Wade leaned back in the chair, which was surprisingly comfortable.He didn’t want to argue with his mother, so he said nothing.He didn’t know how to have a non-contentious conversation with her.
“How long are you staying in Lost Lake?”she asked.
She sounded relaxed.Not sober, but not as drunk was she’d been last night.
“I don’t know.”
“Really?Because I heard you joined the sheriff’s office.”
“Who told you that?”
“A little bird.”
Wade glanced toward the kitchen.He could see Mary doing dishes at the sink.She must have shared the news, which irritated him.She wasn’t on his side, and she wasn’t neutral.She was his mother’s pretty little minion.
“I accepted a first deputy position.”
“Hmm,” she said, instead ofcongrats.
“Do you mind if I stay here for a while?”
“I don’t have an extra bedroom for you.”
“This place has three bedrooms.”
“Mary turned one into my office.We’re selling soaps and knickknacks online.”
“Sounds lucrative.”
“Don’t be snide, Wade.It doesn’t become you.”
“Do you have an extra mattress?I can set it up in the basement.”
“I don’t like the clutter.”
He sighed heavily.She loved clutter.It was him she didn’t like.
“Why did you come?”
“You know why.”
“I’m getting along just fine,” she insisted, petting Chico.“I have Mary.”
Wade snorted his derision.Mary wasn’t taking care of Wynona so much as enabling her.“You got another DUI, Mom.”
She took another sip from her tumbler.“Did Eric tell you that?”
“You’re on a first-name basis with the sheriff?”
“Of course.I know all the good-looking men in town.”
Wade removed his Stetson and raked a hand through his hair.His mother’s exploits were legendary.“Isn’t he married?”
“Divorced,” she purred.
Wade gave her a closer study.She was wearing a long dress and cowboy boots, with a soft wool shawl draped over her shoulders.Her dark hair didn’t show any hints of gray, and her artfully applied makeup disguised her age.She didn’t look sick or haggard.But she would, if she continued to drink like a fish.
“Who loaded the shotgun?”he asked.
