Page 63 of Grown-Up Second Chance

“I did, but what kind of job is that?”

“I was a rancher,” Kathleen said.

He stared at her for a few moments, then said, “Oh. I get it. You were trying to make a joke.”

She shook her head. “Just telling it like it is.”

“Ha! Ha!” he said loudly.

Liz tried to cover her laugh with her hand, but bubbles of the sound escaped and tickled me like the effects of champagne. Joe shook his head.

“Now you ladies, be neighborly,” Joe said. “What is it you do, Stuart?”

“I used to own a small company in the valley—Silicon Valley. We had some cutting edge AI technology, but I sold it to Google a while ago. Now I’m touring the country, trying to come up with ideas for my next start-up.” He pointed to his rig. “Got myself a Living Vehicle Pro with all the upgrades. Even got a dishwasher. How’s that, ladies?” Stuart beamed with achievement. All was good until he added, “I’m not sure you know what AI is … it’s a revolutionary new technology: artificial intelligence. It’s going to change the world.”

Kathleen gave him a sweet smile, then rose. “I’m a rancher, Mr. Reeves. Not stupid.” She took his arm. “I trust you can find your way back to your Living Vehicle Pro. It’s not very far.” She gave him a little nudge in the right direction.

He glanced over his shoulder with a frown, then stalked off.

“What is it about that site?” Kathleen asked. “It seems to attract hopelessly uneducated men.” She sat down and picked up her cosmo.

After a few moments of dissecting the annoying Stuart Reeves, Joe touched my arm. “I need to get back to my trailer. Would you walk with me for a bit?”

Kathleen had her eagle eye on us. “Don’t let us stop you,” she said.

I got up to go with Joe, but as we left, I looked back and stuck my tongue out at her. Immature, I know, but she was getting on my nerves!

Joe waited until we were out of Kathleen’s direct line of sight before he stopped. “She can be a bit much, can’t she?” he said with a grin.

“You don’t have to tell me. I live with her.” I was scowling until I looked up and saw the twinkle in his eye. Then I grinned. I couldn’t help it. No matter how I was feeling, being with Joe made me happy.

“We do need to talk,” he said.

“No, we don’t,” I protested, even though I knew he was right.

But I wasn’t ready to explore whatever he had in mind.

“I’m leaving soon,” he said. “And I’m not going without this resolved. You know I’m right.”

“Can’t we simply be friends?”

“I do believe that ship has sailed, as they say.”

“But maybe it’s gone in the wrong direction,” I suggested.

“All the more reason for us to talk. Let’s spend a day together—tomorrow maybe? Let’s go into the park. We can have dinner at the Yellowstone Lodge. Then we can talk, far away from your sisters. My treat. Okay?”

I still hesitated. But this was Joe. We’d always been honest with each other, even as kids.

“Okay,” I said. “Day after tomorrow. I’ve got a client call tomorrow.”

“Sounds good.” He looked around, then gave me a quick kiss. “Good night, Di.”

“Good night.”

Warmth flooded through me as he walked away. I’d always liked Joe.

But where was that damn ship headed?

---