Wynona gave her a sharp look.“Don’t you have work to do?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Meredith said in a cheeky tone.
There was an index card on the corner of the desk with soap orders for the week.She grabbed it on her way out.She needed to make a fresh batch of “Rambling Rose” and move some things around in the barn.
As soon as she stepped inside, the pleasant aroma of soap ingredients greeted her.Several months ago, Meredith had cleared most of the junk from the barn to make space for her workshop.She continued the task of organizing and consolidating supplies.Wynona’s boxes of antiques were transferred to the basement.Meredith carefully avoided the broken step, making a note to repair it.She moved some equipment into the tool shed.While she was there, she remembered a few items she’d stashed inside.There was a microwave and a minifridge, remnants of a former inhabitant.She carried both to the barn, along with a metal garden chair, two wooden pallets to serve as a bed platform, and a small dresser for his clothes.She scrubbed every item to a shine, swept the floor clean, and stood back to survey her work.It wasn’t a five-star hotel, but it would suffice.He could be comfortable here.
Before she left, she spotted a single square of soap on the worktable.It was Rambling Rose, the kind she used.
It smells like you.
She approached the table and swept her thumb over the bar’s smooth surface.Had he planned to use a soapy hand to touch himself last night?She could imagine that all too easily.She’d done it herself, plenty of times.Instead of tossing the soap into a nearby bin, she placed it in the top drawer of the dresser, like a gift.Or an invitation.
Cheeks flaming, she shoved open the door of the barn and almost ran into Wynona.Meredith tried to close the door behind her, but Wynona pushed through.She studied the space with a keen eye.
“Isn’t this cozy,” she said, sounding irritated.“He’ll never leave.”
“You wanted him off the couch.”
“I need a ride to town,” Wynona declared.“I’m going out.”
“Why don’t we stay in and watch a movie?”
Wynona was already dressed for a night on the town.She wore a denim skirt with cowboy boots and a lacy white top.“It’s Billy’s birthday.”
Meredith’s heart broke for Wynona.“Okay.I’ll come with you.”
“As long as you don’t wear that.”Wynona gestured to Meredith’s dusty clothes.“You can borrow a dress from me.”
Nodding, Meredith went into the house and ducked into the shower to wash off the day’s grime.When she emerged from the bathroom, Wynona was waiting for her with a trio of dresses.Meredith glanced at first dress, a sexy red number with skinny straps.
“Definitely not.”
Wynona brought forward a second option.“How about this?”
The second dress, also red, had a floral print and a flowy, bohemian style.It was off the shoulder and feminine but not flashy.Meredith thought of the missing person article from the internet and hesitated.The dress would draw attention.
“Please,” Wynona said.“Bright colors cheer me up.”
Meredith accepted the dress, feeling railroaded, and went to her room to change.Although Wynona was smaller than Meredith, the dress fit her well enough.She donned a pair of leather sandals that had seen better days and studied her reflection in the mirror.She wondered what Wade would think.She wanted him to like her, she realized.She wanted him to see her and desire her.
Wynona insisted on doing her hair and makeup.Meredith sat on the vanity chair in Wynona’s room while the other woman braided strands from her temples into a loose coronet.Then she applied a dusting of eye shadow and a hint of lip gloss.
“You’re pretty as a picture,” Wynona said.
Meredith tugged at the bodice of the dress, self-conscious.She’d become accustomed to her work clothes and faded cap.She needed to avoid attention, not attract it.She certainly couldn’t afford to rev up Wade Hendricks.
Too late.
Wynona dragged her out the door with a gleeful expression, as if eager to show off a new pet.Meredith drove them to a Mexican restaurant called Cantina.At sunset, the outdoor patio was pleasant.They ate chips and salsa.Wynona sipped a margarita.Over a delicious entrée of chicken enchiladas, Meredith picked up their earlier conversation.
“Has Wade mentioned Billy’s birthday?”she asked.
Wynona set down her drink.“No, why?”
“I thought maybe he’d want to spend time with you.”
She flashed a sad smile.“I’m sure he’s too busy.He told me he’ll be working late, investigating.”
