She felt stronger, and more clear-minded, as she worked.When she returned from the goat pen, she found Wade struggling with a mattress on the front porch.The item had just been delivered, and it was still wrapped in plastic.
“Let me help,” she said, grabbing an end.
He scowled at the offer.“Shouldn’t you be resting?”
She gave him a puzzled look.
“Yesterday you were in so much pain, you couldn’t drive.”
“It passed.”
“Maybe overexerting yourself exacerbates it.”
She wasn’t sure whatexacerbatemeant, but she didn’t appreciate his tone.“I’m not overexerting myself.”
“You work like a farmhand.”
She shoved at the end of the mattress, almost knocking him off-balance, and he had no choice but to let her assist.She noted that he was sweaty, as ifhe’doverexerted himself.He must have gone on an intense bike ride.His T-shirt was damp from his neck to his waist, clinging to every muscle.
Together, they carried the mattress through the open barn door and toward the wooden pallets.He let it fall with a heavy flop.She stepped back and dusted off her hands.He glanced around the space, his brows raised.His gaze scanned the dresser, microwave, and minifridge before cutting back to her.
“You did this?”
“Yes.I didn’t get a chance to tell you.”
“Thank you.”
She removed the plastic from the mattress.“Was it Billy’s birthday yesterday?”
He seemed surprised by the question.“No, why?”
“Your mother told me it was.She talked me into going out to cheer her up.”
Wade didn’t say anything.
“Do you mind if I ask what happened to him?”
“Do you mind if I ask what happened toyou?”
“What do you mean?”she asked, though she knew.
“You prowl around here like a scared rabbit.”
“Rabbits don’t prowl.”
“You keep a loaded shotgun on hand, you have a fake name, and you wear a goddamned disguise.”
She sputtered with indignation.“A disguise?I don’t even dye my hair.”
“You cover it with a hat, and you try to hide that body in baggy clothes.”His eyes dragged over her from head to toe.“It doesn’t work, you know.You’re still hot, even like that.Your face is stunning.”
Meredith crossed her arms over her chest.“I asked you about your brother’s death because it’s important, at least to Wynona.It’s an obstacle to her sobriety.But apparently you’d rather insult me than talk about it.”
“I was complimenting you, Meadows.If you don’t like it, take your sexy ass out of here and stop begging for my attention.”
“Fuck you, Hendricks.”
“Anywhere, anytime.”
