Reece (Stud Ranch)

“Well, you’re in luck,” Sam said. “Just got in a shipment of sheetrock so you’ve got your pick. And we always got posts. Just up to how much space you got in the bed of your truck.”

Ruth smiled. “Oh, I can get creative. I brought plenty of rope.”

“You always were crazy with your loads, girl.” Sam shook his head. “You know my policy. After you buy it and it leaves my store, no returns, no matter what fool thing you do to it after it leaves my shop door. Don’t matter you’re as close as family. I gotta make a living too.”

Ruth threw a hand to her chest dramatically. “I would never,” she said, making Sam chuckle.

“Better not,” was all he said, before leading us to the back.

We’d just reached the section in the large back of the shop that was more like a big, covered garage when I saw him—the obnoxious guy who’d stopped by in the big truck that first day after I’d arrived. He stood by the wheelbarrows on the other side of the small garage.

Ruth saw him at the same time and her step hitched.

It was too late, though, because he’d seen us too.

He smirked and immediately started strutting toward us. “Well, if it ain’t Ruthie and her new little girlfriend.”

I just tilted my head and stared at him.

Ruth went tense beside me. Then she looked back to Sam and gave him a smile that was obviously tight. “We’ll take five of the big sheetrock panels, thanks, Sam. A half pallet of cake and ten of the fence posts. Is Carlos around? Could he help us load the truck?”

“Come on, Ruthie, don’t be like that,” said the asshole from across the room.

God, the man was obnoxious.

There were a few others milling around this back area of the store, and they were alternately openly staring or obviously trying not to stare, but still looking out the side of their eye at Ruth and Fuckface. What was his name again? I didn’t bother too hard at registering idiot’s names.

“For the hundredth time, my name is Ruth, not Ruthie. I’m not a child or a dog. Nicknames are only for people I like.” She grinned daggers at him. “And we both know that’s not you, Trent.”

Anger flashed across his face. “How many times have I told you not to get uppity. Look what happened to your uppity dad. They would have thrown him in jail if he hadn’t gone and died. You should be happy he didn’t have the chance to disgrace the family like that. I mean, after all, you do a good job of that all on your own.”

“And you do such a good job of showing off what complete tools your parents must be to have raised an entitled, whiny, little bitch-boy like you.”

Okay, I was officially becoming more and more of a fan of Ruth Harshbarger with each passing day I knew her.

I intentionally stayed out of it this time, though, because I did not need to get involved with something that was not my business.

Trent’s face got red and he leaned in, having stalked towards us so that he was now only a couple of feet away. He sneered at Ruth. “That’s not what you said when we dated and you begged me to fuck you hard. You thought I was plenty man, then, huh, little Ruthie? Remember how slick you used to get for me?”

“You’re a pig.” Ruth said in disgust, shoving him in the chest when he took another step closer.

“Enough of that, young man,” Sam said, stepping between them and glaring Trent down.

Trent looked incredulous. “Did you see that? She shoved me!” He looked around the garage. “You all saw. You’re witnesses!”

Sam growled at him. “I witnessed you being a jackass, that’s all I saw. Now get the hell outta my shop.”

Trent scoffed at him. “Please, old man. You wouldn’t survive without me and my dad’s money keeping this place afloat. But you’re in luck.” He held up his hands. “I happen to be done shopping for the day.”

He shoved a dollar disrespectfully in the shirt pocket of Sam’s flannel, then grabbed a beef jerky off the wall, opened it, and bit into it while he laughed and walked out of the open garage.

“Charmer,” I remarked dryly as soon as he was gone.

Ruth let out a frustrated breath. “Pain in my ass is more like.” She looked to Sam, her eyes remorseful. “I’m sorry, Sam. I know you don’t need trouble from him or his dad blowing back on you.”

He just patted her on the shoulder. “Ain’t your fault that boy came out wrong, honey. And don’t worry about me.” He smiled. “I been around since long before that boy was just a gleam in his papa’s eye. He don’t scare me none. Now, come on and I’ll get you checked out.”