“Tell Dad I’m okay,” Meredith said.
“I will.”
“I’ll come visit as soon as I can.”
“Who’s the guy you’re with?”Amanda asked.“Is he your boyfriend?”
Meredith wasn’t sure where she stood with Wade.“We’re seeing each other.”
Amanda made a sound of approval.“Bring him with you when you come up.I need a closer look.”
Wade smiled wryly.
“I’ll try,” Meredith said.
“Take care, now,” Amanda said.“Love you.”
“Love you,” Meredith said, and hung up.It wasn’t a typical Midwest goodbye, gruff and unsentimental.She wasn’t used to hearing those words out loud, or saying them.Sniffling, Meredith gave the phone back to Wade.
“I have to get back to Lost Lake,” he said.“Are you coming with me?”
Meredith nodded.She wanted to be with him, and she couldn’t go anywhere without a reliable vehicle.
“What happened to your truck?”
“It overheated.I think the radiator’s busted.”
He made a grunting sound that clearly meantI told you so.“I’ll get it towed to a local mechanic.”
She didn’t argue with this plan.Wade made the arrangements while she stared out the window, petting Chico.She couldn’t pay for expensive repairs and might have to chalk up the purchase as a total loss.The idea didn’t bother her as much as it should have.She was alive, and she was with Wade.Maybe everything would work out.
When his phone rang again, he answered, and then passed the call to her.
“Hello?”
“Meredith?”
She recognized Garrett Rose’s voice immediately.“Hi, Dad.”
“Amanda said you were hiding out in Texas.”
“Yes.I’ve been in Lost Lake.”
“She told me why.”
Meredith took a deep breath, unsure what to say.
“I didn’t know,” he said.“If I did, I’d have torn him up.”
She smiled at the protective statement.“It’s all right, Dad.It’s over now.”
“I’m glad you’re okay.”
“So am I.”
“It’s good to hear your voice,” her father said.“I’m glad our last conversation… wasn’t really our last.”
Meredith understood what he was referring to.They’d only spoken a handful of times since she ran away ten years ago.His regret over their falling out was palpable.“I’m sorry for leaving like I did.”
