Wrapped around your finger - Post Malone

14

The list is not that long but Hazel does not know what anything is so Tina's help is very much appreciated. Sacks of stuff for horses, cattle, and calves that Hazel did not even know was in existence - grass, that what she thought they eat but apparently there is more to it than that. There is other stuff to ensure their health and she really tries to understand and retain the information Tina is throwing at her about different creams and shit but it's a lot and the only conclusion she can come to is that running a ranch is a lot more work than one thinks. By the time almost everything is crossed off the list and the bin of the truck is full Hazel feels like she has worked up a sweat just from her brain going into overdrive.

Tina inspects the list one more time and cocks her head in thought as she smiles but also frowns - confused but pleasantly so. "May I ask a question?" she asks looking over at Hazel. "Go on," Hazel answers. "How do you know Austin? Like...do you guys have a history or something?" she asks. Hazel shakes her head, "Nope. Just met him the day I met you. Why?" she answers. Tina looks at her for a beat then shakes her head and turns, "come on," she says walking out of her shop. Hazel follows with Christmas Dinner. "Austin is not the most open man. I know we joke about him being a brooding cowboy and all but it's to his detriment. I am convinced the man will die a lonely old bastard. His only human quality is Evelyn. He couldn't give two shits about anyone else. So you must forgive me for being a bit taken aback that the rest of this list are items that would ensure you are looked after while at the ranch," Tina says then pulls open large shop doors and gestures for Hazel to walk in. Hazel is a bit stumped at that news too. Austin has made it very clear that he does not like her. He has said as much to her face.

A loud groan comes from the back of the shop they have just entered and then Jan appears. "What are you guys doing here?" she complains. "Calm your tits, Jan. We have to complete a list that Austin made," Tina says passing the list to Jan. Jan takes it but keeps her glare on Hazel. Jan is going to be a bit of a problem. "Oh, did you talk with Austin?" Tina asks picking up a shirt and inspecting it. It draws Jan's attention away from Hazel but only for a second. "Yes I did and he said that she is a pain in his ass," she says and then looks down at the list but frowns when she reads it. "This can't be right...this boot size is wrong. Way too small for Austin and way too big for Evelyn. Woman's work gloves? And a Stetson? Austin has a Stetson. No, this list is wrong," she says holding out the list to Hazel. "Well, Austin is the one who wrote it. You should phone him...again," Hazel says picking up a white hat with a rainbow of rhinestones splattered across it. "I will," Jan says then disappears with her phone. Hazel takes a look around the shop while she waits. It's full of cowboy shit. Clothing, hats, boots, gloves, and other shit. What is Austin up to?

"It's right and he is only helping you because he is a good man who likes to help people. He does not like you, so don't get your hopes up," Jan says walking back in. "Oh really? Well, that's not what he said last night," Hazel says flicking her tongue between two of her fingers that she holds up in a V. Jan gasps at the same time as Tina comes undone in a fit of laughter. "He would never!" Jan says. "Well, why don't you phone and ask him?" Hazel says. Jan glares at her and walks over to the boots. "Whatever let's just get this list done," she says taking a pair of brown mid-calf boots and handing them to her along with a pair of gloves and thick socks. "Can I see the black pair?" Hazel asks. "No. Austin said brown. The hat you are wearing is not the right hat, choose from the hats on the back shelf there," Jan points to the back of the shop. But Hazel shakes her head.

"No, I like this one."

"But that's not a working hat. That's a show hat."

"Does it do what a working hat does?"

"Well, yes. But it's not practical - look at the rhinestones."

"I chose it because of the rhinestone. I want this one."

"Fine, whatever. I don't care to be honest you are going to look stupid either way," Jan says walking over to a table with a silver pipe on it. She flicks a button and steam shoots out the top of the pipe. "Give me your show hat," she says. Out of curiosity Hazel does not debate and hands her hat over. She watches as Jan holds the hat over the steam and then bends it in various places. Slowly her hat turns from just a normal hat into a classic cowboy-looking hat. "Here," Jan hands it back to her, "it's a Stetson, the best make...a show Stetson. Look after it," she says. Hazel takes the Stetson and puts it in. It feels even better than before and she feels kinda like she fits in a little more. "Thank you, Jan," Hazel says but Jan has already walked off in a huff and Tina is tugging on her arm.

They stop at the chemist and she picks up a bottle of nail polish for Evelyn. Then she thanks Tina, takes her phone number, shoves Christmas Dinner in the truck, and shoots off back to the ranch. She is not hurrying and she has not been checking the time, she does not know she has fifteen minutes left. She is not rushing back to the ranch so she is not late to feed the calves as Austin had instructed. She is rushing for other reasons. Reasons she can't think of right now, but whatever the reasons are they have nothing to do with Austin.