Kayla
After my meeting, I slept on and off all day and night. Then yesterday, I took it easy. It’s not hard being stuck in a house when you have Brice to look at. He’s handsome, especially with his dark five o’clock shadow framing his square jaw.
Today we are getting out of the house, and he insisted on buying me a pair of boots, especially since I can stand to walk a little on my ankle again. Rock Springs might not have fancy restaurants, but they do have a store that sells boots. I guess the ranching town has its priorities.
Brice parks on Main Street, and then turns to me."Stay there and let me help you."
When I ditched the crutches today, Brice wrapped my ankle. With the flats Maggie loaned me, I can move around pretty easily. Thankfully, I'm in another maxi dress that hides my wrapped ankle.
Brice opens the door and lifts me out of his truck, tucking my arms into his. That way, as we walk into the store, I can lean on him as needed.
The moment the door opens, the smell of leather with a hint of lemon surrounds me.
The girl behind the counter just nods at Brice before going back to flipping through the magazine she's reading. She looks like she's in high school, so this is probably an easy weekend job, being as it's Saturday.
As we get to the back of the store where the boots are located, I take a look, but go right to the sale section to see what they have.
"An entire store full of boots and you hit the sale section?" Brice asks, surprised.
"I didn't grow up with money. When my mom and dad started the business, things were tight. Like, living in a one-bedroom house that sometimes didn't have hot water, kind of tight. It wasn't until I was in high school that money wasn't an issue anymore, but by them, we had learned to pinch a penny like no other. I still do. Yes, I like to spoil myself with things like Jimmy Choo’s, but I sure as hell didn't pay full price for them." I wink at him, and a look crosses his face that I can't read, but it's gone before I can try to figure it out.
His eyes are smiling at me in a way that lets me know he approves of my answer.
Igrab a few boots and try them on. The third pair fits really well, and they have some blue thread stitched through them that I love. They’ll go great with jeans, or even dressed up.
"Hey, Brice, I'm going to look at the clothes. Maybe get some jeans and stuff so Maggie can get some of her clothes back."
When he nods, I take my boots to the counter on the other side of the store. The store is large enough that Brice can't hear me talking to the girl behind the counter, whose name is Missy.
"Can I ask you a favor?"
"Sure, ma'am. What can I help you with?" she asks with a smile.
"Brice has been really helpful to me and I want to thank him. He’s eyeing a pair of boots over there. Can you get him to maybe try them on and get his size? Then add the pair to my order? I'm going to check on the clothes." I hand her a fifty-dollar bill and hold my finger to my lips.
Her eyes go wide, but a huge smile lights her face as she nods. She puts the money in her pocket and goes back to where Brice is.
Looking through the clothes, I fall in love with the first pair of jeans I try on. I get them in four different colors. As for shirts, there isn't a whole lot of choice. Button down flannel or graphic t-shirts seem to be it. I get a few of each and some socks. I look around again, wondering if this place sells fancy underwear? Spotting a display of intimate wear, I grab a few of those, too. It might not be anything I'd normally wear, but desperate times and all that.
The whole time I'm shopping, I keep an eye on Missy and Brice as she gets him to try on the boots. Even from here, I can tell he likes them. Then he glances at the price tag and frowns, setting them back on the shelf. Missy stands and organizes some of the boxes, and when Brice moves to the next aisle, she picks up the boots he tried on and brings them to the counter, flashing a smile my way.
I add the clothes to the stack, and Missy gushes, "That was so much fun! I felt like a secret agent."
I laugh as she rings up my order.
Just then, Maggie walks in with two other women who are chatting and laughing. It draws Brice’s attention, and he makes his way to the front of the store.
"Oh, girls, this is Kayla," Maggie says."This is my sister, Ella, Jason's wife."
"That's why you look familiar. Nice to meet you," I smile.
"And this is Anna Mae, my sister-in-law. We’re out for a sister day, kid-free!" Maggie adds.
"I love that little boy, but all he does is eat, sleep, and poop. I needed a break," Anna Mae says.
"He's only six weeks old!" Ella giggles.
"Oh, I wanted to thank you for letting me borrow some clothes," I tell Maggie.