Her little plan had backfired and now she’d be monitored more closely, making it more difficult to get alone time with her boyfriend. If and when he showed up for work.
Maybe he’d found the jewels and bailed on her, a thought that caused her no small amount of worry.
The day nurse walked by, staring at Beth closely as she passed her bed.
Beth swallowed a ripe curse, reminding herself to stay calm. No more tantrums until she needed one.
CHAPTER NINE
LAUREN FOLLOWED Jason into the hardware store. Burt scowled, his eyes boring a hole through her skull.
She frowned and tapped Jason on the shoulder. “Why does he hate me so much? Other than the obvious reasons, I mean.” Lauren knew her family had a poor reputation in town but this man’s feelings bordered on fury.
Jason paused. “Burt’s last name is Miller. To hear my father tell it, his dad used to own the local pharmacy. A big chain tried to buy them out. They refused to sell. Next thing you know, the landlord invokes a clause in the lease that increased their rent and forced them out of business.” He lifted her hand in his. “The big chain went in one month later.”
Lauren glanced up at the old, cracked ceiling. “My grandmother was the landlord?” It was the most logical guess.
The most damaging. Thinking about the destruction her grandmother had wreaked around town made Lauren’s heart hurt.
Jason nodded. “Let’s go pick up the traps.” He headed for the back of the store.
“Jason, man, she’s a Perkins,” Burt called out.
“She’s also hot and you’re jealous you can’t get someone who looks half as good,” Jason called over his shoulder, pulling her along with him as he walked.
Ten minutes later, Burt remained embarrassed and silent as he rang up their purchases.
Lauren appreciated Jason’s defending her, but even if she didn’t deserve Burt’s anger, her grandmother did. She paused at the register and met the man’s gaze. “I’m sorry for what my grandmother did to your family.”
He stared at her strangely, as if he couldn’t understand her words. More likely he couldn’t comprehend an apology coming from the mouth of a Perkins.
They walked out onto the street. It was sunny, but the wind blew cool air around her. She shivered and Jason pulled her close, wrapping his arm around her.
“Are you sure you want-”
“People to think we’re a couple?” he asked, reading her mind. “Yes. Because as long as you’re here, that’s what we are.”
She couldn’t deny him. Especially since she wanted the same thing.
“So tell me about your career,” he said, passing his car as they walked down the sidewalk.
“Wait. Aren’t we going back to the house?”
“In a little while. It’s nice out. Let’s keep walking.”
She shrugged. Why not? The cool air felt good. So did the company. “I always loved fashion magazines.”
“I remember. While I read ski magazines, you read Vogue.”
“Do you miss it?” she asked him. She meant snowboarding.
“Sure I miss it, but the travel part? Not so much. I’m just…” He shook his head. “We already know what happened with me. I’d rather finish talking about you.”
She knew he was avoiding discussing himself but she appreciated his interest in her.
“So you loved fashion magazines,” he prompted.
She grinned. “I didn’t realize you’d paid attention.”