The next Saturday Shay and Olivia accompanied Travis into town for supplies.
When they reached town, Olivia saw a schoolmate headed into the Tin Roof. Travis gave her money for a milk shake, and she scampered off to the diner. Travis needed some things from Timberline Hardware, so Shay went to visit with Miss Lucy at the Doll House. The store was busy with tourists popping in every few minutes, but she was glad to see business going well for her elderly friend.
After leaving the shop, Shay stopped at Mocha Moose and chewed the fat with Tina and a few other neighbors. The smell of brewed coffee tickled her senses, and the loud espresso machine whirred to life every few seconds as tourists and locals placed orders.
Figuring Travis must be about finished, Shay made her way out the door and onto the boarded walk. She began to realize how foolish she’d been to order a to-go cup as she tried to juggle the crutches and the coffee. Thank God the truck was close. The coffee sloshed through the lid, and she felt the hot liquid through her jeans.
“Howdy, Shay.” Beau stepped out of the Hair Barn, replacing his hat. “Let me get that for you.”
She was wary after their run-in at church, but her armpit was killing her, and she was going to lose half her coffee getting to the truck.
“Thanks.” She handed over the cup. “Don’t know what I was thinking, getting coffee. I’m headed that way.” She nodded her chin toward the truck, parked diagonally in front of the hardware store.
“Glad I ran into you,” he said. “I owe you an apology for Sunday.” Sincerity shone in his brown eyes, and the chagrined smile he wore reminded her why she liked him.
“That’s all right—this was sudden. I can see why you’re confused.”
They’d reached the truck, and he passed her to get the passenger door.
“Well, anyhow, I do wish you the best, you know. You’re a great gal. McCoy’s a lucky man.”
As she navigated the curb, Shay’s crutch caught on something. She’d already begun her swing forward, and her weight was on a crutch that had found no hold. Her arms buckled.
“Shay!” Beau reached out, but not in time to stop her fall.
She landed awkwardly on her rear end between the vehicles.
A dazed second later she felt the damage. Her backside would have a heck of a bruise, but her foot wasn’t banged up. There was no pain radiating up her leg. She pulled her palms off the ground to dust away the bits of gravel and opened her mouth to assure Beau she was fine.
But just then a body flew past. A rush of air smacked her face as Travis grabbed Beau by the shirt and shoved him into the side of the truck. The coffee went flying.
“What’d you do, Meyers?” Travis slacked his hold long enough to allow another shove into the cab. “What’s wrong, can’t take on a man? Get your thrills outta—”
“Stop, Travis!” Shay tried to stand but couldn’t find a hold.
Beau pushed back, to no avail. “Get your hands off me, McCoy!”
“It was an accident.” She grabbed the fender and pulled to her feet. “I fell, that’s all.”
Travis glanced at her. She could see the wheels turning. His face was as hard as stone, his lips pressed into a taut line.
“I tripped over the wheel stop.” She gestured toward the block, hobbling on one foot. “Beau was helping me to the truck, carrying my coffee.” The empty cup rolled in the wind toward the street. “Which is gone now, thanks to you.”
Travis’s hands were still clenched around a wad of Beau’s shirt, his knuckles gone white.
“Get off me.” Beau shoved Travis away, his nostrils flaring.
Travis loosened his grip and his hands dropped to his sides. His shoulders heaved, his jaw twitched.
Men. Shay would’ve whacked him over the head with her crutch, except it was out of reach.
Beau straightened his shirt. “You need to simmer down, pal.”
Travis retrieved Shay’s crutches and handed them over. “You okay?”
She snatched the crutches, glaring at him as Beau went to fetch the empty cup.
“You owe him an apology.”
Travis glanced at Beau, who’d collected the cup and was now retrieving his hat from the pavement. Then he looked back at her, his jaw picking up slack.
She frowned at him, but he’d noticed the crowd of tourists gathered on the sidewalk.
“Show’s over.” He waved them away. “Go on . . . scat.”
They began dispersing as Beau approached, donning his hat. He looked at Shay. “Sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine.” She shot Travis a look, then returned her attention to Beau. “Thank you for your help.”
He tipped his hat, gave Travis a look that said plenty, and turned toward his own vehicle. He dropped the empty cup in a trash barrel as he passed.
Shay jabbed Travis in the ribs.
He pressed his lips together like he was swallowing a sour worm. “Meyers,” he finally called.
Beau turned, shoulders back, wearing a scowl.
Shay thought she was going to have to jab Travis again before he spoke. “Sorry for the misunderstanding.”
Beau sized him up for a full five seconds, then he nodded once and continued on his way.
When Travis recovered from his distasteful task, he took Shay’s arm.
She elbowed him away. “I can do it myself.” She was beginning to remember why she’d sworn off men to begin with.