Alpha's Castle - Ella Goode Page 0,11

no until death do you part for her. She remained committed to Ricky until her last breath.” That’s both sad and sweet. “Then Ben went and broke her heart too.”

“My dad?” Ben is Mae’s nephew.

“She all but raised him. Her and Ricky couldn’t have kids. They took him in and treated him like he was their own.” I didn't know that. There are so many things I don't really know when it comes to that side of the family. They sound so much warmer than my mother's side.

“No one should have to bear losing a child.” I bet my selfish mom hadn’t even allowed Aunt Mae to come to the funeral for my dad. That sounds exactly like something she would do. My heart aches for Aunt Mae.

“We hear you’ve caught the eye of our sheriff.” They stop knitting and give me their full attention. Well, that conversation turned around real quick.

“I’m not exactly sure that’s what you’d call it.” I shove another cookie into my mouth so I can’t talk.

“It’s all over town,” one of the other women adds in. I take a drink of my lemonade.

“I think him and Connie have a thing,” I point out. Okay, maybe I’m not pointing it out, but digging for information. As much as Dane drives me crazy, I can’t stop thinking about him. I want to smack him and kiss him at the same time. See, he’s driving me crazy.

They all roll their eyes. “Connie has a boyfriend. They break up and get back together. If anything, she tries to make him jealous. Dane is the biggest catch in town.”

I’m not so sure that’s a good thing. Those are the types that get around. You couldn't go two feet without running into someone he slept with. There would be no avoiding it. I didn't think I was the jealous type, but the thought of Dane being with someone else makes my stomach turn.

Everyone turns around when the bell over the door rings. In walks Dane. I try not to let my eyes drift over to him, but it’s too hard not to. No wonder he’s the catch around here. You could throw him into a giant city and he'd still be the hottest out of everyone.

I think it has something to do with how rugged he is. There are no pretty boy qualities to him at all. He is all man. He doesn't give a crap what people think of him either. I find that hot too. My ex and mom obsessed over what other people thought of them.

“I came to steal my Khloe.” He lets the door fall closed behind him.

“Sure. We’re all heading out.” One takes the cookies from me and the other snatches the lemonade out of my hand to rush me out. It’s clear whose side they are on. “You two have fun.” They usher me over to Dane. He puts an arm over my shoulder. I don’t duck out of it until we’re out of the store and on the sidewalk.

“Your Khloe?” I turn to face him, putting my hands on my hips.

“Your tires are looking rough. When was the last time you got new ones?” He asks his own question.

“You’re supposed to get new ones?” I thought you wait for them to go flat or something. He says something under his breath I can’t hear. Probably for the best.

“I had Mick take it in. You need new tires. He’s going to do a full check for me.” He walks over toward me, putting his arm around me again.

“But—”

“Thought we’d go to the store. You can’t live off cake, pies and cookies. I’ll show you around.” He opens the passenger side door for me.

“I can manage a store.” I might not know you need new tires, but I can rock grocery shopping. It might all be frozen food, but it’s food nonetheless.

“Store’s on that end of town.” He points the opposite way of my house. “You’re not carrying all that crap back to your house. Not when I can drive you.” He has a point. I should have a car, but I leave that alone. It was sweet that he was concerned enough to take a look at my car and then worry about my safety. I can’t be mad about that. Not when no one has ever done that before.

Before I can tell him thanks, he’s picking me up by my hips and putting me into his car. He grabs the seat belt, clipping it