Page 3 of Clara Knows Best

Inside the truck, she started the powerful engine and watched with misgiving as her passenger silenced her Spotify with one ruthless jab. “You’re probably exhausted. Do you want an iced coffee? I brought an extra.”

“Bad for your gut,” he answered, reclining his seat.

She knew he referred to her intestinal health, but the word grated on her ears. “You know, it’s bad manners to talk about a woman’s gut.”

“I’m a doctor.”

“You aren’tmydoctor.”

“All right, sorry,” he said, and though she was too busy navigating the exit lane to look at him, she suspected that he was amused by her reaction.

Amusement, even at her expense, was better than surliness.

As they merged onto the highway, she felt compelled to apologize for the lackluster scenery—the flat landscape on either side of them was dotted with small, dead-looking plants and otherwise looked bald; the mountains in the distance were low and hazy. It had been overcast all day, and everything that wasn’t gray was a dull brown. “Chihuahuan Desert in the winter’s not much to look at, huh?”

“It’s not much to look at in the summer, either. Did I yell at you about the comic books?”

She switched her empty coffee cup for his full one before she replied. “Yeah, kind of.”

“Are you dating Earl Keplinger?”

She had not been expecting the question, but deflected it deftly. “You want to talk about my love life?”

“No,” he said at once.

“Okay, then.” She almost laughed aloud—nowwho lacked boundaries?

He leaned forward and switched the coffee cups back. “Is this pumpkin spice or gingerbread or something?”

“No, just sugar and cream.”

“Oh. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Sorry I’m cranky.”

“No problem.”

He took a long drink and then settled back, pulling his hat lower over his eyes. “The Keplingers are losers.”

“They sure aren’t doctors,” she agreed. And that, she thought, should teach him not to try the big brother act with her.

Jesse sighed slowly, like there was a lot hecouldsay, but he was wise enough to change the subject. “So, what about you, huh? Last I heard, I think you were about to go to beauty school.”

“Hmm, that must’ve been a long time ago. I didn’t end up going.” She turned off the highway onto a dirt road, and clouds of dust rose around the truck as they picked up speed once more. She was surprised when he spoke again.

“Why not?”

She had to think back to what she had said last. “Why didn’t I go to beauty school? I think my dad talked me out of it. I don’t really remember.”

“Never too late.”

She glanced at him in amusement. Was he really giving her a motivational speech? He must think she was a Grade-A loser. “Uh, thanks.” She pulled up between the house and the barn and put the truck in park. “Well, we’re here. This should only take a few minutes. You can wait in here if you want.”

She hopped out before he could say anything else.

“Hey, Miss Mabel,” she greeted the woman on the loading dock. “Please tell me you have our hay.”

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