Page 36 of Loving Carter

Good. Go with the safe bet.

When the door opens again, and a couple of women enter, Carter drops a twenty on the counter and heads for the door.

“I’ll text you later,” he tells me, then leaves.

Once he’s gone, Janie looks at me. She’s obviously upset, although I have no idea why.

“Did I do something wrong? Is he mad?”

Worried she’s about to cry, I hurry to assure her. “No, not at all. He’s just busy. You did nothing that would make him mad.”

“He normally stays for a long time talking to you,” she points out. “Today he left as soon as he was done.”

Janie’s not wrong. Normally, Carter stays for quite a while, chatting. But considering what has happened, I think his new approach is best.

“He’s busy,” I tell her again. “New guests are arriving at the ranch soon.”

I have no idea if that’s true or not, but it sounds good. More importantly, it seems to make Janie feel better. She smiles and then heads off to help the women.

I head to the back. I’m not good at walking on eggshells, and this morning has seemed very fragile. Maybe getting together with Carter and Rachel this evening is a bad idea. It might make things worse.

Of course, it also might make things better. Truthfully, I have absolutely no idea what’s the best thing to do.

“What do you think?” I ask the dog cake. Predictably, it has no opinion. Figures.

***

WHEN MY DOORBELL RINGSexactly at seven o’clock, I realize Gabe is precisely on time. The dogs go nuts, but I get them to quiet down with a little work.

“Hi,” I say, opening the door. He’s dressed in a casual blue polo shirt and khakis. Although I don’t feel any attraction to him, I will admit he’s very good-looking.

“So we’re meeting Carter and someone else at the venue I hear,” he says.

I nod. “Yes. Her name is Rachel. She’s an accountant, and I talked her into going out with Carter.”

That’s true. Sort of. I didn’t have to do any convincing. She readily agreed to the plan.

I introduce Gabe to my dogs, then grab my purse. Since it’s important we listen to the band, I don’t want to be late.

Gabe drives a luxury SUV. Once I’m inside, I look around. My car is about five years old, and even new, it wasn’t expensive. I bought it used two years ago, and it’s nothing like this car. In fact, other than the ability to move, the vehicles have nothing in common.

“This is a great car,” I say once Gabe is settled in his seat.

“I like it,” he says, then he starts it. Because its electric, it makes no noise.

Fancy.

I have to admit, the seat is so comfy that I’m sure to fall asleep if I don’t watch myself. I can see it now, me sleeping and drooling on his expensive leather seat. Impressive, right?

“So what do you like about this band?” I ask, partly to avoid the whole sleeping/drooling situation.

“Fine Texas Evening plays modern country songs, which I think will work well with your audience. It’s country, which will make a certain percentage of your customers happy, but the songs also have a modern flair, which the rest should like.”

I nod slowly as if I understand, but I don’t really. I don’t listen to country music, so I’m not sure what modern country sounds like. Still, I’m all for compromise, and this band has that.

“I like their name,” I say. “It catches your attention.”

“I’m pretty sure you’ll also like the band,” he says.

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