“He hasn’t mentioned it before?”Wynona asked.
“Just once, on the night he almost got shot.I didn’t take it seriously.”
“Maybe you should.”
Meredith sipped the lemonade to soothe her dry throat.
Wynona leveled with her.“You’re madly in love with him, he’s madly in love with you, and you’re both so goddamned earnest I can’t stand it.You’re the Girl Scout to his Boy Scout.You’re made for each other.”
“He’s not a Boy Scout, Wynona.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
She traced the rim of her glass with one fingertip, reluctant to express her deepest fears.Wade wasn’t a Boy Scout, but hewasan excellent catch.He was handsome, well-educated, charming, and ambitious.She was, as Sheriff Hendricks had put it, abackwoods wildcat.“You don’t think he’s out of my league?”
Wynona considered the question carefully.“No, I don’t think he’s out of your league.I think you’re a woman who doesn’t realize her own worth.”
Meredith felt tears prick behind her eyes.“You do?”
Wynona reached out to hold her hand.“I’ve spent thirty years blaming my son for something that wasn’t his fault and blaming myself, too.Don’t let that nasty business with Tripp Gilley affect the rest of your life.He was the poison, not you.”
“Who told you about that?”
She squeezed Meredith’s hand.“Wade did.You two deserve to be happy.Don’t wait too long to tie the knot.”
Meredith took a deep breath.“You just said getting married was old-fashioned.”
“It is,” Wynona said.“But consider Wade’s perspective.He grew up in a broken home.He wants to do things differently and by the book.”
Meredith looked away and drank more lemonade.Wynona patted her hand and let the subject drop.They went outside to join Wade, and he took them to a nice restaurant for lunch.They celebrated Wynona’s sobriety with a quiet meal and a trip to the nearby caverns.Meredith watched Wade carefully, considering Wynona’s words.Did he want to put a ring on her finger?Did he want to live happily ever after with her in Lost Lake?It boggled her mind to imagine a fairy-tale ending.
On the other hand, maybe she deserved it.She wasn’t classy or book-smart, but she was strong-minded and clever.She’d learned to compensate for the skills she lacked.She’d helped Wade solve an investigation.She was honest, caring, and courageous.She believed in herself, and she believed in Wade.
Theyweremade for each other.
After Wade dropped off Wynona, he drove to the accommodations he’d booked for the night.Meredith was impressed by his choice of a secluded cabin overlooking the painted-desert landscape.There was an infinity pool on the back patio, with a water feature that bubbled like a flowing brook.The space appeared natural and rustic, but elegantly arranged, like an exclusive resort for two.
“Very fancy,” she said, kissing his lips.
“I thought so.”
“What’s the occasion?”
“I wanted to re-create our first date, but it’s too hot for a picnic.”
She murmured her agreement.“This is better.”
“Even without a gravesite?”
Smiling, she glanced outside.“The view makes up for it.”
While he poured them a refreshing drink, she walked out the sliding glass door, eager to try the swimming pool.It looked extremely inviting.In this private refuge, no swimsuit was necessary.She kicked off her sandals and dipped her toes in the cool water.He brought the drinks to the patio.
“Wait,” he said as she unbuttoned her dress.
This was unlike him.He never objected to the removal of clothes.Pulse racing, she let her hands fall to her sides.
His glittering gaze met hers, molten gold in the fading daylight.Sweat had dampened the suntanned hollow of his throat.She stared at that place on his body, struck by the stark beauty and quiet strength of him.
