The Rancher's Redemption

Just as she was explaining to Roman for the twentieth time that Doofus didn’t need to brush his teeth, the doorbell rang, and she went down to let Yvonne in.

“Aunty Von!” Roman rushed over to hug Yvonne. “Cake? Please?”

“Of course.” Yvonne bent to return the hug and patted his cheek. “If it’s okay with your mom.”

“Sure, but if you have something sweet, Ro, you have to promise that you’ll brush your teeth really well, okay?”

“I’ll make sure he does.” Yvonne put a pink box on the countertop and studied Lizzie. “You look great!”

“Thanks.” Lizzie patted her hair, which she’d left down “I wasn’t sure what to wear because it’s not like we’re going on a date or anything. I didn’t want to go too fancy, and I don’t have anything like that anyway, so—”

Lizzie ran out of breath at about the same time that Yvonne politely interrupted her.

“You really do look nice.”

Lizzie glanced ruefully down at her jeans. “I look the same as ever. I wish I was good at doing my hair and putting on makeup, but I suck at it.”

“You don’t really need it,” Yvonne said. “You have very distinct coloring.”

“I have wishy-washy red hair, blue eyes, and pale skin that doesn’t tan, ever,” Lizzie said firmly. “And that’s okay. I was too nervous to even attempt anything special tonight.”

“I could do your makeup for you,” Yvonne suggested. “I have a really steady hand.”

Lizzie glanced down at Roman who had gone back to his Legos. “How long will it take? I have to be there at six.”

“Five minutes at most, and who wants to be on time?” Yvonne encouraged her. “The light’s better in here. Get your stuff, and I’ll make you even more beautiful, and Adam will be struck dumb.”

“I’m trying to encourage him to talk more, so that’s not really the effect I’m going for,” Lizzie muttered as she fetched her pathetic makeup bag and put it on the table in front of Yvonne. “My mom bought me all this stuff. I have no idea if it suits me or not.”

Yvonne was already busy going through the bag and didn’t comment except to point to the chair.

“Sit down and close your eyes.”

Lizzie did what she was told and patiently endured the dabbing and patting while Yvonne murmured to herself in French as she worked.

“Voilà!”

Lizzie cautiously opened her eyes and stared into the mirror Yvonne helpfully put in front of her face.

“I still look like me, only better.”

“Bon.” Yvonne nodded as she packed away the cosmetics. “Now, off you go and have fun!”

Lizzie paused at the door, her gaze on Roman who appeared supremely happy to be left with Yvonne. “I’ll text you if I’m going to be later than nine-thirty. I know you like to get to bed early.”

“If I feel at all sleepy, I’ll let you know.” Yvonne blew her a kiss. “Have fun.”

Lizzie went down the stairs and out into the warm night air. She hadn’t bothered with a coat because her commute was barely five minutes. Ted Baker, Sr., was working in the gas station while his son had dinner. He still lived over the old shop and would help close the place up around nine.

Lizzie noticed that the Lexus pulling out of the gas station was the same color as the one that had been parked outside Coretta’s house. She wondered if whomever it belonged to had been out with the old lady for the day and was just filling up before leaving town. She walked farther along Main Street until she reached the corner where it intersected with Morgan, and went into the Red Dragon, which was full of locals enjoying the start of the weekend.

She smiled at Nancy who worked behind the bar.

“Hey, are the Millers here yet?”

Nancy pointed behind her. “They’re already seated. Third booth down on the right beside the window.”

“Thanks.”

As she approached the booth, Lizzie’s steps slowed and a knot of uncertainty unfurled low in her stomach. Adam slid out of his seat and stood looking down at her, his face inscrutable. Why the heck had he asked her to come if he was going to stare at her like that? For a second, Lizzie considered bolting back to the safety of her apartment.