Page 34 of Lone Star Longing
“I’m not upset.”
“Yes, ma’am, your face is red, and your blood pressure is up. I’m going to clean up the kitchen, then I’ll come in there and take your vitals.” Lacey turned to Beck when his mother grudgingly shuffled out of the kitchen. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
He raised his hands in surrender and took a couple of steps back. “No, ma’am, I just came in to get something to drink, if that’s okay with you?”
She sighed, consciously relaxing her shoulders. “Sorry. What are you working on today?”
“Well, the bathroom tile is drying, so I’m thinking once you leave, I’m going to tear up the front porch and put down some new planks.”
“You don't have to wait until I leave. I can use the back door.”
He grunted and opened the refrigerator door, looking at the contents for a moment before selecting a bottle of water.
Mrs. Conover never wanted bottled water. She said her well was just fine though the water often had sediment in it. But since Beck was working so much, he’d stocked up on bottled water, and Lacey had noticed a bottle on the TV tray by Mrs. Conover’s chair when she’d walked through the living room.
“So you’re going to the doctor Wednesday?”
“So you’re eavesdropping on conversations?” she countered, reaching into the grocery bag to pull out the chicken she’d bought to prepare for them.
“Yep,” he said unapologetically.
“Yes. Doctor. Sonogram. They say that’s the best way to discover the due date.”
“You don't have to convince me. I’m all for medical advancements.”
“Have you kept in touch with Austin?” Beck and Austin had been in the same class, after all.
“No, not once I got into the service. You?”
“I got an invitation to his undergrad graduation, but I didn't go. I wish I had, now. He got through it in less than three years.”
“I think he’s pretty determined to prove himself.”
“He shouldn’t have to. People shouldn’t have said what they did about his mom. The accident wasn't her fault.”
“People want to blame someone, and she was the adult on the bus.”
“Sure, but there was nothing she could have done. And I hate that her memory is tainted by that, I hate that Austin has to hear people say that Why can’t they just let it all go?”
He stared at her. “And you’ve lived here how long?”
“Going on fifteen years.”
“You’d think you’d know how to answer your own questions, then.”
She shrugged one shoulder, accepting the logic of that statement.
“I better get back to that porch. Don't forget, use this door when you leave.” And he ducked out through the back door.
*****
LACEY WAS PRETTY EXCITEDabout going into San Angelo, even though she’d told Poppy otherwise. She wanted to see what was new in town, wanted to eat something she hadn’t cooked or something that wasn't served at the diner or the Mexican restaurant. She didn't know where Poppy wanted to go but she was sure she could find something she’d like.
She didn't see Poppy’s car waiting in front of the hardware where they’d agreed to meet. Huh. Poppy was usually the early one.
Instead...was that Beck’s truck?
Even as she realized it, Beck opened the truck door and stepped down. “Hey, you ready?”
