Page 13 of Midnight Roots

I stand up and put my ball cap on before I walk out. I don't want to lose the nerve I've mustered. This time, I don't wait for her through the lunch rush. I go back to the ranch to get my chores done quickly.

Some new calves have been born, so I take my tools to weigh them and make a note, and then I tag them. The little calves run straight back to their mothers, who are watchingme with weary eyes as if to tell me off for daring to touch their precious children.

When I'm done, I take a shower and dress nicely—my jeans and a plaid shirt. I don't put on the ball cap this time, but I run my hand through my hair a couple of times. I put on some aftershave and deodorant before I leave the house to drive back to town. It'll take me at least an hour to get there.

I don't bother to check on Tessa. She can hang around until I get back. I'll deal with her later. I already have a host of things I want to do to her. Things I plan on doing to her if tonight doesn't go well and things to do to her if it does.

Maybe if it goes well tonight, I'll give her some actual water.

I don't want her to die on me after all. Where's the fun in that?

Chapter Eleven

Dillon

I feel somewhat giddy about my date tonight, but I don't want to jinx it. I need to look perfect. I have a little makeup at home; something on the light-and-easy side will look nice. I still have a nice black dress from when I lived in Austin. That'll work for tonight. Now, I just need to clean off a pair of heels, and I'm set.

I float through the rest of my shift. Not even the two old bitches can get to me today. They don't even tip this time, but I don't care. I'm floating on cloud nine.

Once my shift is over, I hang my apron behind the door and say goodbye to everyone.

Cece stops me and hands me an envelope. "Your weeks pay. I thought you could use it."

"Thanks, I really could use it today," I say with a smile.

I walk to the supermarket.

I get a few small things from the large tips I was given today: some lotion, a little makeup, and nail polish. I also get some leave-in treatment for my hair to relax my tight curls. I want to look my best tonight. I don't know where we're going for dinner, but I want to be someone Heston can be proud of walking into a restaurant with. I also get a few groceries for during the week, so I have food.

Once I've done my shopping, I walk toward my apartment. I pass a shoe shop and check the change I have from the tips. I might be able to afford some plain heels if I'm lucky. With what I made today and with what I have left over from my pay minus what I need to pay towards rent, it might just be possible. I walkinside and look toward the heels. I go over and inspect them.

"Can I help you?" An elderly man comes over.

"I'm just looking for something affordable but nice-looking," I say quietly, somewhat embarrassed.

"I have a set of heels on a clearance sale for seventy-five percent off at forty-two dollars. But I have limited sizes available. What size are you?" he asks.

"Seven and a half," I say. As he walks off, I check my clutch to see how much I have. It'll be a tight squeeze, but I can wear the heels again and again, so I don't see a problem.

The man comes shuffling back. “You’re in luck.”

He brings the heels to me. They’re a black pair, and I silently celebrate as I sit downto try them on, taking off my trainers and socks. I stand in them and walk to the mirror. "Oh, they will do nicely. And you say forty-two dollars only?"

"Yes," he says. "Can I bag them for you?"

"Yes, please," I say as I take them off.

I go to the cash register after I put my socks and shoes back on, and I stand there waiting and looking around. This place has nice shoes. I should come here again when I have some extra money.

The old man rings me up. I pay for the shoes and take the bag. "Thank you."

"Come again soon," he says.

I go backhome. The first thing I do is shower. I need to shower the smell of food and detergent off of me. Cleaning tables is easy, but it leaves you with a rather chemical smell.

I take my time in the shower, scrubbing every inch of my body with the bar of turmeric and lavender soap I found at the shops. The lotion I got is lavender as well. The steam of the shower rises in the air and fogs everything. I get out and wrap a towel around me before I wipe the mirror. I look a bit haggard, but it’s nothing a little makeup won't fix.

I sit in the towel and dry naturally while I paint my nails. I paint them a pastel pink color. It's pretty and feminine, and it goes with black. I check the antique wardrobe, and I find the dress hanging up and I take it out to air it. I dig through the old chest of drawers, and I find a bottle of perfume that still has a little bit in it. I set it on top of the chest of drawers and finish drying myself off. With my nails dry, I work in the leave-in treatment for my hair before I style it. I let the small curls simply bounce into place. I’m happy my hair has grown this long—it’salmost reaching my shoulder and is the longest it’s ever been.