Free Champagne and Lemon Drops: A Blueberry Springs Chick Lit Contemporary Romance by Jean Oram Page B

feed.
    "Thanks, Alvin." Beth gave him a grin and
set the hats back in the rack. "Sounds like you're set, City
Boy."
    Nash tried to smile and moved up to the
counter to make their purchases. "The elevator?" he asked in an
undertone.
    "Grain elevator," she whispered back.
    "What the hell? There's farming out here
too?"
    "Not much. It's turned to ranching. The
elevator is more of a feed mill now." She made a face, hoping he
wouldn't bring it up any louder. The way ranching had taken over
was still a sore spot with some.
    "So... this is your new man. I've been
hearing about him all over town." Alvin eyed up Nash.
    "Nash and I work together, Alvin."
She turned to introduce them. "This is Dr. Leham."
    Alvin leaned back, sizing up Nash who was
paying for their drinks. "Thought you and Oz were getting married."
His eyes lingered on her bare finger. "That's what my old lady was
telling me when you were running that playground bake sale all
those months ago."
    "Oz is taking some time, that's all." She
turned her shoulder, trying to politely end the conversation.
    "I s'pose he's got some business to attend
to with his old man leaving him the business." He shook his head to
and fro. "Sad to see Barney retire so young, but heart attacks can
be real life changers." He looked up, meeting Beth's eye. "Oz needs
a good woman by his side while he works on filling some mighty big
shoes."
    "I know." Beth bit the insides of her cheeks
and calmed her breathing, hoping to quell the humiliation and rage
brewing within her, ready to spew forth like lava.
    "I heard he's been losing clients."
    "He's contracted some to Ed," she managed in
a tight voice. "He has a big workload."
    Nash gently took Beth's elbow. "Shall we?"
he asked.
    Beth nodded and Alvin stepped up to the
counter, his gaze still on Beth and Nash. "Send Oz my regards," he
said as they made their way to the door. Beth stiffened but kept
walking.
    On the street Nash let out a breath and
said, "Wow. That was hardcore." He dropped her elbow and turned to
face her. "You okay?"
    She pushed past him, her thoughts streaming
through her head like an old VCR stuck on fast forward. How could
Oz put her in this humiliating position? Why couldn't he just get
back together with her or dump her outright? Limbo was like hell
and all its subsidiaries all rolled into one.
    Nash snatched her elbow when he caught up.
"Whoa. Slow down."
    Beth stopped on the street corner and forced
herself to calm down and slow her breathing. "Why can't he just
figure out what he wants and either marry me or dump me?" Her eyes
filled with tears and she sagged against Nash when he put an arm
around her for support. He brought her close against his chest in a
one-armed hug.
    "Sorry." He released her. "I hope hanging
out with me isn't making things tougher." He gave her a sympathetic
look. "Do you want me to head out?"
    "No." She swiped at her tears and
straightened her spine. "Fuck them and the horse they rode in
on."
    Nash let out a laugh. "Whoa! What do you
have against horses?"
    She laughed and tried to shake off her
mood.
    He opened a bottle of Coke and handed it to
her before opening the second bottle. They took a swig and watched
each other. Feeling self-conscious, Beth began walking, allowing
Nash to fall into step beside her. His shoulder bumped against hers
as they walked and before long she found herself nudged up against
the buildings to her left. He was a nice guy, but city folks must
be used to having less personal space. Every time she looked over
at him he was right up against her like he was trying to avoid
being separated from her in the nonexistent crowds.
    Nash rested a hand on her lower back as they
stepped off the curb to cross the street. Beth forced herself to
relax and enjoy having a man looking out for her. Holding doors.
Buying her a drink. Standing close.
    Nash stopped to point out a fancy coffee
maker in the hardware store's window. "That's nice."
    Beth dropped her empty bottle in a recycle
bin. "That