“See, what? I didn’t even answer the question.”
“Okay,” he said, a chuckle escaping his lips. “Have you?”
She lifted her chin once more. “By choice—no.”
“But you’ve never even tried it.”
“I don’t have to,” she insisted.
Burke pulled onto the main road. It was darker than dark beyond the headlight’s beam now, a fact that had him picturing Justine and her roadside animal-gathering habit. “They should put streetlights out here,” he said, hating the idea of her doing so at night.
“Whatever,” she said, shaking her head. “You just like to pick on country life, don’t you?” Her pretty lips were pulled into a pout, but he saw a grin toying with the edges.
“If it keeps the conversation going, I do,” he admitted. “I like the way you defend it.”
“At least that makes one of us.” She tilted her head and feigned interest in a thread on her shirt.
“You’re saying you don’t like it when I talk about the city?”
“With all that snobbery? Not especially.” Burke laughed some more. This was fun. He wished there would be more of it. But there wouldn’t. His duty was done after tonight. She no longer needed him.
Though, he couldn’t be sure she didn’twantto spend time with him too. But how would he go about it? Wait, hadn’t she said she had furniture to set up in a booth of her own?
“Would you like me to help set up your furniture booth?” he asked.
“Oh,” she said. “Thank you, but Frank and his brother came by this morning and helped me get it all moved and set up. They were getting the stage ready since they always perform there. They’re in a band together.”
Frank the towing guy, huh?Disappointment pressed knots into his gut. Was it possible she liked this Frank guy? Or his brother? A level of desperation set in, bringing with it a new idea.
“Hey,” he said, trying to sound casual now. “If I catch some fish in the next few days, will you show me how to fry it up like Wilfred does?”
They were already approaching the turnoff now. He took his eyes briefly off the road to look at her face.
That dimple sank into her cheek. “You think you’re going to catch a fish?”
If he didn’t, he’d pay someone to do it for him. “It’s possible.”
“The festival starts at three. I’ll be pretty tied up in the morning, but if you caught something in time for lunch, I’d come show you how to cook it, sure.” There was something in her voice that sounded…tentative. Like she wasn’t sure she meant what she’d said. Or that she wouldn’t want to follow through.
Was she that ready to be done with him?
He pulled into her driveway. The sight of Justine’s house planted a spot of warmth in his heart. He liked picturing her leaned back on the rocking chair, a book in her hands while sunlight broke through the branches. She’d make a simple moment like that magical, wouldn’t she? Justine would tune into chirping birds, the soft breeze, and the scent of pine in the air.
“Thanks again,” she said as he slowed the car to a stop. “I can’t believe how well that went.”
“Yes,” he said, surprised they hadn’t discussed it yet. He’d been too preoccupied with thoughts of seeing her again to think of anything else. “I don’t think he suspected for a minute.”
A thoughtful furrow pulled at her brow as she nodded. “I don’t think so either.”
She looked…sad. But why?
“I better hurry,” she blurted, seeming to remember herself suddenly. “I don’t want to keep her waiting.”
“Right,” Burke said, moving to unfasten his seatbelt.
“No, no.” Justine waved her hand. “You don’t have to get my door. Just…” She leaned in, wrapped her arms around him in a quick hug, and released him. “Thank you. So much.” She threw open the door then and climbed out.
“I’ll see you later.” She had the door closed before Burke could respond.
