Page 17 of Long Hard Fall

He was up to something. She’d suspected the harvest excuse was just to get out of talking about Perry. Cash had looked like he was ready to keel over at the idea of her accompanying him to work. But now…

“Well, now, I’m sure you’d love to ride in the combine, but it can be a long and boring afternoon. If you really want to come with, you can drive truck.”

“What truck? Your pickup?” Would riding in his pickup jog more memories of their night together? She was getting snippets, but not fine details. The memories were full of naked skin and pleasure, but she couldn’t recall exactly how he’d tasted, how hot his kisses had been. She remembered laughing and enjoying herself, but what had they talked about?

“The grain truck.”

Oh, to drive alongside the combine to be filled. Her dad used to talk about driving the grain truck to haul the harvest to the silos. “Don’t I need a special license?”

He frowned. “I don’t know. You gonna crash it?”

“I might if you keep refusing to talk to me.”

A heavy sigh escaped him. “I don’t have anything to talk with you about, Abbi. I don’t know what you’re looking for.”

She tilted her head and considered him. His tone was so serious, so…withdrawn. No, she believed there was something he didn’t want to discuss. Was it selfish of her to think it was something he needed to talk about?

Maybe if she appeased his panic, he’d open up. “I understand that it’s not a subject you’re jumping up and down about. I get it. But I took vacation and I’m here. Can I come with you and you can at least share some stories about him?”

This deer in the headlights looked even more ready to bolt. The deer analogy made her think of his horse.

“How’s Patsy Cline?”

“Recovering.” For the first time since she asked about going with him, he seemed to inhale fully. “She struggles with bouts of colic. Her old owner sold her for dirt cheap ’cause he was tired of dealin’ with it. She’s the best purchase I’ve ever made.”

Abbi smiled at his dedication to a creature no one wanted. “Good.”

He gave all he had to his horse. Did he offer the same to his women?

She was stricken with indecision. How long was she going to chase after Cash and nag him about Perry? Maybe she should come back another time.

Her hopes fell further.

Should she go home? Should she even bother talking with Dillon Walker? It was one thing to have the nerve to drive up to a strange man’s place, asking about her brother. But would she have been as persistent with Cash if she hadn’t jumped into bed with him first?

Would Dillon be as hospitable to a stranger, or would he run her off?

Maybe she could just ask. “Does Dillon know I’ve come by?”

Cash’s features returned to serious. “Yes, I’ve talked with him.”

“Oh, okay.” She was learning what crestfallen felt like. How dismal returning to Green Bay and her job was becoming. She’d have to move out of Ellis’s place—if he hadn’t already organized, labeled, and packed her stuff.

The room closed in on her. What was she doing here? It was a lost cause. A fool’s errand because she missed her brother. Ellis was right. It had been impulsive. She’d been impulsive and she was intruding on a family and their work.

“I’ll gather my things. I’m really sorry, Cash. I shouldn’t have bothered you. I can see…” She was going to start bawling if she kept explaining herself. She darted to the kitchen instead to gather her tote, which held her car keys and wallet. Cash could keep the rest. He’d been more than generous.

He was right behind her; she jumped when he spoke.

“Where are you going to go?”

Home was on the tip of her tongue, but no. “The Twin Cities aren’t far away. They have a free zoo. Maybe I could go to the Mall of America.” And shop with what money?

“Sounds nice.” Cash shoved his hands in his pockets, took one out and adjusted his hat, shoved it back in his pocket.

She draped the bag’s straps over her shoulder, but he was standing between her and the kitchen door. If he didn’t move, she’d plow him over to leave before the tears fell.

“Look, you’re already here,” he said. “Why don’t you just ride out with me to take over the combine.”

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