“Clean?” He snorted.
“Well, duh! I was on a second date with someone who ticked all the boxes. His place was slightly messy but not too bad. Then I gave him the final test and asked to use his bathroom. The bottom of his tub wasblack. Well, except for a few places thatwere greenish. I swear he could have had a science experiment going on in there.”
“Was he a science nerd? Maybe he?—”
“Economics major.”
“I take it he didn’t make the cut.”
“I was outta that apartment so fast. Fortunately I’d driven myself over.”
“Smart.” Somehow he kept from laughing. Her methodical approach to finding the right guy was hysterical. And so nerdy. She wouldn’t appreciate him telling her that.
“Oh, I’ve been smart about it, but the fact remains that nothing’s worked out.” She glanced at the clock on her dash. “Yikes. I have a client in fifteen minutes.”
“Right.” He unsnapped his seatbelt. “Thanks for the ride and all the suggestions. I’ll relay them to the crew. Are we on for tonight?”
“Sure. I’ll let you know if Mom and Dad can come, but either way, I’ll stay overnight at their place. What time’s dinner?
“Around six, as usual.”
“I’ll bring something.”
He started to protest.
“Yes, I will. I haven’t been over since Christmas so I’m not showing up for a meal empty-handed.”
“Alrighty.” He opened his door and took one last look. “Thanks for trusting me.”
“I always have. It’s me I don’t trust.”
“Well, you should. You know more than you think you do.”
She made a face.
His heart constricted. “See you soon.” He said it softly, more intimately than he’d meant to.
Her eyes darkened and she gulped. Quickly turning away, she sucked in a breath. “’Bye.”
“’Bye.” He closed the door and backed away.
She stepped on the gas and drove around him too fast, coming within an inch of his truck. No doubt about it. She was fleeing.
He got it. She was used to being in control of a sexual situation. She’d constructed a set of self-imposed rules. Then she’d broken them all and she was scared to death.
CHAPTER TEN
Tracy began the drive out to Laughing Creek Ranch in twilight, but by the time she approached the turnoff for the ranch, it was full dark. Good thing she and Bluebell knew these roads so well.
Her last visit on Christmas Day had sucked. She was ready to replace that memory with a better one. After her client appointment this afternoon she’d checked her shared calendar app and sure enough, her folks were on the road with their mobile medical unit this weekend.
She’d texted Raquel that she was coming alone and bringing cookies from the Dandy Donut. Maybe it was better that she wouldn’t be seeing her mom and dad right now. Socializing with Adam’s mom without giving anything away would be challenging enough.
Then there was Angie. Although she was new to the situation, she’d clearly noticed something was amiss during their short interaction today. Not a big surprise. Adam had raved about how sharp Angie was after their meeting in Wagon Train a few days before Christmas.
He’d found out she was only twenty-six, which made her skills and business savvy even more admirable. She’d drivenover to check out the Victorian during the week between Christmas and New Year’s and submitted a contract and estimate that same week.
Tracy had vetted it and been impressed. She’d been eager to get acquainted with such a talented and efficient woman. Thanks to Adam’s invitation, she’d finally have the opportunity.
