“For myself.For my peace of mind.”
Wynona crossed her arms over her chest, frowning.She understood Meredith’s background, and her desire for independence.Meredith wouldn’t feel right about taking the Subaru, and it wasn’t big enough for her three dogs.
“Do you have enough money?”Wynona asked.
“I will, as soon as you pay me.”
“You’ll have to take me to the bank.”
A visit to the bank on Saturday was part of their usual routine, along with grocery shopping for the week.Meredith figured it was better to go now than try to rouse Wynona before noon tomorrow.She grabbed the keys off the hook.
As Meredith headed outside, she noted that Wynona was already dressed to impress in a sparkly top, denim skirt, and cowboy boots.They both hustled toward the car.Meredith was afraid Wade would come out of the barn and start interrogating them, so she didn’t waste time.She left a cloud of dust in the driveway that settled on Wade’s truck.
She realized, with a jolt of self-awareness, that she wasn’t just getting prepared for Tripp.She was running scared from Wade.Everything they’d done today, from the frank discussions they’d had to the way he’d touched her, made her feel like she was losing control.She was falling in love with him.
It was a terrifying thought.She couldn’t fall in love with Wade!He was too handsome, too ambitious, too charming, too experienced.He was too much man for her in every way.She tightened her hands around the steering wheel, taking deep breaths.
“So,” Wynona said.“How was your picnic?”
“It was nice,” she said vaguely.
“You’re a pretty girl.He could do worse.”
Meredith supposed that was a compliment.Uncomfortable, she changed the subject.“Will you come with me to look at the truck tomorrow?”
“I can’t.Patty’s treating me to a spa day.”
Meredith was glad to hear it, even though the plans interfered with her own.“Can I borrow your driver’s license?”
She blinked in surprise.“What for?”
“I don’t have one.”
“You’re kidding.”
“I never passed the test.”
Wynona shook her head in wonder.“Is Wade aware of this?”
“Of course not.”
She made a harrumphing sound that wasn’t a refusal.Meredith pulled into the parking lot of the grocery store a few minutes later.There was a bank branch inside the store, which made things convenient.Wynona visited the ATM while Meredith went to get milk.On impulse, she bought ice cream and cake mix.She wasn’t sure how to celebrate a dead person’s birthday, but cake couldn’t hurt.
When they reunited at the car, Wynona reached into her purse for the money she owed Meredith.She tossed it in the passenger seat, with the driver’s license on top.
“Thank you,” Meredith said.
“You know my license isn’t valid.They revoked it after the DUI.”
She did know, and she also knew that Wade wouldn’t approve of her using it.Wynona could be counted on to keep the secret as long as Meredith didn’t try to curb her partying.They were making a deal to live and let live.
“Wade mentioned that he wanted to spend time with you.”
Wynona shrugged, not denying it.
“Maybe the two of you can talk.”
“I won’t hold my breath.”
