Chapter Nine
Krystina
I hadn’t had a dream about Gentry Hollis in years. I hadn’t had that particular nightmare since a week before my wedding, as I started to lose hope that he would come for me. Such foolish and immature hope.
I had thought I loved James, enough to move on with my life at least. But there was a disappointment in me when no one objected to my marriage. I should have felt like a horrible person for marrying someone while in love with another. But then I remember James and well, it wasn’t as if I had married a decent human being.
I tried to be a good wife and despite my wayward feelings towards Gentry at the start I never strayed. James had and a lot. I fumed remembering just all the things I had done for him. My useless degree included. I mean who does that? Spends all the years, money and effort on school to not go into the field?
I did. Why? Because a baby lawyer in any practice didn’t get to have the free time James required I have in order to tend his every whim.
Now I was shoveling horse manure from the barn while waiting on Ed to take me to town. I wasn’t out of shape and it was a good workout considering there was no way I could screw this up. Probably, but I didn’t for one second think that Gentry wouldn’t find a fault. The few moments of kindness he showed me this morning wouldn’t last. That didn’t appear to be his style now days.
Ed gathered me around nine. He had already ushered the boys off for the day. I changed out of what I worse to the barn, brushed my hair and swiped on some mascara. I thought I looked decent. Natural yet in New York I wouldn’t have stepped outside looking like this. Hell, James wouldn’t have even wanted to see me without my hair and makeup all done.
“You look lovely,” Ed said as I met him on the porch. “Settling back into country life suits you.”
I gave him a huge smith and a thank you. I was right, James was always a dick.
Unlike his beloved nephew, Ed was a chatter. Telling me all about the places we passed on our drive in. Who lived where and tidbits on all the history.
“Food or shopping first?” Ed asked as we passed the town welcome sign.
“Shopping!” I exclaimed and Ed laughed a belly laugh.
“Just like a woman.”
There was only one decent clothing store in town – a small western wear and tack supply named Fi’s. Ed assured me it wasn’t overly high in price (not that I was concerned with money) and that it would have a wide enough selection to get me by. Especially since it was up in the air about how long I would be at Mirror Lake. Eventually I would have to at least pick a new home state and get in touch with a relator, but I was putting it off.
Ed and I walked in and he introduced me to a woman with shoulder length, fading brown hair and dressed in jeans, boots and a Fi’s tee shirt. She was Fi, or rather, Fiona in the flesh.
In no time at all I loaded my shopping basket and Ed down. Muck boots, three pairs of plain dark jeans, a quick pile of every cute t-shirt they had in my size, a few of the dressy plaid pearl snap long sleeve shirts, a western wear staple, and a couple in solid colors as well.
I added three pairs of fancier designer Wrangler jeans, a couple nice pull overs and a Carhartt coat with matching bibs were added to the mix. I couldn’t decide on cowboy boots, opting for a plainer pair for around the ranch and a nicer pair of Toni Lammas in all their flash, just in case I ever ventured back into town.
Fiona rushed about. It was my guess she didn’t get a lot of customers purchasing a whole wardrobe at a time. Especially since the boots were in the three digits a piece. At least shoe shopping was always expensive no matter the state.
I was contemplating new rhinestone belts when the front door to the shop opened, the little bell overhead ringing out the announcement of a new customer. I looked up to see a very attractive blonde bustle in.
I placed her at about twenty-three, her hair was silk and fell in long loose curls past her full enough chest. She sported jeans, boots and a tight fitting long sleeved blue button up.
She greeted Fi and Ed before Ed introduced us. “Krystina, come here. You must meet Brittany Morris. Brittany, this is a dear old friend of the family’s Krystina…” Ed trailed off.
“It’s DeLouch again,” I chuckled softly and offered her my hand. She shook it and politely and smiled kind of oddly at the awkward meeting. I was new, she was curious. “I’m recently divorced and hiding out at Mirror Lake until all the hub-bub calms down a bit.”
“Gentry never mentioned he invited a woman to the ranch,” Brittany said looking a touch hurt.
Ah, this must be the girlfriend.
“Was more of Gloria’s idea. I haven’t seen Gentry in years. I’m in New York now days. Thought the ranch would be a good distraction until I decided what to do next. Gloria seemed to think the boys could kick my rear into gear.”
“Krys is finely educated socialite come to refine us cowboys,” Ed told Brittany.
“Nonsense Ed. You’re perfect and Gentry will never change.”
“Well then,” Brittany looked a bit relieved. I wanted to put her at ease but at the same time had this bitchy urge to mark my territory. I territory I lost my stake in years ago.
“Ed, be sure to bring Krys tonight. My family has its annual Halloween party at our ranch. Costumes are encouraged but I understand it’s last minute.”
“I appreciate the invite,” I said as I handed Fiona the belt I had in my hand and she finished ringing me out. “I’ll see what I can find.”
I glanced down at the credit card reader with a swipe and a sign before helping Ed gather my bags.
“Hell boys! Watch where you’re going!” Ed yelled as we walked towards the truck and damn near ran right into Ethan and Gentry.
“Did you buy the whole store?” Ethan asked taking my load from me.
“Only part of it. I need appropriate ranch attire. Apparently, I am still lacking my wardrobe for tonight though.”
“Party at the Morris’?” Ethan asked.
“Yes. I just got the invite. Are you going and most importantly are you guys dressing up?” I grinned ignoring all pained looks from Gentry.
“I am not,” Ethan offered as Gentry wasn’t about to. “I have my daughter tonight. My ex and her sister are going to the party so I offered to stay over. I don’t get a lot of overnights in the bunkhouse.”
“And I told you, you are welcome to stay with her at the big house. Gentry can go with the boys,” Ed scolded.
“I know.”
“What about you Gentry? Are you dressing up?” I dared to bring him into the conversation.
“I’m going as a cowboy.”
“How boring. You are already a cowboy do something different,” I complained.
“Deal with it,” Gentry tossed my boxes of boots in the back seat of the truck.
I rolled my eyes. “How about you, Ed?”
“I’m going as Pa Kettle.”
Gentry and Ethan both broke out laughing. Which was nice. Gentry had a laugh I imagined Ed having at his age. “Shut the hell up boys. It was Carla’s idea. She’s going as Ma and you little shits are all the obnoxious ass kids running ‘round.”
Gentry and Ethan left us. Heading into Fi’s themselves to order some feed supplements. Ed and I were walking arm in arm towards the diner when we passed a thrift shop.
I saw a slinky gold dress in the window and drug Ed in with me. It was perfect and it didn’t take long to put together the rest of what I needed. As I waked to the checkout I saw them bring in part of an old firefighter suit. My eyes lit up.
“Don’t waste your time or money. He won’t wear it,” Ed warned before I said a thing.
“Better scoop it up if you want it for the party tonight. Still a few folks looking,” the cashier told me and I toted it out with us.