Leaving the motor running, he hopped out. “I see your folks took off.”
“They’re having dinner with Andy and your mom. They suggested we all come over after Granny’s checked the manuscript.”
“She’s already started cooking.” He helped her into Thunder’s passenger seat.
“Then I’ll let them know.” She reached into the tote for her phone.
“You and I could drop by later, if you want to tell them that.”
Her gaze met his, held for a moment. Then she took a quick breath. “Let’s not complicate things.”
“Okay.” He closed the door and hurried around to the driver’s side. He would give anything to know what had gone through her mind just now. But he wouldn’t ask.
When he climbed behind the wheel and shut the door, he let out a sigh of pleasure. Thunder’s cab had never felt so cozy. Was it wrong to wish the drive to his cabin would take longer?
“Tough day?”
“No. Why’d you ask?” He shifted into reverse and backed the truck around so he could pull out.
“That big sigh of relief.”
“I’ve looked forward to seeing you. And now you’re here. We’re on our way. That was a contented sigh you just heard.”
“Oh.” A pause. “I’ve looked forward to seeing you, too.”
He glanced over. She stared out the windshield, not looking at him, but the light from the dash allowed him to see the flush on her cheek. “Does that mean you’re starting to like me a little bit?”
“I like Dooley a lot.”
“I’m glad, but he’s not me. I’ve never been in law enforcement and never had a desire to be. If that’s what you admire about him, then?—”
“It isn’t. He’s a reluctant hero. That’s always appealed to me.”
“Well, I’m about as reluctant a hero as you’ll ever find.”
“That’s what I mean. You sounded like Dooley just then. And he sounds like you.”
“I suppose that’s inevitable.”
“Does he think like you?”
“About what?” Her line of questioning made him nervous.
“Women.”
He swallowed. He knew a trap when he saw one. “Could you be more specific?”
“Sure. Does he think about Sophia the way you think about me?”
He couldn’t tell from her tone whether that would be a plus or a minus. What would Granny do? She’d tell the truth. “Yes, he does. Full disclosure, I thought about you when I created Sophia and if that bothers you, I can change?—”
“Don’t change anything. It’s… it’s lovely.”
“Yeah?” Which was nice to hear, but something was wrong. The air crackled with tension.
“You’re a shapeshifter, Rance.” Her voice quivered. “I took you for a jokester, a man skating on the surface of life, and then I read this book and discover you have depth and empathy and sensitivity, or at least Dooley does. And now I don’t… I don’t know what to…”
Her audible gulp told him she was losing it. He pulled over and shifted into park. “I’m sorry.” He unbuckled his seat belt and turned to her. “You’re right. You saw me one way and I played to that while working on a plan to dramatically change your opinion.”
