Part 18 (2/2)
She signed her bill and walked out carrying the rope with a big smile on her face. So the entire town thought they were having all sorts of weird kinky s.e.x. She chuckled out loud. Well, she guessed they were.
”What are you looking so smug about?” Jeb asked a few seconds later when he joined her outside the grocery store.
”Oh, I'll tell you about it in the truck on the way back. Any word on the kidnapper?”
”No, nothing. The sheriff is trying to figure out who would have enough of a grudge to do something like that. So far, he has two main contenders. Brett and the old foreman.”
”I don't even know that he's still around here.”
”Oh, there's where it gets fis.h.i.+er. He works for Brett.”
”You're kidding.”
”Nope.” Jeb pushed open the store's door for her.
”So, has he talked to them at all?”
”Yep, he's been out there stirring them up some. Don't know what good that will do except make Brett madder than he already is.”
”Well, so far everything has calmed down. Let's hope it stays that way.” Drew grabbed a cart.
”I'll take half the list if you want me to,” Jeb offered.
”Great, will take less time.” She tore the list in half and handed him part of it.
They took their lists and separated at the front of the store. Since she'd made the list according to the store's order, it would have them meeting in the middle.
Thirty minutes later, she was waiting with her buggy at the front of the store when Jeb rolled up with a frown on his face.
”What is it?”
”I couldn't find these two things.”
She laughed and told him to watch her cart while she went after them. A few minutes later, she returned with a tub of lard and cranberries. He just shook his head and added them to his cart since hers was so full.
They rolled up to the cash register and proceeded to unload the carts. The cas.h.i.+er rolled her eyes but dutifully checked her out. Drew watched her closely to be sure she didn't overcharge her for anything. She knew Sandy. The girl hated her for some weird reason. She didn't have a clue as to why.
Once they'd finished at the grocery store, she directed Jeb to the bank.
”I'll just be a minute.”
She climbed out of the truck and walked into the bank looking for Clara, her usual teller. Clara had two customers in front of her, but she waited for her. When it came her turn, she saw Clara blanch. What was up with that?
”Um, I'm about to take my break, Drew. Miranda will help you.” She started to walk off, but Drew stopped her with a look.
”I think not. We have business to discuss. I'm missing a deposit from my last one. I have the deposit slip, but it wasn't on my bank statement. Do you know anything about it?”
”Please, not here.” She began to s.h.i.+ver.
”I want my money in my account right now.”
”Is there a problem here, Clara?” The vice president of the bank walked up.
”No,” Clara said.
”Yes, there is. I'm missing my last deposit off my bank statement. I have the receipt that Clara gave me.”
”Let's settle this in my office.” He ushered them into his office and closed the door.
”May I see your statement and the receipt?” he asked.
Drew handed him both. He studied them both then pulled something up on his computer. He played around on some keys and then turned back to Drew.
”I'm very sorry this occurred, but there seems to have been a glitch, and your statement will reflect it next month. I'm printing out a new statement with the deposit on it.”
”Thank you. I appreciate it. I figured it was just an error on the part of the computer.” Drew took the proffered statement and her papers back and turned to leave. She heard the man tell Clara they needed to have a talk.
When she walked out of the bank, Jeb sat in the truck waiting on her. He smiled when he saw her and cranked the truck up.
”Get everything taken care of?”
”It's all straightened out.”
Jeb frowned, but to his credit, he didn't say anything. Drew smiled and figured Clara might have lost her job. She hated it, but she knew Clara was good friends with Brett's family. She should have realized there was no way to get away with doing that.
They began the long drive back to the ranch. Several times, Jeb nearly lost traction, even with the snow tires on. Then there were the areas where the snow had made mud puddles that hadn't refrozen yet.
After several close calls, they finally made it to the ranch, and Drew let out a breath in relief.
”I'd feel offended that you didn't trust my driving, but I'm d.a.m.n happy to be home, too.”
Drew laughed and climbed out of the truck after he backed it up to the back porch so they could get the groceries out. Kenny and Robert helped, and soon it was all put away.
Then, while the men moved the truck to unload the feed, Drew reworked her books with the deposit back where it belonged. She couldn't believe that Brett had talked that poor girl into doing that. The man was a menace to society.
”According to the weatherman, tomorrow is supposed to be a good day, and warmer. We're thinking it would be a good day to go out and look for the missing cattle,” Marshall told her.
”Great. I'm going with you. Kenny can stay with Robert here at the house. I want to show you all the government land.”
”Doesn't Kenny know where it all is?” Marshall asked.
”Not like I do. I've been riding this land for about five years. He's only been here four.”
”You know Jeb isn't going to like it.”
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