Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 141951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 710(@200wpm)___ 568(@250wpm)___ 473(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 710(@200wpm)___ 568(@250wpm)___ 473(@300wpm)
She wasn’t interested in those things.
“Go ‘round the side there,” he told her, pointing at the farthest aisle from the front cash.
“Thanks.”
He waved two fingers over his shoulder, already more interested in the television again, as Delaney headed for the aisle in question. She hadn’t noticed any shopping carts, or even a basket to use, upon entrance. Her arms would have to do the heavy lifting.
So to speak.
She did find ten-pound bags of potatoes piled on the bottom shelf at the front of the far aisle. Setting a bag to the side, where it could safely lean against the corner of the shelf, she headed further down the section where rows of various bread, bagels, and other grain options waited. Sandwiches or toast made a few meal options possible, so she grabbed two loaves of white bread and a bag of carrots, along with a pack of cinnamon and raisin bagels.
Plus, a package of cinnamon buns with a best before date that allowed a couple of days grace before the sugary treat would go stale.
Not the worst thing.
In the next aisle, she found cans of soup, bags of sugar, and even jars of peanut butter and jam. Before long, Delaney had gathered enough items that she had to take an armload to the front where she piled it all on the cash with a sheepish smile.
“I’m not done yet,” she admitted.
The man looked over the items, and chuckled. “No worries, missy. I’m paid by the hour, not the sale.”
Well, they weren’t exactly busy, right?
Not at the moment, anyway.
“If you’re looking for some frozen stuff, there’s a big chest freezer in the back,” he offered.
Huh.
“Good to know,” Delaney said, spinning away from the cash to go on yet another search.
It didn’t take long for her to find the freezer in question. Six feet long and deep enough that she wouldn’t be able to reach all the way to the bottom if needed—she could tell just by standing alongside it—Delaney opened the freezer to find a gold mine.
Frozen pizzas.
Mozzarella sticks and mad caps.
Ice-cream, boneless chicken breasts, and even packs of bologna waited for her eager hands to paw through and decide what would be best to take back to the cabin. A delicate balance for her to consider given the small fridge that had an even smaller section for frozen goods.
Could just stick it all out in the snow, she thought.
Not seriously, of course.
That was a good way to feed wild animals.
Little else.
According to Lucas, the chopper wouldn’t be back in Birch Ridge until Sunday morning. They had at least three days of meals to get through, and while they would make another trip to the store for gas before they had to leave, Delaney liked to plan.
She wouldn’t apologize for that.
Besides, Lucas did say anything.
Or rather, whatever she wanted.
Delaney kept that in mind as she pulled out a frozen pepperoni pizza, a package of bacon, and a one-pound bag of ground beef. On her way back to the front of the store, she nabbed a box of King Cole tea—it reminded her of Gracen, and she preferred it to coffee if given the option—and a bottle of instant coffee.
Apparently, there had only been enough for one cup that morning. For what it was worth, she made Lucas share it with her. Even if he had insisted on giving it all to her.
She made one more trip to the row of coolers along the side wall, facing rows upon rows of various chips and other bagged snacks with too much salt and sugar. At the cooler by the back, she found milk, butter, eggs, and even prepackaged subs and other easily heatable meals. She skipped over the instant options for the basic needs.
Things she could do something with.
The milk, butter, and eggs, of course.
In her search through the store, she also noticed the various cleaning and other house supplies offered for sale. Even feminine hygiene products and a small section of hanging items for party supplies. At a much higher price than she knew it could be bought in one of the nearby towns—that couldn’t be overlooked, either. She hadn’t given much thought to the price stickers on the pile of items she took to the front, but no doubt, those too were overpriced.
Not surprising given the location of the store.
Buttfuck Nowhere, Canada.
Basically.
If someone needed what was on the shelf and couldn’t make it to town, then so be it. Pay the price on the sticker or suck it up and figure it out.
Those were the choices in rural Canada.
Even gas got knocked up a few cents per liter outside of town limits. The sad fact of the matter came down to people having no other option but to pay much more to live in their small communities outside of the busier, more populated counties surrounding them. Nothing came free. No, their tax dollars paid for that side of things.