Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
A dam suspected Tracy had never told anyone what she’d just confessed to him. The implications gave him pause.
Would have been nice if her confession had scared him off, but it seemed nothing was going to cool him down. She’d lit one hell of a fire on New Year’s Eve.
Would she resume the discussion once they sat across from each other at the Raccoon? He’d let her choose.
After they’d ordered, she settled back in her chair. “Tell me what’s going on with this tunnel in the bookshop. Sounds like a great idea.”
Sounded like she wanted to table the subject of their relationship for now. Good. Gave him a chance to gather his thoughts. “Jodi’s the one who made me think of it.”
“Who’s Jodi?”
“Kendall’s two-year-old. Normally she brings her along but not this time.”
“A two-year-old? With all that power equipment and cords everywhere?”
“It’s something to see. Kendall marks out an area that’s hers and gives her a task. Mostly it’s hammering nails into pieces of wood, but she’s also learning to mark things with a tape measure.”
“She uses a real hammer and nails?”
“Yep. Kieran drills a series of shallow holes to get her started and then she goes to town pounding those nails in. She understands that she has her job and her mom, aunt and uncle have theirs.”
“Remarkable. I love nerdy kids. I was one. Let me know next time they bring her.”
“I will. She’s a hit with Mom, Grandma and the aunties. They’ll be disappointed she isn’t with them.”
“I didn’t realize they stay out at the ranch when they come for a few days.”
“We could put them up at the hotel, but why? Greta’s the only one still living in the main house so there’s room and they’re great guests. They pitch in fixing meals and they even wash and dry their sheets before they leave.”
“Nice. And on top of all that, they’ll be customers after they’ve finished this project. You tapped into a goldmine.”
“I did. All because M.R. Morrison turned out to be a woman living within driving distance of Mustang Valley.”
“I can’t believe I missed seeing Desiree when she came over last month. So how does the brainy two-year-old figure in the tunnel plan?”
“Kendall and Angie create her space by hanging a king-sized sheet over a couple of sawhorses, and she loves crawling in and out of there. Made me remember how much I loved tunnels and tents as a kid.”
“Most of us did. How would you do it?”
As he described the concept, she got into it and offered several suggestions, including a lighting system so it wouldn’t be too dark and scary. The tunnel project occupied them all the way through lunch.
Meanwhile he was multi-tasking. Her reference to being a nerdy kid had sparked another idea that had nothing to do with tunnels. Should he tell her about it? Not yet. Maybe not ever. It was risky.
The bill arrived and they split the check, staying true to tradition. They’d always taken care to avoid acting like a couple. Brainstorming about the tunnel continued as they left the Raccoon and walked to her truck.
Today’s encounter had been enlightening but it was almost over. Once she drove him back to the house, they wouldn’t be together again until their horseback ride tomorrow. He didn’t want to go that long without seeing her.
The return trip to the Victorian was short, and by the end of it he still didn’t know how to keep her in his sights. Then Angie’s truck in the parking area inspired him.
“Listen, if you’re not busy tonight, how about coming out for dinner? You can get to know those three better and Mom would love it.”
“Sounds like fun, but I’m not wild about driving back to town at night in the winter. That one time I broke down and couldn’t get cell service spooked me.”
“I wasn’t thinking you’d drive back tonight. I’ll bet your mom and dad would enjoy having you stay with them. In fact, they should come to dinner, too.”
“That’s three extra people.” She pulled into the circular drive behind his truck. “On top of the three members of Angie’s crew.”
“Have you met the Bridger Bunch? Has that ever been?—”
“Okay, okay, you’re right. I’d love that and so would my folks. They’ve been asking me to come for an overnight. That’s assuming they’re not on the road with the mobile unit this weekend. I’ve lost track.”
“Don’t you have their schedule on your phone? I thought you always?—”
“I do. I did, but I haven’t checked recently.”
“Trace.”
She let out a sigh. “I hate to say it, but I’ve been avoiding them, too. My mom can see right through me. I was afraid she’d be able to tell something’s wrong.”
“But you go out there to ride, so didn’t you see?—”
“Briefly, but I‘ve avoided long chats with her. On the weekends when they’re on the road with the mobile unit, only Dutch is there. He did comment once that I always seemed to come when they were gone.”
“I’ll bet your mom’s picked up on that and is looking for a time when she can ask you about it.”
“You’re probably right. I really effed things up for everybody, didn’t I?”
“ We effed things up. And I promise we’ll find a way to fix it.”
She gazed at him. “Everything I read says I’m the one who needs fixing. I have to work on myself because obviously something’s not right. I’ve had four serious relationships and they all imploded.”
“I’m assuming in the other three you were the imploder.”
“I was.”
“Just curious. Did you pick them or did they pick you?”
“I picked them. Didn’t want to leave that to chance.”
He managed not to smile. Yep. That sounded like Tracy. “How did you make the choice?”
“Close observation so I could guarantee they were nice guys before we ever did the deed. They were all terrific. Smart, considerate, clean.”
“ Clean ?” He snorted.
“Well, duh! I was on a second date with someone who ticked all the boxes. His place was slightly messy but not too bad. Then I gave him the final test and asked to use his bathroom. The bottom of his tub was black . Well, except for a few places that were greenish. I swear he could have had a science experiment going on in there.”
“Was he a science nerd? Maybe he?—”
“Economics major.”
“I take it he didn’t make the cut.”
“I was outta that apartment so fast. Fortunately I’d driven myself over.”
“Smart.” Somehow he kept from laughing. Her methodical approach to finding the right guy was hysterical. And so nerdy. She wouldn’t appreciate him telling her that.
“Oh, I’ve been smart about it, but the fact remains that nothing’s worked out.” She glanced at the clock on her dash. “Yikes. I have a client in fifteen minutes.”
“Right.” He unsnapped his seatbelt. “Thanks for the ride and all the suggestions. I’ll relay them to the crew. Are we on for tonight?”
“Sure. I’ll let you know if Mom and Dad can come, but either way, I’ll stay overnight at their place. What time’s dinner?
“Around six, as usual.”
“I’ll bring something.”
He started to protest.
“Yes, I will. I haven’t been over since Christmas so I’m not showing up for a meal empty-handed.”
“Alrighty.” He opened his door and took one last look. “Thanks for trusting me.”
“I always have. It’s me I don’t trust.”
“Well, you should. You know more than you think you do.”
She made a face.
His heart constricted. “See you soon.” He said it softly, more intimately than he’d meant to.
Her eyes darkened and she gulped. Quickly turning away, she sucked in a breath. “’Bye.”
“’Bye.” He closed the door and backed away.
She stepped on the gas and drove around him too fast, coming within an inch of his truck. No doubt about it. She was fleeing.
He got it. She was used to being in control of a sexual situation. She’d constructed a set of self-imposed rules. Then she’d broken them all and she was scared to death.