Page 10 of Cold Winter Nights
Royal glanced up at the sign then back at him. “It’ll be fine. Believe it or not, I’m not all that picky. My clothes were always bought by my assistants. I never really had time to—” Royal ducked his head and muttered. “Damnit, never mind. Forget I said that.”
“Forgotten,” Stone said without thought.
“Thanks for the help. Guess I’ll see you around.”
Royal didn’t wait for him to respond before he disappeared inside the store. He had a ridiculous urge to go in after him and make sure he found what he needed so he didn’t catch the flu. It was common this time of year.
Stone felt off. Something was changing at that moment. Not the season, not the town, nor the blistering cold…it was something inside him.
Royal
The bell over the door gave a loud jingle when Royal stepped inside Jessie’s Duds. He was instantly enveloped with warmth, and the unique scent of leather and wool.
The shop was small but had an old-time charm to it.
A fire blazed in a stone fireplace in the corner, casting a beautiful glow over the polished cedarwood floors. Vintage prints of hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities appeared to be Jessie’s choice of decoration because they were hanging everywhere.
Wooden shelves lined the walls displaying folded scarves, thick gloves, and bulky, textured sweaters in all colors from crimson to earthy tones of brown. So many racks of sport, dress and rugged coats lined the floor he became overwhelmed.
Royal fidgeted, rubbing his numb fingers over one another before he spotted the footwear section, and boots that appeared as though they could withstand a month-long blizzard. He navigated his way past randomly placed displays and racks of clothes figuring he’d start there since his feet were freezing.
He needed clothes that were practical, some things that weren’t luxury items purchased in shops on Fifth Avenue.
It’d only been forty-eight hours since he’d left the destructive mayhem of Manhattan’s biggest finance firm, and now there he was, trapped in one of those films about peoplesearching for their lost souls in a small town where people lived simple lives, oblivious to the dog-eat-dog, frantic grind of the big cities.
In Windeville, the air was so pure and fresh it felt like an element that people should have to pay to inhale. The sun shone brighter and the stars spread across a night sky that stretched wider than anywhere else. The town seemed to mock the poisonous environment he’d came from.
A tall, robust man who looked to be in his late fifties, wearing a plaid shirt under his baggy overalls approached him with a broad grin concealed by the thick scruff of moustache.
“Well now, you must be Royal,” the man said in a raspy voice that sounded as if he had a decent cigar habit. “I’m Jessie. Welcome.”
Royal nodded, a bit taken aback. “Yeah…I am.”
“This is your first time in Windeville, I assume.” Jessie asked, stepping closer.
“It is, but my parents used to come here every winter.”
“Oh, what’s their names?”
“Larry and Mary—funny enough—Peterson.”
Jessie’s eyes enlarged, and his mustache stretched so wide Royal could actually make out a small sliver of his top lip.
“You’re Larry’s boy? Well I’ll be damned. Good people, your folks.” Jessie clapped him on his shoulder. “And they used to talk about their son the big-time executive, everywhere in town they went, or more like bragged.”
Royal’s heart squeezed.
“We miss them. But unfortunately your mom told us that ole’ Larry’s arthritis in his hip couldn’t withstand the drive or cold anymore. But I’m sure you already knew that. You make sure to tell them next time you speak to them that Windeville sends its love.” Jessie laughed loud enough to hurt Royal’s eardrums. “And tell your pops that I ain’t forgot he still owes me ten bucks from that Jets game.”
My father has arthritis.He knew they’d stopped traveling a little while ago, but he’d never bothered to ask why.
Royal felt like shit.
“I tell ya…” Jessie shook his head. “That Mrs. Pearl’s intuition has never faltered. She said she had a special one wander in last night, and I’ll be damn, she was right.”
Royal didn’t know what to say to that. Receiving compliments was not his strong suit. But he could handle and counter criticism all day.
Jessie studied him up and down.