Page 36 of Lone Star Longing
She rolled her eyes and stepped on the side step thing to get into the truck.
For a guy’s truck, especially a guy who traveled all over the place, his truck was surprisingly clean and neat. She couldn’t stop herself from running her hand over the smooth leather seat as he walked around to the other side of the car.
“I drove out to San Angelo a lot when my dad was in rehab for his hip, you know. I could have driven myself.”
“I know. But I figured, and Poppy figured, you’d be nervous enough without having to figure out where you were going.”
Huh. Maybe Poppy hadn’t been the one to bail with her lame excuse. Maybe Beck had wanted Poppy to bail. But why?
She was being silly. Beck didn't like her. Why would he? She was pregnant with another man’s child. Why was she thinking he liked her? He was just being nice.
“This road sure hasn’t changed in ten years,” he said as he guided the big truck on the road out of town.
“Not much has.”
“Sometimes I feel like it’s good, you know, nostalgic, for nothing to change, and sometimes I think man, think about what everyone’s missing, hanging out in the last century.”
“Well, I wouldn't say we’re that far behind.”
“No, I guess not. So do you know what the plans are for the town? I mean, I know you said they built the new elementary with money from the Permian Basin.”
“Yeah, we did. We had hoped more of those families would move here and boost our economy. Everything stopped just on the other side of the interstate. People who can’t really afford to live in the basin were building out that way, but they all stayed in El Dorado county, didn't cross over.”
“I wonder why. That would be something to look into.”
“I guess I never gave it much thought.”
“It would be nice if we could get some of that money, improve the town. Would be good to have a hospital, some more businesses. Something to benefit the town.”
“Well, sure.”
“There should be a plan for that.”
“My dad is on the council, and I know they want that, too.” She turned on the seat to face him, drew one leg up on the seat and rested her head on her hand that she propped on the back of the seat. “I guess I’m surprised you’re thinking about it.”
“Well, I hate to see people having to drive an hour to get to a doctor or hospital. Even when Austin arrives, he’s not going to have access to the best equipment, and my mom isn’t getting any younger. Neither is your dad. No one in town is.”
“No, you’re right about that. But I don't know how we could attract something like that, not without promise of patients. I mean, the basin’s population is booming, but we’re just far enough away that we can’t get people to come here.”
“Maybe there’s a way.”
She didn't know what he was thinking about, because she could see by the crease in his forehead that he was thinking something. “Don't you have enough projects right now?”
“I do. But the good thing about working with my hands like this, it gives my brain some room to wander.”
“Where is it wandering?”
“It wanders a lot of places. Sometimes to California and Riley, wondering how they’re getting along without me.”
“Can’t you check on TV or online or something to see how he’s doing?”
“Yeah, I haven't brought myself to look.”
“Do you want him to do well without you, or not?”
He flashed a grin over at her. “That’s part of why I don't check. I don't want him to be doing badly, because I don't want to feel guilty for leaving him at this point in the season, but I also don't want to be replaceable.”
“I can see that. I wouldn't want to be easily replaceable, either.”
