“He’s trying, Nona.Give him a chance.”
Wynona narrowed her eyes at Meredith.“The only thing he wants to talk to me about is going to rehab.And you’ve got a lot of nerve taking his side against me while you sneak around behind his back.”
“I’m not sneaking around.”
“Borrowing my license?That’s not sneaky?”
“I’m not taking his side,” Meredith said.“I’m suggesting that you talk to him about your relationship.”
“Our relationship?”
“He thinks you don’t love him.”
“He said that?”
Meredith crossed her arms over her chest and didn’t answer.
“He wouldn’t say that,” Wynona said.“He wouldn’t care.”
“You’re wrong,” Meredith said flatly.
Wynona hitched her purse up on one slim shoulder.“Let’s talk about you and where you’re going in that truck.”
Her throat tightened with emotion.
“Are you running away from my son or someone else?”
She didn’t answer.
“Honey, I know what you’re going through, believe me.I know how it feels to escape a bad man.I know all about running.But I also know that sometimes it’s a mistake to run.Sometimes you have to face your fears and stand your ground.”
“When have you done that?”
“Never,” she said, meeting her gaze.“I’m what you call a cautionary tale.You want to end up like me?”
Tears blurred Meredith’s eyes.“Where are you going tonight?”
“Nowhere good,” she said.“Don’t wait up.”
Meredith drove back to the ranch with an unsettled feeling that was half excitement, half dread.Wade would be angry with her for multiple reasons.Although she trusted him to control his temper, she couldn’t prevent past arguments with Tripp from invading her psyche.She’d learned to avoid conflict with men.
She parked the Subaru in its usual spot and got out.Wade was sitting in a chair on the front porch, a half-empty beer bottle in his hand and two dogs lounging at his feet.Judging by his damp hair, he’d showered.He was wearing faded jeans and an old T-shirt.He gave her a dark look that promised difficult conversations or wicked delights.Perhaps both.
Daisy emerged from the garden with her tennis ball, in full gallop, and almost knocked Meredith sideways.The dog ignored Meredith and ran straight to Wade.He took the ball and sent it sailing into the stratosphere.Meredith figured he was trying to lose it and thwart Daisy, but the dog loved a challenge.She went racing after the ball.Meredith was happy to see Daisy back to her old self.
She went inside the kitchen to put away the ice cream and milk.When she returned outdoors, Daisy had already found the ball.Sunset brought a soft display of pink clouds.Meredith fed the dogs kibble and secured them in the dog run.She needed a chance to talk to Wade without distractions.
Wade rose from the porch and walked toward the barn.His shoulders were stiff with irritation as he disappeared inside, but he left the door open in clear invitation.
Meredith felt a wave of nervous energy as she returned to the kitchen to wash her hands.Anxiety had parched her throat.She poured herself a glass of peach iced tea.Taking it with her, she approached the barn.Wade wasn’t lifting weights or pacing the room in agitation.He was sitting at the edge of his bed, staring at his phone screen with annoyance.When she came inside, he tossed the device aside and straightened abruptly.
Meredith closed the door behind her.She waited for him to interrogate her about the truck or his mother’s whereabouts.He did neither.
“Your mother stayed in town,” she said.
“I gathered that.”
“Is there something else you’d like to discuss?”
