Chapter Two
Tina
I'm a freaking mess!
After walking inside my apartment, I slam the door shut, throw my purse on the couch, and start pacing. It's not like anyone can hear me living over the coffee shop. "Why? Why? Why am I such a bumbling idiot?" I yell as I throw my arms up in the air. Turning, I start walking the other way. "He's just a guy, Tina! Just a person – who is hotter than shit, built like a freaking wall, and has killer green eyes that melt my panties every time he looks at me!" I stop abruptly. "Maybe I should move back home." Lowering my eyebrows in frustration, I start pacing again. "No, then Mom will start trying to set me up again. Ugh!" How can I be almost twenty-one and not have a boyfriend? I'm probably the only girl on earth at this age who doesn't. I walk over and sit down on the couch, slumping my shoulders in defeat. My purse starts vibrating, well my phone does inside of it. I pull it out and frown when I see who's calling. Picking it up, I swipe it and hold it up to my ear, waiting for the annoyance.
"Hi, Mom!" I say through the smile plastered on my face.
She sighs. Heavily. "Tina. How many times do I have to tell you to call me Mother?" Oh, I'd say for the rest of my life. "Anyway. When are you going to come to your senses and come home? I mean, really. Cowboys and the country?" I can just imagine her eyes rolling. "A young girl such as yourself should be home or at least in finishing school where you can find yourself a nice young man."
"Mom. Have you seen a cowboy in person? I mean they have...."
"Cowboys, such nonsense. Now, Matthew Pearson, you know of the Pearson's? He's been asking about you and...." You mean the snooty Pearson's – I snicker to myself – the same Matthew who tried to look up my dress in the eighth grade then when I got older wouldn't give me the time of day. Or night, if you know what I mean. "And no girl of your stature should be alone. And with you out there in the wilderness alone and...." Good God. Where in the hell does she think I live?
I start tapping on the phone. "M – o – m. I ca – n't h – ea – r yo...." I end the call then throw my phone on the coffee table. Laying my head back against the couch, I let out a big sigh. There's nothing wrong with my life here. I own half of the best coffee shop in town – okay, the only coffee shop in town but still, it's damn good, and have the best friends a girl could ever have. I shift my eyes around my living room and listen to – silence. Alone. I like being alone. I can do what I want, whenever I want, watch what I want on TV or read my romance books all day and night. Okay, maybe I have been a little lonely since I came here. Sadie was always with Memphis, and I stayed with them for a little while until we got the shop up and running. It took about a month to clean out this place and make it livable. It was basically a big stock room with a bathroom, small kitchen, and my bedroom was their office. Full of crap everywhere. The other stock room I converted into another bedroom. Once I got the business stuff organized, I moved it down to the storage area off the back room. I got some really pretty light forest green paint and painted the walls in the living room. The kitchen ended up a light peach, and my bedroom, the perfect shade of gray. I ended up buying all new everything from the kitchen to the living room to my bedroom and even the bathroom. I bought a bookshelf to put all my romance books on, curtains to cover the blinds in the living room and bedrooms, and a king sized bed with brand new sheets and comforter. Why a king size, so I have tons of room to stretch out. So I'm alone most of the time. I grab the remote from the coffee table and switch on the TV. I have more time to do whatever I want. It's perfect, and it's mine. Okay, so I'm alone. I can handle this. "Psh!" I've got everything I need right here. My phone starts buzzing again, and I almost ignore it until I look down and see it's a text. It won't be Mom, she doesn't know how to text. I snicker as I pick it up and read.
Prie: I'm coming over to spend the night.
"Thank God! I hate being alone!"
Prie wasn't the last person I thought I'd hear from. She and I have become such good friends since she helped out at the shop and now that her business is up and running, we spend even more time together. Although, I do think it's a bit odd she'd want to actually spend the night. I mean my apartment does have two rooms but she's married to Trevor. Why in the hell would she want to spend the night with me when she has that hunk of a cowboy? I mean, have you seen him? Oh, my God! They've had a fight! Oh no!
