“Why the fuck are you tracking me?”
“I have everyone on it.That way, when someone goes missing, we know where to search for the body.This is a big ranch, we can’t be out here willy nilly looking for your corpse for days before we cash in on your life insurance.”
“Bye, Lemonade.”
“Be nice to her.She’s the only other friend I’ve made here except Zadie and Daisy-Mae.One more and I can start a team for trivia night at Earl’s.”
I hang up on my sister and focus on the car ahead.It’s parked haphazardly on the shoulder.I can’t see the driver on the other side of that raised bonnet, but I know exactly who this little tinker toy belongs to, because she was almost running me over with it an hour ago.I pull up alongside, and Daisy-Mae jumps.
“West Winchester,” she presses her palm against her chest.“You scared the life outta me.”
“Sorry, darlin’.You need a little help?”
“I think my car just up and died.”
“Hold on a minute,” I say, resting my arm on the windowsill.“I’ll pull in.”
Daisy nods and steps back off the road.I drive ahead, do a U-turn and line up our bonnets in case we have to jump start it, though from the way it’s smoking, I’d say it’s the radiator causing her all that grief.
“What happened?”I ask, jumping out of the truck and coming up beside her.
“I’m guessing she got jealous of my smokin’ hot bod,” she says, and I have no clue what the hell that means, but Daisy just shrugs.“You heard it when I left work earlier, she did not want to start.Come to think of it, this car didn’t want to start this morning or yesterday either.I just thought she was being temperamental.”
“When was the last time you put water in it?”
She just stares at me blank faced.“You’re supposed to do that?”
Daisy might’ve been the butt of plenty of blonde jokes back in high school, but I know this woman is sharp as a tack.She was in Wade’s year, but sat through math, science, and English a year above her grade.How the hell does she not know what it takes to run a car?
“I’m kidding, West.I know you have to put water in it.She’s always thirsty, but with this pregnancy brain, I can’t remember when I last did it.”Her face contorts with a frown.
“Sounds like a busted radiator.”
“Sounds like it’s expensive to fix.”
“You’re just lucky we know a guy.”I head back to my truck and pull out the walkies—we use them a lot on the ranch, since we don’t always get cell reception.I hold down the microphone.“Wade?”
The radio in my hand crackles with static.“What’s up, mother fucker?”
I grimace and look at Daisy.“I’m sorry.He really was born in a barn.”
She shrugs.“It’s not like I haven’t heard it before.”
“I’m with Daisy-Mae,” I say and then whisper, “so I’d appreciate it if you could keep it clean, asshole.”
“My asshole is always clean.”Static crackles.“Sorry, ma’am.”
“Listen, I’m out on Resolute Road, just past mile marker fifteen.Daisy’s car has broken down.”
“Well shit.What do you want me to do about it?”Wade asks.
“I want you to come and get it.”
There’s a long pause of static, and then Wade whines, “But it’s Friday night.I’m headed to Earl’s.”
“Hmm.You can head to Earl’s after you and Wyatt come tow this thing to the garage.”
“Alright, alright.Don’t get your panties in a wad.I’ll be there.”
