountain.” He jutted his broad chin toward the mountain backdrop. “More injuries.”

The light switched to green.

A car behind them beeped and Raven waved, then turned the truck left. “There’s the shop.” He pointed at a brick building with colorful flower boxes, bright pink curtains pulled back on the windows and matching awning. The sign read,Rustic Glam.“At the end of the block is a corner market if you need to grab some food. There are no personal chefs here.”

She decided to let the snide remark go.

He parked, slid out and whistled. Chow jumped out.

Parker guessed that was her cue. She slid out and swiped her gaze up and down the sidewalk feeling a bit like a fish out of water.

“I’ll meet you back here in an hour.” He started to cross the street.

“Hey,” she yelled after him. When he turned to look at her, she said, “I realize that I don’t know your name.”

“Raven.”

She smiled. “Just Raven?” But her words landed on deaf ears. He’d already crossed the street. The unique name suited him.

A group of elderly men were sitting at a small table playing cards outside of an antique store and they all paused in their banter about the price of gas to stare at her when she stopped to check out items in the window display. Feeling their inquisitive glares, she offered the men a friendly smile. “I must have forgotten to tuck away my angel wings.” She winked.

A balding man with a distinctive round, ruddy face shrugged. “Did it hurt when you fell from Heaven?”

The man sitting next to him elbowed the man. “Good one, sly fox.”

“You fellows have Google?” she asked.

Several scratched their heads while another piped up proudly, “I do.”

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