Quickly, I get up and run to the kitchen, get the latte machine set up and get it started. Taking out some cinnamon buns from the fridge, I turn on the oven and place them on a cookie sheet. She'll need some good comfort food and I aim to please. By the time the lattes are ready and the smell of cinnamon has filled the air, a knock sounds on my door. What I love about this apartment is that it has a door to the outside leading down into an alley beside the store and another door that goes directly into a hallway behind the back room in the shop. Once I hire a couple of people and feel comfortable with them, I can take off a day or two when I want. I was thinking about taking Sundays off or mix them up with some Saturdays too. Not that I ever go out partying anymore, but if I wanted to then I could sleep in the next morning. "Ha." I laugh out loud as I open the door. I swallow that laugh and grab Prie's arm, pulling her into a hug, losing my sense of humor quickly.
"Oh, you poor thing. What you must be going through." I hold her tightly but she starts to squirm. She must be so devastated that she can't hold still. I feel so bad for her. I step back and take her hand, closing the door behind her. "I made some lattes and cinnamon buns."
"But...."
"I knew you'd need some good girl talk food, something that would help you get through this," I say as I drag her into the kitchen. I stop at a chair at my small table and push on her shoulders to sit then walk over to get the buns out of the oven and two cups out of the cabinet, pouring our drinks. "I just can't imagine what you're going through." I keep rambling because she needs me right now. I'd do anything for her, especially in her time of need. I pick up the lattes and place them on the table. Then I turn to get the buns.
"Tina, really...."
"I mean, Trevor and you are made for each other. You've both been through so much and I just can't...." I set the buns down on the table when she grabs my arm. I tilt my head in confusion by the smile on her face.
"Tina. Everything is fine with me and Trevor." I raise my brows. "Really fine."
"Oh?" I slowly sit down in the chair next to hers. Her smile fades. I knew it! Well, I'm not sure what I know but there's something wrong. I can tell. I take a sip of my latte, trying to be nonchalant. "It's not like you to suddenly want to come over and spend the night. Strange, actually." I pick up the spatula and gather up a bun then put it on one of the small plates, placing it before her. "I mean you've spent the night with me before but that's only because you were drunk and well – so was I and...." I tend to ramble when I really don't know what's going on or unsure of what to say. I don't know why. I guess it's nerves. I pick up another bun and start to put it on my plate.
"Tina." She reaches over and puts her hand on mine. "I'm pregnant."
My eyes widen. "But you – you said, you couldn't and...."
"No, I said the doctor said he didn't know if I could. I guess I can but there's a lot of risk involved."
She pulls her hand back and I lay the bun on the plate, losing my appetite. "Ah, honey," I whisper. "Does Trevor know?" I watch as she swallows hard, looking down. "You are going to tell him, right?" Her eyes lift up to mine. My whole body slumps as I reach out and take her hand. "Prie, you have to tell him. He's the daddy, no matter what happens. What are you going to do? You know I'm behind you whatever decision you make." She nods. Silence and sorrow fill the air around us. It's stifling. "God, Prie. I don't know what to say." I feel deflated and defeated for her. She's had the most terrible life – brought here against her will. She fell in love with Trevor, who was fighting his own demons – his horrible past. She didn't go to him easily, having to find herself first. She's the bravest woman I know, well, besides Sadie and Shiloh. Prie finally found her happiness when she married Trevor and had her dreams come true when she opened the house where other women who've been battered and abused can go to get the help they need for themselves and their kids. And now this. Will she ever get a freakin' break?
"Tina. I can see your little cogs turning." She laughs. Why would this be funny? She grabs my hand and smiles. "I am going to tell Trevor. Tomorrow. I just needed some girl time and talk through it. I guess I needed someone to tell and get my courage up before I tell him." She slumps and lets out a sigh. "I just...." She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath then opens them and lowers her eyebrows. "I just wish things were different. Guess I'd be wishing my life away. Everything Trevor went through, everything he's accomplished. I just wish I could give him more."