“Then why don’t you enlighten me.”
“This isn’t the time.” She says, self-righteously.
“But y’all just brought it up. See this is what I don’t likeabout you. You’re not straight up about anything, unless it’s, ‘oh,touch me there, no, harder, yeah, that’s it’ kindashit.”
She hasthe grace to chuckle, biting her lip. “Yeah, I suppose you’ve gotme there.”
“It’s not your fault.” I swallow. “Y’all just went through ashitty divorce and all. I get it.”
“That’s part of it.”
“What’s the other part?”
She’ssilent for a beat, mulling that over. “I’m just…trying to figurethings out, you know. There are some things that have happened thatI never planned on happening is all. You and I…well…that’s one ofthem.”
“You and I are not you and I, if you don’t want us to be, thatis.” I offer. “Last thing I want is to cause you anytrouble.”
Her handfinds mine. “I know it. And I appreciate it.”
She’sright, whether or not this is the time or the place to talk aboutit, we’re both here, alone, with nothing but time to kill, so Ibring it up. “My brothers think that you’re reading more into thisthing than there is. That true?”
“Not at all.” She shakes her head. “I think I just finishedsaying that. You and I, we’re just having fun is all, ain’t nothingserious going on here at all.”
“See, that’s exactly what I was thinking, too. That’s the lasttime I listen to my bone-headed brothers.”
With asoft chuckle, she rubs my back. “They mean well, Maverick. Justlooking out for you is all.”
“Yeah, I suppose so.” Something occurs to me that I want toclear the air on. “Is that what you were doing with Gunner inthere? Just looking out for him? Or are…are you afraid that he’sgonna sue you or something.” I ask carefully.
“Gunner’s a doll, Maverick. He reminds me of my littlebrother.” She answers honestly. “I wouldn’t want anything to happento anyone on my account.” She pauses. “I wouldn’t be hereotherwise.” Another pause. “If your mama never took out healthcoverage for him, I’ll pay for all this, too. It’s the least that Ican do. You’ve seen my house. I have plenty of money.”
My headhangs in shame. I feel awful for thinking the things that I wasthinking about Ellie. “Na, it’s okay. Mama makes sure we’re alltaken care of. You’ve seen the ranch. We’ve got lots of money,too.” I look at her. “But thanks for offering all thesame.”
Sheoffers me a tight smile and for a moment, our eyes lock. She is abeautiful woman. And despite some of the things I don’t like abouther, she’s very smart, career-driven, and strong. I mean, she’s theonly one that could stomach Gunner’s arm. “You hungry?” she asksme.
“I’m starving, actually. I suppose we have plenty of time togo grab a bite in that little luncheonette just off the Emergencydepartment.”
“How about I go grab us something, since the doctors won’ttell me anything, should they come out, on account of me not beingfamily.” She offers.
“Sure. That sounds great. Thanks.”
“You betcha.” She winks.
Elliereturns and we eat the bagel sandwiches in silence. Thankfullywe’re in a waiting room specifically for operating room patients,so there is no sign restricting us from eating in here, like in theEmergency department. When we’re finished, we sit and watch themonitor on the wall, which gives us local news, some handy hints,and some health news. It’s got to be two hours since Gunner wentunder the knife, when finally a doctor comes out.
“He’s in recovery.” The doctor says. He’s got a white smockon, with an identification tag clipped to the left breast pocket,which I don’t bother to read, and he introduces himself, but Iforget his name almost instantly. “It’ll be another hour or sobefore you can see him.”
“How’s his arm?” I ask.
“Good.” He nods. “It’s going to take some time to heal, butluckily it was a clean break. He’ll need some physical therapy toget all his nerves in top shape again, but he’s a strapping, youngboy, so I don’t anticipate less than a full recovery.”
I shakethe doctor’s hand. “Thanks, doc. Thanks so much.”
He grinsand walks away.
“Well, thank God for that.” Ellie says, the relief is evidenton her face.
“I’ll say. I’ll give mama a call.”
