He turned on the radio for the drive home but kept it at a low volume in case he got struck by the urge to burst into song.She gazed out the window, her expression neutral.She was still worried about something, and he didn’t think it was their sexual compatibility.She wasn’t an easy woman to get close to.The trust he’d built with her would have to be continually reassessed and re-earned.He was okay with that.
They arrived at Nolan Ranch just before dusk.He parked next to his mother’s Subaru and glanced at Mary.
“Wynona’s home,” she murmured.
“Will you come to the barn?”
“Right now?”
“Yes.”
“She’ll notice.”
“So?”
Shaking her head, she exited the vehicle.The dogs raced around her in circles, greeting her with adoration and enthusiasm.She stroked King’s shaggy neck, threw the ball for Daisy, and picked up Chico to cuddle before heading into the house.Wade followed her into the kitchen, because he was thirsty, and he didn’t give a damn what his mother thought about their date.Wynona was sitting at the kitchen table with a longneck.She assessed the situation in a single glance.
“You two been rolling in the dirt together or what?”
Mary flushed at the question.Her clothes were damp and wrinkled, and her shoes dusty.“We went to the lake for a picnic.”
Wynona’s brows rose as she sipped her beer.Wade gave her a warning look and opened the fridge to grab his own bottle.He felt conflicted about drinking with his mother, but he figured every beer he consumed was one less for her.
“A man called for you,” Wynona said to Mary.
Her face froze, and Wade felt his shoulders grow tense.
“A man?”
“Said he had a truck to sell, if you’re still interested.I wrote down the number.”
Mary found the note by the phone.“Thanks.”
“You don’t need to buy some jalopy,” Wynona said, frowning.“I’ll give you the Subaru, free and clear.”
Instead of accepting this generous offer, or calling the seller back, Mary walked away.“I’m going to take a shower,” she said, and disappeared into the hallway.
Wynona waited for Mary to get out of earshot.Then she turned to Wade, her voice a sharp whisper.“If you run that girl off—”
“I’m not running her off,” Wade interrupted, sitting down at the table.
“What are you doing?”
He twisted the cap free and took a long drink.“It’s none of your business.”
“This is my house,” she retorted.“I have rules.”
Wade shook his head in disbelief.The idea of his free-spirit mother attempting to enforce rules was ludicrous.She hadn’t even done it when he was a kid, and he was thirty years old now.“I think that ship sailed, Mom.”
“Don’t you dare disrespect me, Wade Aaron Hendricks.I can still take a switch to you.”
“You never did, even when I deserved it.”
“I was too soft.”
He made a noncommittal sound.She hadn’t been too soft; she’d been too tipsy.“I need to talk to you about tomorrow.”
“What about it?”
