Ringed Love by Elizabeth Noble

Author:Elizabeth Noble [Noble, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: JMS Books LLC
Published: 2020-05-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

17 months after the surrender of New Colorado Protectorate

Todd juggled two shopping baskets and elbowed Nick in the side. “Grab a newspaper, will you? And see if we have any mail.”

“I can carry—” Nick held out his good hand. His other one was wrapped in bandages from wrist to shoulder and in a sling. Dark bruises splattered his skin where the top few buttons of his shirt were left open. There was a long bruise snaking up the side of his neck that stopped just under his jaw.

Todd glared. Nick backed down with a frustrated sigh. “Don’t make those huffy noises at me!” Todd snapped. “All the crap we’ve gone through in the last five years, and you almost get taken out by a ticked-off bull calf.”

“To be fair, I was about to remove his testicles.”

Todd nodded and shrugged. “I guess I would have kicked the crap out of you, too. However, your doctor friend at the clinic said not to carry anything heavy and to take it easy for two weeks. You have twelve more days. If I have my way, it’ll be a month. Do I have to strip you down in the middle of this store and show off that spectacular collection of bruises down your entire side?” He rocked on the balls of his feet, raised an eyebrow, and added, “Hmm?”

“No.” Nick looked away. He tried to cross his good arm in front of him but ended up moving it to different positions. He scrunched his eyebrows together and made a fist with his good hand, then shoved it in his pocket, mumbling, “Control freak.”

“Sulking won’t work. Now would you get our mail and a newspaper?” Todd couldn’t help smiling when Nick walked down the aisle toward the counter, grumbling under his breath. Todd continued his mission of filling the baskets with items they needed.

When he accomplished his task, he went to the sales counter, thunking the baskets down. Nick was leaned back against the counter, munching something from a bowl Millie had sitting beside the register. “Catalog came.” Nick held up a thick magazine. “You should try these. Roasted nuts dusted with cinnamon and chocolate. They’re amazing.”

“Why did you order that catalog?” Millie leaned over the counter and raised her eyebrows. She had a silly smile on her face and her eyes twinkled.

Todd took a handful of nuts and tossed them into his mouth, smiling as he chewed. “These are incredible. You have a real talent.”

Millie cleared her throat. “You’re not getting out of here until you come clean.”

“Told ya,” Nick drawled. He opened the catalog and turned it so Todd could see one of the pages. “I like those. They’re like my collar.”

Todd took the magazine and examined the picture Nick pointed to. “Those are nice.” He pulled the book against his chest when Millie tried to get a look.

“I know where that catalog is from and what sort of goods they supply,” Millie said. The fact she used an accusatory tone was offset by her smile.

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