“You don’t like it, do you?” he asked, looking at me staring at the shelves.
I looked over to him, and our eyes did that uncomfortable locking thing again.
“Not really,” I smiled and turned my eyes quickly back to the shelves.
We worked until after four and stopped when our pizza arrived. We all sat at the same table, and I looked around at our work. I couldn’t believe we got as much done as we had. I just wished we would have gotten the wood floors cleaned. After moving the shelves, you could really see a difference in the two toned wooden floor. The walls were spectacular, and I was going to talk to Lauren about her friend in the construction business about having the ceilings painted. The register by the door was a lot nicer too. You could actually engage in conversation with the customers, rather than being in the back of the store.
I hope Starlight isn’t mad about changing everything.
“Earth to Riley,” Dawson said snapping his fingers.
“What? Sorry. I was just thinking about what to do next.”
“I’m leaving,” Lauren abruptly said, afraid that I was going to start another project at that time.
“I didn’t mean now,” I said, giving her a look of, don’t leave me alone with him.
It didn’t work.
“I will see you at home. I need a shower,” and she was out the door. I knew she was leaving me on purpose and wanted me to be alone with Dawson.
“You should probably leave and get some sleep too,” I said to Dawson, standing up to clean up our paper plates.
“Yeah, you wore me out today too. I should sleep like a baby.”
The mention of sleep made me apprehensive about going to bed. I wasn’t sleeping much lately, and I hated waking and remembering my nightmares.
“You can go. I’m not far behind you. Thanks for your help today. I greatly appreciate it.”
Dawson stood and sucked the noisy soda through the ice of his cup. “Don’t mention it. It was fun. I would love to see the look on Starlight’s face when she walks in this door.”
“I just hope she’s not mad. I mean she did tell me to do whatever I wanted, but I’m not sure meant remodel the whole place,” I smiled.
“She will love it. I’ll see you later.”
Please stop smiling at me like that.
“Okay. Thanks again for your help.”
I didn’t leave and worked until after nine. I was hoping that getting myself good and exhausted would cause me to fall into a deep sleep and not be tormented by my dreams.
It worked, and I slept sounder and healthier than I had since I had left Drew.
I felt rehabilitated and improved as I unlocked the back door to the store on Monday morning. The three locals showed up just as the last pot of coffee had run through. All three of the older men made a big deal about how clean the place was. I felt very comfortable with them for the first time, and had no problem talking and laughing with the men as they drank their morning coffees.
I was rearranging some clothes on the rack toward the back of the store when I heard the one man that they called Tom.
“Good morning, Sheriff. What brings you out and about on a Monday?” he asked, knowing that he was usually only there on Saturday mornings.
“Morning, Tom, Jake, Luke. Just thought I would stop in and see what all the talk about the new look was all about.”
I smiled, amused that he didn’t mention doing half the work.
I was looking right at him still carrying the smile when he looked around, looking for me, I was sure.
He smiled when he saw me. “Morning, Riley.”
“Good morning, Sheriff,” I said and nervously moved my eyes away from his.
That wasn’t the only day that Dawson showed up.
He was there every morning after that. I tried not to let things be awkward between us. I also made little comments about not being interested in romance or dating, hoping that he got the hint.
My week was going well. I had managed to get the entire front of the store reorganized and looking like a new place. I worked late into the night, mostly because it did wear me out and I slept better.
My next project was the office, and I had to keep telling myself that the store was just as bad, and the outcome was well worth the work. I was going to start on it as soon as I had locked up on Friday. I was on the phone with Starlight wanting to know how things were going when Dawson walked in.
What the hell is he doing here?
He only smiled and took the last little bit of coffee from the pot.
I finished up my conversation with Starlight after telling her that things were going great and not to worry and have a good time.
I started rinsing the pots and cleaning up when Levi walked in, as well.
“Hello,” I said, surprised that he was there. I had only seen him in there once since I had started.
“Hey, Riley. How are you?”
“Good, Levi, and you?” I asked as I continued to clean up.
Levi and Dawson exchanged greetings, and Levi turned his attention back to me.
“Ms. Riley, would you like to accompany me to dinner tonight?” he asked, and my mouth dropped.