Taming a Texas Rascal (Bad Boy Ranch #6) - Katie Lane Page 0,29

lined up according to size?” Boone said. “If folks want a hammer, they go to the hammer section and find the size they want. And if they can’t find it, I’m happy to help.”

“It matters because nobody wants to shop at a store that looks like a jumbled-up mess,” Emma Johansen replied. “Just like they don’t want their store clerks to dress like old cowboys.”

“You know I help my granddaddy in the mornings and don’t have time to go home and change. And what’s wrong with dressing like a cowboy? Every man in town dresses like a cowboy.”

“But you’re not a cowboy. You’re a business owner and you should dress accordingly.”

“Well, maybe I’d rather be a rancher. Especially when being a business owner has only caused me grief.”

“Then become a rancher,” Emma said. “Don’t let the door hit you in the butt on the way out.”

“And give you the business? Never!” Boone walked out of the back. Maisy expected him to look angry. Instead, he had a big grin on his face as if he had thoroughly enjoyed arguing with Emma. The smile got bigger when he saw Maisy. “Hey, Maisy. I didn’t realize anyone was here. The bell on the door must not be working.” The bell had worked fine. Boone and Emma just hadn’t heard it over their loud arguing. “What can I do for you?”

“Luanne mentioned that you make wooden crosses.”

His eyebrows rose. “Actually, I make more tables and porch swings. But I’ve made a few crosses for people’s pets that have passed. Did you just lose a pet?”

“Yes.” It wasn’t really a lie. Her dog had died just last year. But the cross wasn’t for Banjo.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Boone said. “I’d be happy to make a cross for you.” He pulled out a notepad from beneath the counter. “What’s your pet’s name?”

“Can you just put ‘rest in peace?’ And I don’t want the cross to be real big. Just something small is fine.”

“This isn’t for that horse you found, is it?”

“No. Angel is fine and feisty as ever.”

Boone laughed. “I saw Lincoln in town the other day and he said the horse was a real beauty, but a little high strung. If they don’t find his owner, what will happen to him?”

“I don’t know. I guess they’ll put him up for auction.” Maisy hated the thought of the horse going to another abusive person. Or even a person who didn’t understand the horse’s history.

“I can have the cross finished in a couple weeks. Is that good?” Boone said.

“That will be fine. I’ll check back then.”

“Or you can give me your number and I’ll call you.”

As Maisy was rattling off her cellphone number for Boone to write down, Emma came out of the back room. “So are you going to straighten the hammers—” She stopped. “Hi, Maisy. I didn’t know you were here. Is Boone helping you or talking your ear off?”

“I’m helping her and talking her ear off. That’s what a good salesman does.” Boone winked at Maisy. “I’ll call you soon, Maisy.”

The way he said it made it sound like it was more personal than it was and if the look on Emma’s face was any indication, she didn’t much care for Boone getting a woman’s number. Which made Maisy wonder if she liked Boone a little more than she was letting on.

After Maisy left the hardware store, she headed toward the town hall at the end of the street. It was a pretty two-story building made of Austin stone with the flags of the United States and Texas flying over the steep peaked roof. It was surrounded by a green lawn and colorful flowerbeds.

The meeting was held in one of the smaller conference rooms. Only about twenty people were there when Maisy walked in. She looked around for Sawyer and was relieved he hadn’t shown up yet. She wanted to postpone the inevitable for as long as she could. She chose an empty chair at the back of the room. She didn’t realize who she’d be sitting next to until she spied the cat sitting in the basket of the bright pink walker.

She froze, but it was too late. Miss Gertie had already seen her.

“Well, don’t just stand there lookin’ stupid,” the old woman said. “Sit down before another silly gossipy woman shows up. I just got rid of the last one.”

Maisy took the chair, making sure to stay clear of the cat that was giving her the evil eye. “Hello, Miss