Chapter 34

Linh and Grady sat on a fallen log whose bark had decayed, leaving the bare wood exposed. “This is not what I planned for the day, but thank you for rolling with it,” Grady said. “I was going to take you horseback riding this afternoon, after Randy and Darla disappeared for some alone time.”

“You meant to give them time to screw like bunnies,” Linh said.

“Maybe,” Grady shrugged. “I think they’re feeling the pressure of time passing and decisions to be made. There can always be time for a little whoop-di-do, but as the maestro warbled, ‘the times, they are a-changing.’”

“You really do think about your friends and their lives. That’s nice,” Linh said. “Did you think about me this week?”

Grady bent his head and looked up at her. “I think I drove a few folks crazy as I paced the floor, the yard, the barn, the field and everything else waiting for the time to pass. When Mr. Witt showed up and shot my gate, my first thought was ‘There is no goddamn way this man is going to screw up my date with Linh; that will not happen.’ Then Randy and Darla rammed his Jeep, and I knew my prayers had been answered.”

“I’m the answers to your prayers, huh?” Linh said with a sardonic smile. “How do you know I’m not a nightmare in disguise?”

“Please don’t tease me,” Grady said. “I’m trying hard to fill my world with friends who will be around for a long, long time. I’ve got all these projects and business to attend to, which should be exciting. If I don’t have friends to share it with, then Grady is going to be one sad, lonely puppy.”

“I like puppies,” Linh said, jabbing him in the ribs with her elbow. “Don’t worry, Grady, we’re friends. When I dreamed of returning to Clinton, you were always one of the first people that I wanted to see. Now that I’m back, you didn’t disappoint.”

Grady took her hand and squeezed it. The wind had the smell of early spring, a promise of things to come. The purple heather was everywhere. He heard an unfamiliar bird twitter behind him.

“What’s the deal with Claire?” Linh asked.

Grady sighed. “Everyone asks that question. Jedidiah had Martha all those years as a business manager. He retired because of age, and she went to live with her children. Now, I have all these businesses, and there are attorneys and accountants and payables and cash flows and employees to manage. I needed someone who knows what the hell they’re doing. Claire is awkward as a human being, but she knows her stuff. The ranch is a good fit for her between needing a job and being uncomfortable. For example, she needs clothes. She would grab the first hanger off the rack at Goodwill and call it a day. We’re both working our butts off.”

“Can I help?”

“Would you take her shopping? She needs basic stuff like shirts and jeans,” Grady said.

“Why should I do this favor for you?”

Grady tched. “Because helping Claire gives you another good reason to come out to the ranch, Linh. I know you’re angry about being sent away for two years, but I feel cheated too. We never got that awkward High School first date.”

“We stuffed ourselves silly at Rollie Jenkins’ BBQ instead, Grady. The truth – so much better than a movie and hanging out at the Vomit Comet afterwards. We were ourselves. If you asked me why I liked that evening with you, the one word that repeats itself is genuine. I was me and not a public face and you were you too. When Mr. Jenkins told you Jedidiah had an account there, you went from pale white to bright red with embarrassment in two snaps of a finger. We laughed.”