Page 6 of What Remains True
“Yeah. But not for work. I rodeo.”
“Well, it’s been nice meeting you.”
Not one single blink or eyebrow raise. That was unusual. She’d already started to walk away. “Hey, I sold the manor house just below you too. A woman named Tara is moving in next week. I think you’ll like her. She’s all fired up and ready to renovate that place.”
“That’s great. It’s a beautiful house.”
“It was my grandfather’s house. It was hard to let it go, but I’ve got an opportunity that requires a lot of cash, and that was the only way I could do it.”
“I’m sure that was a difficult decision.”
“It was, but it’ll be better off in someone’s hands that will take care of it. I’m excited to see what she does with the place.”
“I’ll be sure to introduce myself. Thanks for letting me know.” She took a slow step forward, as if she predicted he might call after her again.
Why am I acting like a smitten teenager?Yeah, she was pretty, but he wasn’t interested. It was perfectly clear she sure wasn’t interested in him either, and that never happened. And that wasn’t sitting well.
“All right, then. Hey, can I give you a lift to the house?” Now he’d done it. An act of desperation. “I mean, it’s a lot hotter this evening than it has been, and you’re on my way. I’d feel bad to just drive on past you.”
She looked apprehensive.
Rather than wait for an answer, he jogged around to the passenger door and opened it for her. “Hop on in. I’ll have you home in no time.”
She sucked in a breath, pushing her hair behind her ear. “Okay, thank you. That’s thoughtful.”
He slammed the door behind her and got in the driver’s seat. He was so anxious to get her home that he didn’t even look before he pulled forward. A driver in a red car laid on his horn, causing Adam to slam on the brakes so hard that Merry Anna bumped her head and was now rubbing it.
“I’m sorry. I swear I’m not usually a reckless driver.” He drove her on home without further incident, except to his ego. “Sorry about the almost wreck. Is your head okay?” Adam asked.
“I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?” He grabbed a penlight from the console. “Look at me.”
“What’s this? Playing doctor?” She dodged the beam of light.
You wish.“No, but I do have a medical degree. If you get a bad headache or start feeling off, give me a call. I can run you to the hospital.”
He scribbled his number on a piece of paper and handed it to her.
“I really don’t think that’s going to be necessary.” But she did take the phone number. She climbed out of the truck and started for the front porch. As he’d been taught, he waited there until the lady got into her house.
But rather than walk up the steps, she veered back around and walked up to his side of the car. He pressed the button to lower the window. “Yes ma’am?”
“Are you really a doctor?”
“No, I do have a sports medicine degree, though. I own the Feed & Seed, and I ride bulls. Rodeo is my life.”
“So you spent all those years studying sports medicine anddon’tpractice medicine.” She cocked her head. “Is that right?”
“Yes. It’s a long story. Maybe one day I’ll tell you all about it.”
“Thanks for the ride. You’re very interesting.”
He dropped the truck into reverse and hauled out of the driveway, feeling better knowing that she wasn’t immune to his charm after all. Not that it mattered. He had one thing on his mind this year, and it was in the shape of a gold belt buckle and the biggest payday of his life.
3
The Spring Fling at AngelsRest had been the talk of the town all week, and finally Saturday was here. Merry Anna helped her boss box up all the miniature quilt tiles they’d painted with the Angels Rest logo on them. Krissy left to take them over to the party as keepsakes for all who attended and to help Matt and Liz set up for the celebration.
