Holding the Reins

Holding the Reins

Chapter One

CeCe

“Oh, my dear! You dropped your hair curler thingy! Dear!”

I stop dead in my tracks and look down at the suitcase I’m struggling to haul behind me. The back pocket is unzipped just enough, and Mrs. Danforth—my best friend’s grandmother—is calling to me in her sing-song voice, holding my teal blue vibrator in the air as she chases me down through the Car Depot lobby.

My face instantly heats and turns a fine shade of pink as I move quickly to meet her, keeping my gaze on the spotless marble floor so I don’t have to meet the eyes of way too many people I’ve known since childhood.

I consider crawling under the big white reception desk and hiding there until they close the place at five. This is the last thing I need today—my flight was delayed, and I cried like a baby on the plane because I left my Kindle at my condo . . . correction, my old condo. I just want to get home, change into my pajamas and unpack, but something tells me I won’t be able to do that. Because even though it’s my first night home, it’s Sunday, so I know I’ll be lured to The Horse and Barrel with Olivia and Ginger.

I snatch the vibrator quickly from her weathered hands as she leans in and gives me a wink and a grin.

“Was I sly, dear?” she whispers.

My mouth falls open. F*** my life. She knows what it is.

“Nothing to be ashamed of, honey. A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do,” she says as she pats my arm.

Can Jesus choose this moment to come back? I could really use an apocalypse right about now.

“T-Thank you, Granny Dan,” I mutter, stuffng my Saturday nights into my bag and making sure the damn thing is zipped tight.

“Be sure to say hi to your mama, CeCe.” She waves.

I bulldoze my way to the door, hoping Ginger is waiting on the other side to drive me the last leg of my trip home.

Unfortunately for me, she isn’t, so I sit on the bench outside the car rental depot and marvel at my luck. Home for five minutes and I already have one embarrassing moment under my belt. Off to a great start. I accept my fate and toss my sunglasses on, praying Granny Dan keeps her mouth shut.

It’s a typical early July afternoon in Laurel Creek, Kentucky. The sun is still high above Sugarland Mountain in the distance, and shoppers are milling about down the town’s one and only main street.

I can smell baked goods from Spicer’s Sweets, our resident trendy coffee shop, and see the local patrons carrying bags from our upscale home décor boutique, Jennings Mercantile. It’s all very quaint and Anytown, USA like.

I take a deep breath of fresh mountain air and check my phone to see if Ginger has messaged me to indicate why she’s late, not that I should be surprised she is. Ginger Danforth always flows to her own routine. I’m just putting my phone back in my purse when I hear the tell-tale announcement loud and clear that Ginger has arrived in the downtown core. Dolly Parton blaring full blast from the rolled down windows of her white VW Bug that is currently careening around the corner of Main Street.

I stand and wave her down on the side of the road, and she pulls up, almost onto the curb. My best friend has never been known for her driving skills.

“Get in, quick,” she says as she pops the trunk and looks around like she needs to get the hell out of dodge, and fast.

“Did you do something illegal again? Cole can only get you out of trouble so many times,” I grumble.

I put my suitcase in her trunk, and make my way to the passenger side of the door.

“You have it backwards, babe. Having Cole arrest me would be a reason to break the law. That man can put me in handcuffs any day of the week.”

I swat at her for the lewd comment about my older brother who just happens to be the Deputy Sheri! and then smile before reaching over to give her a big squeeze.

“Ew . . . and hi.”

She grins at me and pushes her sunglasses back up.

“Alright, buckle up, baby. We need to get out of here before anyone else in town sees that pretty teal heat you’re packing in your suitcase.

I groan and put my head in my hands.

“Did your Granny text you the moment I walked out the damn door?”

She looks at me like I must be crazy.

“No, she called me, why do you think I was late? I had to pull over and laugh for five straight minutes.” Ginger winks and mortiffcation washes over me.

Note to self: you’re home now, where everyone will know everything you do before you even think of doing it.