Twist of Fate by Louise, Tia (free ebook reader for ipad .txt) 📗

and he nods to it. “You should show this one to Ms. Roxanne.”

Roxanne Philpot is one of the older ladies in the Village. Her husband died twenty years ago leaving her filthy rich, and she took the filthy part to heart. She makes regular trips to Hedonism, orders penis cakes from Emberly, dresses like Dolly Parton, and basically does whatever she wants.

She’s my hero.

“She’d put it in her living room,” I laugh.

I’m about to say more when a shadow falls over the door and my throat goes dry.

“You okay?” Chad hesitates.

The bell dings, and Scout appears like a star, stealing all the breath from my lungs.

He’s devastatingly handsome, even more today with the morning sunlight shining behind him, lighting the tips of his golden-brown hair.

He’s only wearing faded blue jeans and a black tee, but he’s so tall with those blue eyes and all that confidence. Muscular arms hang at his sides, and when he smiles, it’s like fireworks in my brain.

All the smart-girl confidence I had as a high school senior, even as a college graduate, desert me in the heat of his presence. I had all the answers back then. Now I never know what to expect from one day to the next.

Chad clears his throat, and I realize an awkward silence has fallen in the store. Scout’s eyes tear away from mine to the uniformed man standing beside him.

“Ah, you must be Chad. That makes more sense.”

“Chad Tucker.” Our friendly sheriff steps forward to shake his hand. “I’m at a disadvantage. You know me, but I don’t know you.”

“Scout Dunne. I’m an old friend of Daisy’s.”

I manage to find my voice. “We went to high school together in Fireside. Senior year.”

“Senior year?” Chad’s eyebrow arches, and I know he knows.

Anyone who spends as much time with Melody as he does can see this is her daddy standing in front of us.

My chin drops, and I add, “We kind of… caught up again after college.”

“Gotcha.” Chad shifts from one foot to the other, moving to the door. “Well, it’s nice meeting you, Scout. Maybe I’ll see you around?”

Scout studies him like he’s not sure what to make of the sheriff. “I’m not in a hurry to go anywhere, so yeah. Maybe you will.”

An edge is in his voice, and Sly’s voice is in my head, He’s jealous. Which is ridiculous. Scout could have any girl he wants, including me…

Chad cuts his eyes at me and grins. “That’s good. Stick around. See you, Daisy.”

The little bell tings as he leaves, and it’s just the two of us. Me with my heart pounding out of my chest and him looking like the all-American hot guy. I wish I’d put on some music so it wouldn’t be so quiet. This morning, I changed outfits five times before going with the denim shorts and long-sleeved sweater I’m wearing. Of course, I shaved my legs three times. I slept on pin curls last night. I spent too much time on my eyes and lips.

Scout steps closer, out of the sunlight, and my eyes trace the stubble on his square jaw. My fingers tingle with wanting to touch him.

“I’m not too early, am I? Sorry if I interrupted…”

“You’re fine.” My voice is quiet. So fine. “You haven’t changed a bit.”

“I’ve changed a lot, actually.” His chin dips, and he seems embarrassed.

Maybe that’s true, but he still has that easy swagger, that killer smile. That killer charm. “I’d never know from looking at you.”

He steps back, looking around the space. “So, this is your shop?”

“This is it.” I shrug, motioning with my arms.

Lamps and chairs, dressers and armoires are arranged in strategic locations. They’re covered in all types of accessories, and pictures hang on the walls. The stack of boxes from my dad’s store dominates the entrance.

“Dad helped me get started, then after he died, Spencer sent me a bunch of his things.” I motion to the tower of boxes. “It just arrived.”

“I heard about your dad. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I mean, some days are hard.” I pull back the flap on one of the boxes. “I had no idea how much he’d saved for us.”

“It looks like you’ve got a good business.”

“I’m doing well.” I nod, fumbling for the words, not sure what to say or how to get us to the crucial point. “I have everything I need.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” This time when he smiles, it’s not as sunny.

Again, an awkward silence falls between us. My mind spirals through all the ways to say it. I need to just say it. Why didn’t I rehearse this? Summoning all my strength, I squeeze my eyes shut and take a deep breath.

“There’s something I’ve been needing to tell you.”

His eyes blink to mine, and the bell on the door rings.

“Mama! Mama! Where are you?” Melody bursts into the room like a golden hurricane, jumping all around. “Coco and I watched a movie with a girl playing football! She was a princess just like me!”

I drop to my knees to catch my baby. “Hey, sweet girl! What’s that?”

Donna blusters in behind her, shoving a lock of thin blonde hair behind her ears. “Sorry I’m late. Liam has Lindsey, but Coco didn’t want to go to church. She was sulking that Melody didn’t have to go, and I had to call Emberly. Tabby came and got her, but it was only a few minutes ago…”

“She’s a quarterback, and she’s a princess!” Melody’s jumping up and down, demanding my attention. “Just like me!”

“Oh, about that.” Donna makes an apologetic face. “Liam thought it would be fun to watch that old Helen Hunt football movie with the girls. I hope you weren’t trying to wean her away from that or anything.”

“Helen Hunt?” I’m so confused. “I don’t know that movie.”

“It’s Quarterback Princess. I saw it on YouTube.” Scout steps up beside us. “Hey, I’m Scout.”

Donna straightens, taking his hand. “I’m Donna…” Her voice trails off as her eyes go from him to me to Melody and back