Page 40 of The Wedding Ranch
“Whatever. I didn’t mention a date or a name.” He looked around. No one was paying them any mind.
“They are really busting their buns to make that happen,” she said. “I’ve never seen them work so hard.”
“They have time for family. If one or two hours will derail that project, then they are already in trouble.” He wasn’t about to let them skip out on this.
“I know, you’re right. You leave them to me,” Diane said. “I’ll handle that, and I’ll tell them all business is off the table.”
“Might be a quiet dinner,” he teased.
She shrugged. “At least we’ll all be together.”
Maggie Mae brought out two lunch specials and placed them in front of Ryder and Diane.
“This looks so good.” Diane placed a paper napkin in her lap. “I’m so far behind at work from being at the fair last week. This was really nice timing, Ryder.”
She grabbed his hand and they said a quick prayer beforedigging into the smoked barbecue plate, tomato pie, slaw, and skillet cornbread.
Ryder took a bite, but his stomach was busy doing somersaults. He hated to keep a secret from Diane. It was just a phone number, but those digits would spiral her into giving endless advice that he wasn’t ready to hear. He didn’t want to get Diane’s hopes up since all he knew was that he’d enjoyed spending time with Lorri and wouldn’t mind doing it again. But they’d also both said it was just as friends. People never think a man and woman can be friends. Other people anyway, not him.
“I have something to tell you,” Ryder finally blurted out. He’d never lied to her and he wasn’t about to start now. Lying by omission was still a lie after all.
“Oh no.” She put her fork down. “I knew it. There’s more to this than lunch. What’s wrong?”
“No. It’s not bad. Well, kind of. No, it’s not that kind of bad.”
“What?”
“Remember the woman who got about rolled over by that steer on the first day of the fair?”
“I was there, remember? I told Mrs. Helms that Billy Ray was not ready to show that steer. He barely worked with him. Little brat. He thinks his parents can buy him into first place with a good steer and not put in the work.” Diane had strong opinions. They ran hot like that in the Bolt family.
“Diane, I’m sure you’re right, but sometimes that stuff just happens. They are animals after all.”
“I saw that one coming. Is she okay?”
“She was when she left,” he said. “Haven’t heard anything else about it.”
“Thank goodness.”
“I spent the better part of the afternoon with her. I mean, you know, just to be sure she was okay to drive after that knot on her head. She might’ve fared better if I hadn’t tackled her out of the way.”
“I doubt it. That steer outweighs you by several hundred pounds.” She took another bite and lasered a look at him. “She brings her dog in. She’s really nice.”
He sucked in a breath. “Yeah. Very nice. We built birdhouses. Had some laughs. She’s friends with Tinsley’s family, that has to say something. I mean, she’s from the city, but she seems…”
Diane put her fork down. Swallowing dramatically, her teeth showed as she grinned. “You came to get her phone number, didn’t you?” She pounded her fists on the table. “I love it.”
“Did Ruby tell you?”
Her mouth dropped open. “Ruby gave it to you?”
Ruby hadn’t told her. He stepped right into that one.“Not without some arm-twisting. All I know is she lives in Mill Creek Highlands, and has a dog named Mister.”
“And now you have her phone number. Well, good for you, little brother.” Diane raised her hand up in a high five.
“Put your hand down. People are looking. It’s not like that.”
She lowered her hand to pat his cheek. “Well, maybe it could be. Lighten up. Ryder, you’re too young to live your life alone.”
