A muscle in his jaw flexed, and he didn’t answer.
“Sorry,” she said, aware that she’d overstepped her bounds.“It’s a disturbing topic.I shouldn’t have asked.”
They both fell silent again, each lost in their own thoughts.When they arrived at Nolan Ranch, she hopped out, but he stayed behind the wheel.Their eyes met across the cab and lingered.
“You did well today,” he said, surprising her.
His praise warmed her more than it should have.“Thank you.”
“Tell my mom I’ll be home later.”
She nodded and watched him drive away.Daisy and King came to greet her.She petted their heads absently.It was a full minute before she realized she was standing there with a dreamy look on her face, mooning over Wade Hendricks.
Damn the man for being too handsome for his own good, and for having a decent personality, when he felt like showing it.
“Get a grip, Meri,” she told herself.“He probably flirts with everyone.”
Wynona was in the kitchen, listening to soft country music.She had a pot of vegetable soup on the stove.Chico stood at her feet, wagging his tail.
“That smells good,” Meredith said.
“Where have you been?”
“Volunteering,” she said, and bent to pet Chico.
His tongue stuck out on one side, because he’d lost so many teeth.Meredith loved his crooked little face.
“I fed your dogs.”
“Thank you.”
Meredith stood and hugged Wynona’s thin shoulders.Then she washed her hands before they sat down for dinner.Wynona nibbled at toast and stirred her soup without interest.Instead of finishing the meal, she rose to make herself a drink.Whiskey on the rocks.She filled a tumbler of apple juice for Meredith.Wynona didn’t like to drink alone.
When Meredith was done eating, they went out to the porch to sit in cushioned deck chairs.Chico hopped onto Wynona’s lap, which was his favorite place to be in the evenings.Meredith didn’t sit still long enough to suit him.
“The view’s ruined,” Wynona grumbled.
Meredith hid a smile.She meant that Wade’s things had cluttered her front porch.Wynona only liked her own clutter.“He said he’ll be home later.”
“How long is he staying?”
“I don’t know.”
“Patty told me he joined the sheriff’s department.He’s not just helping out temporarily.”
Patty Gonzalez was Wynona’s best friend, partner in crime, and a shameless gossip.Meredith didn’t confirm or deny the information.
“Can you believe the way he hauled me out of the center last night?That was elder abuse.”
Meredith chuckled at the exaggeration.“You’re not elderly, Wynona.”
“You like him.”
Meredith’s amusement faded.She felt vulnerable, after spending so much time with Wade, and reluctant to acknowledge the chemistry between them.Wynona was a canny woman, adept at reading cues.
“I don’t know why I’m surprised,” Wynona said.“He’s been charming women for decades.”
Meredith changed the subject.“I saw some sports trophies in the basement.”
