“I can’t believe I missed seeing Desiree when she came over last month. So how does the brainy two-year-old figure in the tunnel plan?”
“Kendall and Angie create her space by hanging a king-sized sheet over a couple of sawhorses, and she loves crawling in and out of there. Made me remember how much I loved tunnels and tents as a kid.”
“Most of us did. How would you do it?”
As he described the concept, she got into it and offered several suggestions, including a lighting system so it wouldn’t be too dark and scary. The tunnel project occupied them all the way through lunch.
Meanwhile he was multi-tasking. Her reference to being a nerdy kid had sparked another idea that had nothing to do with tunnels. Should he tell her about it? Not yet. Maybe not ever. It was risky.
The bill arrived and they split the check, staying true to tradition. They’d always taken care to avoid acting like a couple. Brainstorming about the tunnel continued as they left the Raccoon and walked to her truck.
Today’s encounter had been enlightening but it was almost over. Once she drove him back to the house, they wouldn’t be together again until their horseback ride tomorrow. He didn’t want to go that long without seeing her.
The return trip to the Victorian was short, and by the end of it he still didn’t know how to keep her in his sights. Then Angie’s truck in the parking area inspired him.
“Listen, if you’re not busy tonight, how about coming out for dinner? You can get to know those three better and Mom would love it.”
“Sounds like fun, but I’m not wild about driving back to town at night in the winter. That one time I broke down and couldn’t get cell service spooked me.”
“I wasn’t thinking you’d drive back tonight. I’ll bet your mom and dad would enjoy having you stay with them. In fact, they should come to dinner, too.”
“That’s three extra people.” She pulled into the circular drive behind his truck. “On top of the three members of Angie’s crew.”
“Have you met the Bridger Bunch? Has that ever been?—”
“Okay, okay, you’re right. I’d love that and so would my folks. They’ve been asking me to come for an overnight. That’s assuming they’re not on the road with the mobile unit this weekend. I’ve lost track.”
“Don’t you have their schedule on your phone? I thought you always?—”
“I do. I did, but I haven’t checked recently.”
“Trace.”
She let out a sigh. “I hate to say it, but I’ve been avoiding them, too. My mom can see right through me. I was afraid she’d be able to tell something’s wrong.”
“But you go out there to ride, so didn’t you see?—”
“Briefly, but I‘ve avoided long chats with her. On the weekends when they’re on the road with the mobile unit, only Dutch is there. He did comment once that I always seemed to come when they were gone.”
“I’ll bet your mom’s picked up on that and is looking for a time when she can ask you about it.”
“You’re probably right. I really effed things up for everybody, didn’t I?”
“Weeffed things up. And I promise we’ll find a way to fix it.”
She gazed at him. “Everything I read says I’m the one who needs fixing. I have to work on myself because obviously something’s not right. I’ve had four serious relationships and they all imploded.”
“I’m assuming in the other three you were the imploder.”
“I was.”
“Just curious. Did you pick them or did they pick you?”
“I picked them. Didn’t want to leavethatto chance.”
He managed not to smile. Yep. That sounded like Tracy. “How did you make the choice?”
“Close observation so I could guarantee they were nice guys before we ever did the deed. They were all terrific. Smart, considerate, clean.”
