“Louise is fine. Her house had the roof torn off so she was late coming into town. At least her store seems to have no damage at all,” Kate announced. “It’s a busy morning but people are so relieved the tornado just skimmed over us. That was scary enough.”
“How was the station?” Kate asked Drake and Matt.
“A tree fell on the roof, not sure what the damage is yet. We were lucky, too,” Matt said with a frown. “Roofers are going to be busy for weeks.”
“I checked on your car with Doug, the tow truck guy,” Drake told her. Just from the look on his face she knew the news wasn’t good. He gave her a look filled with apology. “It was plastered against a tree. It’s totaled. He towed it into the garage but we did salvage your suitcases. They’re dirty but they look intact. You can pick them up today.”
“At least I have my clothes.” Jasmine sighed with a shake of her head. It was what she expected to hear. “I’m just glad I made it into town before the storm hit. Thanks for checking on it, Deputy Lopez.”
Kate hugged her. “Oh yes. I shudder to think of you being in that car, dear.”
“We survived, Aunt Kate,” Jasmine assured her. Her plan was to keep her aunt busy so she would not have time to sink into depression. “And now, to make this store succeed.”
Drake and Matt talked with them for a few more minutes before leaving. Everyone in town was busy dealing with the aftermath of the storm. Jasmine felt like she was dealing with her own storm internally. Memories of the hell she went through with Grant warred against the temptation of a handsome deputy. Why couldn’t life just be smooth sailing?
Chapter 6
“This was a great idea, Aunt Kate. This food is delicious.” Jasmine smiled as she dug into her burrito. They had decided to have lunch in town instead of packing their usual sandwiches. Kate took Jasmine to Garcia’s Hacienda, a popular place in town. Jasmine could see why. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was cheerful. Colorful walls gave the room a warm feel. Spanish music played in the background.
Jasmine couldn’t believe she had been in town two weeks already. Time had passed by so quickly. After the cleanup, Jasmine got busy on decorating the windows in front of the store. Each one had a theme and so far they had gotten good feedback on them and many new customers. She had even met Drake’s sister, Eva, who did some shopping for her home. Eva had similar coloring to her brother. Dark hair that barely reached her shoulders and brown eyes. She was very friendly and Jasmine liked her a lot. Her husband, Dylan, was a lawyer in town and Eva had been having lunch with him and decided to stop in.
Jasmine barely caught glimpses of Drake in town. He hadn’t even stopped by to say hello. She had been disappointed but at least she now knew he was not interested in her. Once again it was just a case of she saw what she wanted to see, nothing more. Maybe she should change her look. She should remove the piercing. She had stubbornly refused to get rid of it for Grant because he already dictated so much of her life. The tattoo of an angel she had gotten
when she was twenty to celebrate her first real job that started her on the path to decorating. She enjoyed the reminder of what it represented and always planned to add to it.
“I thought we should celebrate.” Kate smiled happily. “We have been so busy. I find it quite exciting. I haven’t felt this happy in a long time, dear.”
Jasmine blinked back some tears. “Me, too. I love all the people I have met so far. This was the best decision I have made in a long time.”
She felt free in a way she hadn’t felt in so long. Her life in Fort Worth was a part of her past and her time there seemed so far away now. Even Kate seemed brighter and more hopeful than when Jasmine had first arrived. Business was going well again and Jasmine kept Kate too busy to wallow in her grief. She was even reconnecting with her old friends.
“Jasmine. Hi,” a feminine voice said beside her. Jasmine turned to see Alana Blake dressed in a black and white uniform. Her long dark hair was in a braid. Her family owned the Mexican restaurant and Alana managed it. Jasmine met Alana a few days ago when she came into the store. She had talked about getting some help setting up a nursery for her upcoming baby in a few months.
“Alana, hi.” Jasmine greeted the woman. Jasmine was excited to work with Alana. Alana was such a sweet woman and Jasmine liked her a lot. “Come sit with us for a minute.”
Alana patted her round stomach. She was six months along. She pulled up a chair from a nearby table and sat down.
Jasmine handed Alana a folder of her ideas. Alana flipped through them with a wide smile on her face. “This is so awesome, Jasmine. I want the colors to be neutral but not boring since we don’t know the sex of the baby. Can I show my husband?”
Jasmine nodded with relief. She was glad Alana liked her sketches. “Kate has some wonderful pieces in the shop. When you and the sheriff have time, come on in and see them.”
“I will. I’ll let you finish your lunch. I will definitely be in touch soon. It was nice seeing you both.” Alana hugged the folder to her chest and left.
Kate and Jasmine continued to talk about more ideas. A summer festival was being held in town in two weeks and Jasmine wanted to make up fliers detailing all the services they were now offering.
“Well, this is my lucky day,” said a voice behind them. Jasmine smiled up at Deputy Matt Smith. He was dressed casually so he must be off duty. He stopped by the store at least twice a week.
“Join us, Matthew,” Kate invited. She had told Jasmine that Matt and his brother, Tony, often helped her move big pieces around in the store. Jasmine thought it was sweet. She glimpsed the other brother in town a few times. He was just as big and as muscular as Matt but very serious. He hardly ever smiled. He nodded politely and that was about all you could get out of him.
Matt was a bit more talkative than his brother. He sat next to Jasmine in the booth. He ordered an iced tea from the waitress. “What are you ladies up to?”
“Celebrating our new clients. Jasmine has really been working really hard since she arrived,” Kate answered. “Aren’t you going to eat, Matthew?”
“Already did,” he answered but took a chip to dip in the salsa. “I went by your store, Kate. I promised to help you bring those heavy mirrors into the front of the store. Louise told me you were here so I came to look for you.”
After lunch they walked back to the store with Matt. He had such a wicked sense of humor and Jasmine couldn’t remember having laughed so much. She directed him where to move the mirrors. They were heavy with detailed gold frames.
“We should at least buy you dinner,” Jasmine told him when he refused money. “I made you work hard on your day off. That’s not fair.”