I roll my eyes. “It’s still standin’ apparently.”
“Well,that’sgood,” he says with a wry laugh. “Wouldn’t want to have to rush back because you thought it was crumblin’ without you bein’ there.”
“Hey!” I gently hit his shoulder. “I’m notthatbad.”
He rubs his chin as if having to think about it. My offended gasp gets him laughing. “No. But youareallowed to be worried about it. Just not enough to stop you havin’ fun. Yeah?”
“We haven’t even been away for a week yet. I think I’ve done well not checkin’ in every five minutes. I’ve been tryin’ to control myself. It’s not like you’re callin’ the ranch all the time.”
“That’s cause it’s not all on me. The diner is your baby.”
I lean my back against the truck door and look over at him. “You’re sayin’ it helps not bein’ the only one who has to make the decisions?”
“Why? You thinkin’ about takin’ on a business partner?”
I hadn’t thought about it before.Is that why I asked?
The question lingers in the air between us as I think about the idea. "I don't know. Maybe?”
Red goes quiet for a moment as if thinking about what to say. “You know you’ve done very well for yourself, and the diner is proof of that.”
“I know. But is it worth what I’m missin’ out on? Y’all had to drag me out of the place to get me to have avacation.Is that a good way to live?”
"You’ve got a lot to show for it though. You’ve done well for yourself, and I don’t just mean financially. You’ve created a meetin’ place, a restaurant, a home away from home for the townsfolk.”
“Yeah, I guess. It’s just…I don’t know, I’m bein’ silly.”
No, you’re not. You’re evaluatin’ things and wonderin’ what if, am I right?” I nod. “We all have those moments. Hell, I’ve been havin’ a lot of them myself since Wy told me he was leavin’.”
“Did you come up with any answers?”
“Nope,” he says, popping the p. “But I do know that this ismyfirst break away from everythin’ in years too. I know one thing though.”
“What?”
“Damn glad I’m on it with you.”
Well, hell. What do I say to that?Before I can reply, he continues.
“The thing to take away from this, darlin’, is that you have a ton of people in your life who just want the best for you. This trip away–whether you think you were dragged along or you got suckered in by Wyatt’s big green eyes— is all the proof you need that we all care about you.”
Not knowingwhatto say to that, let alonehowto say it, I don’t say anything. Instead, I just stare at him.
“What’s got you thinkin’ so hard over there? If I’ve stepped outta line, you can tell me…”
“It’s not that.”
“What is it then?”
He’s right, of course. About everything. But me being me can’t just tell him that. Instead, I decide to lighten the mood just a little.
“I’m wonderin’ if this is a vacation or the start of a spiritual journey? Maybe I need to wake up my inner goddess and realize there’s more to life than just work, bills, and sleep. Or at least start listenin’ to what Star tells me to do.”
The corner of his mouth quirks. “Not sure your inner goddess needs to wake up, darlin’. Iaminterested in what Star told you to do?” He turns the truck into the packed parking lot of ‘The Pen Bar’ where the rodeo party is being held.
“You really want to know?”
“Wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t,” he says matter of factly.
