Gotta Have You, Cowboy (Ford Brothers Book 2)

Chapter Four: Charlotte

  My first thoughts waking up Monday were about the kiss Nate, and I shared. I have been wanting to kiss him for days, it was nothing like I expected. His kiss was soft, gentle, and full of sparks. I have never experienced a kiss like that in my entire life. I always thought that those were just fairy tales, not reality.

What am I thinking? I cannot go down that rabbit hole again. I refuse to be used again by any man. Nate is different than Mark, even though he did not give any red flags that I remember. I should have paid closer attention to him. He played me well and I have to live with it. No matter what I feel for Nate I must put myself first. I will not fall again.

Flinging the covers off me as I climb out of bed to get ready for work. My clean clothes are already in the bathroom ready for me to get dressed for the day. Baggy sweats and a t-shirt that is two sizes too big for me. Ever since Mark dumped me, I gave up on myself. Before I used to wear tight skinny jeans and form fitting t-shirts, but now I do not want anybody to see me.

After my humiliating night with that stranger, I decided it was best to hide away from the world. I stopped being the fun, loving, outgoing person, and now I try to be a shadow on the wall. I have been alone ever since. When Bella and Maddie declared that we were all friends, I was a little less lonely but there was still a hole in my heart.

When I finished in the bathroom I headed into the living room. Picking up my keys and bag by the door and I am off to start my day. I stepped out into the dark morning air taking a deep breath. Mornings have always been my favorite time of day. Locking up my tiny, lonesome house and climbing into my car. I started it up and headed off towards The Store.

"It's about time you show up." Bella smiled up at me while she counted the money out for our registers. I clocked in and smiled back at her.

"I am on time. I cannot help it if you always beat me here. Plus, you live closer than I do."

"I know. I got coffee and tea started. Do you mind finishing them up for me?" Bella asked as she finished her task.

"Not at all. Did you turn the fryer on?"

"Yep, I am going to start cooking once I get this taken care of."

"Let me know if you need anything." I told her as I turned towards the door.

"Will do." Bella replied.

The breakfast rush has come and gone. It went smoothly promising today to be a busy one. Bella is getting caught back up on the deli while I made fresh coffee and filled the tea containers. We have finally come to the slow part of our shift. When twelve-thirty gets here we will be rushing around again.

I had not been living here long when Bella told me a job was coming available, I knew right away that I wanted it. Being cooped up in my house all by myself every day becomes isolating. I missed having contact with people. I became such a hermit the last couple of months. I hid away from the world hoping no one would find me.

"Hey Maddie." I called out when she opened the door.

"Hi, Charley." she smiled marching straight for the candy aisle.

Maddie had a chocolate craving during this pregnancy. She gets snappy if she is out of them. Lucas has come in multiple times a day to refill her stash. I have a feeling that Maddie is not the only one getting into them.

"Hey Maddie." Bella smiled walking up beside me.

"Hey." Maddie huffed, setting her Butterfingers down on the counter.

"Who ate all of them?" Bella asked, trying to cover her laugh with a cough.

"I have a funny feeling that it is more than my four who are stealing them."