Wide Open Spaces (Shooting Stars #2) - Aurora Rose Reynolds Page 0,11
up here, not finding the answer, even as I sit next to Zach on the way to the store.
“You need a year license,” Zach says from my side, and I close my eyes in frustration. When I open them back up, I ask, “Where are the kids?” while ignoring his comment.
“Hi, Sheriff Watters.” The woman behind the counter beams at Zach like he’s part of the newest boy band and I hand her the papers I just filled out.
“Hey, Sally.” He lifts his chin and looks at me.
“The kids are picking out junk food,” he says, motioning for Sally to hand him the papers I just handed to her. Then he takes the pen out of my hand and scratches out the box for the daily licenses and checks the one for the year. “Thanks.” He smiles, making her blush as he hands her back the papers.
“Seriously, we don’t need year passes.” I shake my head, and Sally’s eyes meet mine. She blinks like she can’t believe I’m not agreeing with whatever Zach says.
“You’re living here now. I take the boat out at least once a week. I’m sure Hunter’d like to go out fishing more than this once.” He nods to Sally, and with that, she turns, leaving me standing there with my mouth gaping open while she goes to the computer. “Besides, it’s cheaper.”
“This is…” I pause, trying to think of what this is. “This is crazy, Zach.”
“Why?” He frowns, and I pull in a breath, wondering if I need to spell it out for him. I mean, we dated, had a kid together, and haven’t spoken in fifteen years. Is there really anything I need to say? “I feel like the situation kind of speaks for itself.”
Running his fingers through his hair he pins me in place with a look I haven’t seen in fifteen years. “We have a past, Shel. We also have a connection that no one else will ever understand,” he says quietly and my stomach knots.
“Mom, did you know a box of Twinkies costs almost eight dollars here?” Hunter asks, breaking into the moment and cutting off the words that are sitting on the tip of my tongue.
“Everything costs more here, honey,” I explain, turning to face him as Aubrey and Steven walk up behind him, each with arms full of junk food.
“Why?” Hunter frowns.
“Everything has to be shipped or flown in, so they raise the price to make up for that.”
“But… eight dollars?” His nose scrunches up and his brows snap together. “That’s a total rip off,” he practically shouts, making me laugh and Zach chuckle.
“So you don’t want me to buy them for you?” I ask, and his eyes drop to the box of Twinkies in his hands—one of his favorite treats—before coming back to mine, looking conflicted.
“They better be the best Twinkies in the whole world,” he says quietly, almost to himself, and Steven, who I haven’t seen smile once, shows off a grin that looks just like his father’s used to.
“Here you go. You can pay for these when you check out.” Sally beams—again—handing Zach our fishing licenses and not me, making me roll my eyes.
“Thanks, Sally.”
“Sure thing.” She blushes, this time darker than before.
“Let’s go,” Zach mutters, placing his hand on my lower back and leading me toward the registers, with the kids heading the way. I try with everything in me to ignore the feeling of his hand on me as we walk, but it’s all I can focus on.
“Hey, Mom.” Pulling my attention from Zach’s hand, I look up thinking Hunter is calling me, but instead, I find Tina walking toward us with a scowl on her face that is directed at me.
Seriously, this is not what I need.
“Seriously? Not even a week!” she shouts, looking between Zach and me. “Not even a fucking week,” she repeats once she’s closer, and I automatically stop.
“Tina.” Zach steps in front of me, blocking her from my sight.
“I should have known. I should have known this was going to happen!” she yells, and I move closer to the kids, not wanting them anywhere near her right now.
“Mom,” Hunter whispers, moving in so close that his arm brushes mine.
“Not here,” Zach growls, blocking Tina when she tries to get past him.
“Not here? Then where, Zach?” she hollers, making Aubrey jump and whimper.
“Come on, guys. Drop your stuff and let’s go wait outside,” I say softly, while moving the kids toward the checkout counter farthest from Tina and Zach.