Breene, K F - Jessica Brodie Diaries 01 by Back in the Saddle (v5.0) Read Free Book Online

for the paper bag,
wondering if my face was as red as it felt. Usually a couple things would be
happening at this point. First, the next person in line, no matter how patient,
would start stamping his foot, have pity on his face but not hide his intense
frustration at me making him late to his next engagement. Even if he had
nowhere to be, he would feel late. Life in the city, as it were.
    Second, the overworked, underpaid
cashier would be pissed at having his day interrupted by someone that was in a
grocery store with no money. Only a dingle-berry would go to a store without
their wallet. The cashier would commence treating the patron, me, like said
dingle-berry.
    Strangely enough, Ronnie the
Cashier was not mad in any way. The opposite in fact. Even though, not that
long ago, he had to rebuild a display in my honor, he did not wear even a hint
of a frown.
    Odd, that.
    I looked over at the next person in
line with the same apology on my face, forgetting of course that he was
completely gorgeous and turned me to goo. My legs got rubbery as his eyes
probed mine.
    Luckily for my fear of
embarrassment, I looked away as quickly as possible and was able to gain
composure. Small steps.
    I reached for the groceries,
wondering how long it would take to put everything back. To my surprise, Ronnie
had taken the bag into his hands and was coming around the counter.
    “It’s okay, ma’am. It ain’t much
you got here. Where ya livin’?”
    Confused, I told him the address,
then heard a slight shuffle behind me. Curious, I turned to investigate and met
intense puzzlement, which was strange. Oh, my, who cares, look away. God, but
he was gorgeous.
    God broke the mold when he made
you.
    Are you tired? Tired from running
through my mind all day?
    Did it hurt? When you fell from
Heaven?
    “Oh, Ms. Peek’s place?” Ronnie
asked helpfully.
    “Uh...her name is Gladis? I don’t
know her last name. In her cottage out back. I just moved in today.”
    “That’s her, you bet! Well then,
you’ll be right back here in no time. Ain’t many places to shop as close as
this here!”
    I had been reminding myself of that
unhappy fact through this whole experience.
    “I can put this here on credit, no
problem. Just pay it next time around. And if you got a new wallet, I’ll know
why!” He started laughing as he handed me my bag of groceries.
    I can tell you I was relieved. I
forgot toothpaste and had lost my hairbrush. There were necessities in this bag
that I needed immediately, as well as in the morning. Going without was
possible, but not pretty.
    However, I was not used to this. I
stared at him for a minute, wondering if what he said was genuine. After I was
sure it wasn’t a trick, I gave him a tentative smile, and a small step toward
the door, just to give him time to yell at me or demand blood payment.
    He gave me an encouraging nod.
    I finally relaxed in a relieved,
purely joyful smile. I could be mortified later. Now, happy.
    Ronnie returned my smile with a
weird stare. I hadn’t eaten anything in a while, but no telling what might be
in my teeth. I decided it was time to get out of there quickly. Concern for the
lost wallet would come later.
    I clutched the bag closer and off I
went. I barely heard the low, exotic drum of Apollo’s voice speaking to Ronnie.
I might have ruined my chance with a man like none I found in L.A. ,
but at least I could wash my face, body, and clean my teeth. Small miracles.
    Whatever. Where there was one hot
man, there were bound to be others. This was Texas ,
after all. Land of men. Men’s men. Real men. Men who made things with their
bare hands. Men that had muscles from real life, not just lifting a barbell.
Cowboys that had nice butts and cool hats and rode horses. I could find
another.
    I got back to my new home, put my
stuff away, found my wallet on the coffee table where I left it, sighed hugely
for an imaginary audience, then showered for dinner. I didn’t need a mental
note to head to the store