Chapter 4
Colby
She bursts out laughing and that’s when something happens. Fuck. Without another word, I put the truck in reverse and head toward the hardware store.
Pulling into the parking lot, she whips her head toward me.
“Drake, why the hell are we at the hardware store?”
“I’ll show you. I promise I’m not yanking your chain.”
Unlocking the door, I cut on the lights and lock the door back. “So, any word on Aunt Tootie selling?”
“Nope,” she says, crossing her arms. “Get to the point.”
“Okay, so I’ve got an idea.” Walking toward the back of the store, I flip on the light and walk into the room.
Dixie follows me and her eyes go wide. “What the hell is all of this shit? Why do you have a shampoo bowl in the back room and a dryer?”
“So I was thinking, this room would be a great place for a salon.”
“Like hell. It’s in a fucking hardware store.”
Her hands go in the air and she starts to turn to walk out of the room but I grab her arm. “Let go of me, Drake.”
“No, hear me out.” Pressing her lips together, she nods and it’s fucking cute as hell. “You want your own shop, there’s a private entrance and it’s a place to start. I’m sick of watching you work your ass off over there. Hell, do you know how many walk-ins you’d get? All the old men in town would line up to get shit for their farm and a cute girl to cut their hair at the same time.”
“Did you just call me cute?”
“Don’t go getting too excited. I’m only stating the obvious. So, what do you think?”
Dixie
Who the hell does he think he is? Why would he even think I’d consider this? Wait, I am actually considering it. I’ve lost my damn mind or either Aunt Tootie is driving me to it.
“Fine.” His eyes go big and doesn’t say a word. “Don’t get too excited. I need out of that salon, but I will get this salon to my standard all by myself. You got that? Don’t come in here trying to be all macho man and coming to my rescue because I don’t need saving.”
“Got it. So, when you think you want to make the move?” he questions.
“I want it to be ready by Monday.”
“You’ve got to be crazy.”
“Maybe, but that gives me the weekend. Looks like you’ve already done the hard work by getting the equipment. The biggest thing will be getting it state certified.” Pulling out my phone, I put a call in and pray that they can come Monday morning.
Walking around the little cracker jack box, and my soon to be salon, my mind starts to spin at what I could do to this place. “Let’s pick out some paint,” I say to him as we walk back in the store. I guess the biggest plus is that I don’t have to go anywhere to get what I need. It’s all in the adjacent room.
Colby rounds the counter, pulls out the paint swatches and walks back toward the room. “What color are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking something kind of rustic. I’d love to have barn wood on one wall and maybe a blueish color?”
“So are you planning on making this your permanent location?”
“Hell no! Why would you even ask that?”
“Because barn wood is easy to come by, but also harder than it looks. What about this?” he says as he walks out the back door and pulls a piece of worn aluminum. I hate to even admit it, but he’s a genius.
“How much do you have?”
“Between what’s here and what we’ve got laying around the farm, you should be good to go. You can have it. It’s just sitting around rusting anyways.”
“I don’t want a hand out. I’ll pay for it and everything you’ve already got back here. So, let’s go with this and then the blue on the other walls, or maybe a sand color with the blue accents?”
“Sounds good to me. What else are you thinking?”
“I need a welcome counter and I have an idea. It’s something I saw at an antique shop. Do you have an old wooden door around?”
He walks around the building to a bunch of doors. “Take your pick.” Glancing, I see it quickly. It’s a corn crib door.
“This one.” I say and then I look at him. “Why are you doing this for real, Drake? Don’t give me any shit.”
“Look, I was serious when I said I’m tired of you playing Miss Fix It. You deserve better than that. I know you gave up a lot moving here for Stella.”
“Yeah, about that. I kinda didn’t have a choice.”
“What? That’s what she’s been saying since before you showed up.”
“I might have gotten into a throw down at my old salon.” He pauses and looks at me with shock. “Y’all Drakes aren’t the only ones that like to have a good fight every now and then,” I say with a wink, and I swear I think he quits breathing.