Page 23 of Wild and Wrangled

I think I’m going to start writing you more notes. You kind of make me nervous, so it’s easier to write things down. Don’t tell anyone about the nervous thing, though. I have a reputation to uphold, ya know?

Can I give you a ride home from your soccer game again today? I’d like to make that a habit I think.

Also, my mom wants to know if you want to come to dinner sometime. Don’t worry, she’s nice and so is my dad. My little sister will probably be kind of annoying, but just because she’ll be obsessed with you.

Say yes.

(please)

Dusty

I walked through the automatic doors of the Meadowlark Assisted Living Facility with flowers in one hand and a small bag of groceries in the other. The bag only had twothings in it: tapioca pudding and canned peaches—Anne’s favorites.

The assisted living facility in Meadowlark was small. It was less than a mile away from the hospital and had stunning views of the mountains out the back windows. Anne had been here for a few months, and I tried to come see her once a week to give her updates on what was going on at the house as well as some company. She didn’t have any kids or grandkids who had stayed in Meadowlark, and even though I don’t think she was lonely—she made friends fast—I liked coming here.

I found her in the sunroom with her e-reader. Anne had her reading glasses on, and the text on the screen was so large that only a paragraph fit on the screen at a time. I could read it from where I stood, but I didn’t. I knew better than to read over a woman’s shoulder. I had manners. She looked up before I said anything.

“I had a feeling that was you,” she said with a smile. Anne’s hair was short, white, and permed. She exclusively wore worn-out crewnecks in the winter and gingham button-downs in the summer.

“How’d you know?” I asked as I bent at the waist to hug her.

“You make a lot of noise,” she said. “All those rings and buckles clinking around.”

“New flowers for your room,” I said, handing over the small baby’s breath bouquet. “And some snacks.”

“Just in time,” Anne said with a soft smile. “I just threw out the old flowers yesterday. Thank you.”

I nodded. “How are you?” I asked.

Anne’s blue eyes gleamed. “I’m great,” she said. “Apparently, one of the nurses started dating the son of one of the residents a few weeks ago, and they just had a big blowoutbreakup because the son was flirting with one of the nursing assistants.”

I huffed a laugh and shook my head. “As much as I appreciate the gossip, I asked how you were.”

“So you don’t want to hear about the fact that I’m pretty sure Donald has two girlfriends, but neither of them know about the other because they’re in different activity groups?” Donald was Anne’s neighbor.

“I didn’t say that,” I said, smiling. “But I always want to know about you first.”

Anne took off her reading glasses and let out a contented sigh. “I like it here more than I thought I would,” she said. “Sometimes, I miss the house, but I don’t miss feeling so isolated.” She had a hard time getting around, and she didn’t like to drive anymore. Her kids had been worried that her house was too secluded for her to get help if she needed it, so she didn’t fight them when they brought up the move. “It’s nice being so close to people, and there’s always something going on. It’s like living at the post office,” she said with a grin. It was well known that the Meadowlark Post Office was a gossip hot spot.

“I’m glad,” I said. “What did you do this week?”

Anne thought about it for a moment. “The service dogs came,” she said. “And there was a painting class, too. I’m a shit painter.”

“What did you paint?” I asked on a chuckle.

“One of the service dogs,” she said. “I was going to give it to the owner next time they came, but I’m afraid they would think it’s an insult.” I shook my head on a laugh. “How’s the house?” Anne asked after a second.

“Good,” I said. “I probably need to replace the HVACsystem before next winter. The heat has gone out a few times, but so far, it’s been a quick fix every time.”

“I should have Ed tell Cam about that,” Anne said, looking back down at her e-reader. “She’s looking at the house today.”

I felt my eyes widen, but I tried to control my expression as I swallowed hard. I knew the house had been put up for rent, obviously. I knew Cam loved the house as much as I did. And I also knew that due to recent changes, Cam would be looking for a new place. But I’m not sure I ever could have really been prepared for the possibility that Cam and I could end up in such close proximity. “That’s good,” I said. I tried not to sound ruffled by it—to stay cool, calm, and steady.

“Does she know you live on the property?” Anne asked pointedly.

I rubbed at the back of my neck. “I don’t know,” I said. “But I’m sure she will soon if she doesn’t already.”

“It’s a shame what happened to her. Poor girl,” Anne said with a sigh. “I hope she’s able to find some happiness. She’s always been a good egg.”

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