7. Aspen

Thank goodness for work, Ruthie, and Stella. Not to mention the small market the town put together to kick off the fall season. This is so much better than the bitter cold back home. Something I constantly think of when I'm able to walk out the door with a pair of flared corduroy bell bottoms, a vintage Dolly Parton shirt, open-toed wedges, and a sheer floral cardigan. Heck, with the lack of humidity in Texas today, I was able to curl my hair in big loose curls and call it a day.

"It's a gorgeous day and the town is hot to trot!" Ruthie is gleeful this morning. It causes me to smile brighter than I have all week.

"It is. I think we'll keep the door open today, maybe put a rack on the sidewalk? You think Stella would mind meandering out there every now and again?" I ask her.

"Come here, you." God, I've been trying to hold my shit together. Apparently, I suck at it because the moment her arms wrap around me, I sink into her.

"I'm so sorry, Ruthie. I know this isn't easy on you either. I swear I'll get used to it, but between my mom finally getting better and Jasper working more than I'm sure he has in a long time, I'm frazzled."

"Don't you worry about that. I leaned on my best friend when my Keelan was working the rig life and Jasper was in diapers. It doesn't get any easier, honey, but staying busy will help." She wipes under my eyes, fixing my eye makeup as well.

"Thank you. I think he spoiled me when I was in Virginia. We got to talk more and FaceTime. The past week, we've been coming and going at different times, and it sucks." I want to stomp my feet and throw myself a pity party.

"It's just for now. Fingers crossed they'll get back on track this weekend and it'll get easier. For now, let's turn on some music and pull out the new fall line. As soon as we close, the three of us are going to get some chips and queso from the food truck. My treat." I start to interrupt and tell her I'll pay, but she stops me.

"None of that. It's my damn money. You and Jasper are going to drive me to drink. Plus, don't tell that cranky man of ours, but tomorrow I'm going to look at a small SUV. Want to go with me?"

"You love us, and of course I do. Who else will kick the tires for you?" I'm so happy she's finally retiring her old car. I know Jasper will be too. I was left with instructions that if something happened and she needed a vehicle, to stop by his apartment. He owns an older truck that he doesn't take to work. It's nothing fancy, but it runs like a charm and is newer than his mom's car. Hell, the man even gave me his apartment keys. And don't think for a minute I wasn't tempted to use those keys, steal a shirt of his out of the closet, and climb into his bed just to be surrounded by his scent.

"Good, let's get this show on the road. Stella should be here any minute." I watch as she flutters around the store before I get out of my stupor and head to the office. Surely, after today it'll be easy. I mean, it's just been a full week. At least that's what I tell myself.

The office phone ringing stops me from heading back out to the front.

"Hello, Vintage Threads, this is Aspen. How can I help you?" I answer.

"Fuck, but I missed your voice." Jasper's tone is soft with a hint of a rasp. If I know anything by now, it's because he's had to shout a lot to be heard over the machine noise when they're in the midst of chaos.

"God, Jasper," I all but sigh. It's as if he knew I needed this today. I haven't spoken to him since the day after he left. He was working nights and sleeping during the day. Plus, he was raking in the overtime, and when he wasn't working, there was no way I was going to keep him from sleeping.

"I know, wildflower. Tell me what you're up to. I don't have long, maybe five minutes or so." Jasper must be in his truck. I can hear the music playing softly in the background.

"Well, you know where I'm at, obviously. We're holding the annual sale, and your mom just bribed me with beer and queso for dinner, so all of us girls are going to do that after closing. Other than that, it's been working, and when I'm not doing that, there isn't much going on. I think my sisters and Berkley are coming down still, not sure when. Enough about me. Are you okay? Are you getting enough sleep, staying safe?" I ramble off. There's no way I'm going to tell Jasper I broke down on his mom only minutes before he called.

"I'm good, wildflower. I promise. Counting down the days until you're back in my arms."

"I am too. I take it there's no set time they're working towards?" I ask.

"Might be another few weeks, but we're all trying. Well, except the newer guys. They'll milk it for all they've got if Hank and I don't watch it. We have one dumbass who's itching to cause an accident. If he doesn't calm his shit, he'll be looking at the end of my boot up his ass." Jasper doesn't usually talk about this kind of stuff, or at least he didn't when I was in Virginia. It's almost like he needs me to be his outlet, to talk through his frustrations, and as hard as it is for me to hear a guy on their rig could be destructive, I listen. "Well, you and Hank know what's up. You'll keep him in line. Oh, don't say anything, but someone is looking at finally replacing a vehicle. We're doing that tomorrow," I tell him to hopefully brighten his day.

"Thank fuck. Don't let her buy some small thing. One day soon, she'll have grandkids to tote around." Dear God, this man is lethal to my ovaries.

"I won't. She's looking at a small SUV. Think that will be big enough to tote around our future children," I joke.

"Depends on how many we have. What are you thinking? I'd at least like two, maybe three." I hear the hopefulness in his tone.

"I think that's a good number, though I'm demanding a boy first, so you'll have to work on that for me." Even though my older brother is a pain in the ass, I love him for the way he always protected us while growing up. Sure, he was a horse's ass to Rowen and Braxton, but he had the best intentions. Which reminds me—I'll need to give Bridger a heads-up and let him know I'm dating Jasper. Knowing that hard-headed brother of mine, he'll fly down and demand to meet the man who has stolen my heart.

"I'll get right on that, baby. I hate to do this, but it's time for me to get to work. The only plus side of this is no more nights. I'll be able to FaceTime and talk to you now."

I'm giddier than all get out and my squeal tells him that. "I take it that's a good thing?"

"The best news all week!" Jasper can't see me, but I'm literally dancing while we're on the phone.

"I'm glad. I'll call you tonight. It might be late, but I promise I will, okay?"

"Alright, thank you for calling me, Jasper. I know this isn't easy on you either," I reply.

"Nothing to thank me for. Later, baby." I feel like I'm the luckiest girl ever.

"Stay safe," is my last reply before I hear the click of his phone. I hang up, a smile plastered on my face.

Today may have started off rocky, but it sure is shaping up to be a great one. With that, I head out front and get this day kicked off.