“Rubi Russo. ” Her smooth voice came over the line. “Give it to me. ”
Beep.
“Hey, baby,” Wes said. “Would really love to hear your voice—even if you’re still pissed. This has been the longest three days of my life. ” He unlocked the truck and pulled the door open. “Wyatt’s making amazing progress. He’s working with the rig three times a day and gaining strength faster than he did during the recovery of his first surgery. Doctors are impressed. His surgeon wants to talk with you about your programming. They have a big spine center here, do a lot of surgery. ”
He laid a hand on the steering wheel and looked out into the growing darkness with a hole opening inside him. “Anyway…” He paused, not sure how much to say or not say. “I miss you. Keep finding myself looking around to share something…” He stopped himself from getting too sappy. “Okay. ” He had to bite his tongue from signing off with I love you. “Talk later. ”
He disconnected and climbed into the truck. After he’d turned onto the highway toward home, he dialed the house.
“Hello. ”
“Hey, Grams, it’s Wes. ”
“Hello, Wesley. How’s the weather in California, sweetie?”
A tired smile lifted his mouth. “I’m not in California, Grams. I’m on my way to Mom’s house. I’ll see you in about an hour. Do you or Claudia need anything from town while I’m out?”
“Oh, I don’t think so. Did Missy bring you the Special K bars? I added melted chocolate on top, just the way you love them. ”
Wes rubbed his eyes. When Whitney told him that Grams was deteriorating, she wasn’t kidding. Within an hour of talking to his grandmother, Wes had learned the quickest and most painful way to avoid a long-drawn-out, frustrating conversation—which she always won—was to agree with her. “Yep. Sure did. Thanks, Grams. Can I talk to Claudia for a minute?”
What a long freaking day, he thought, waiting for Claudia.
“Hey, Wes. ”
“Hey. I’m on my way back, just wanted to know if you need anything in town? Grams says no, but…”
Claudia chuckled. “This time she’s right. ”
“All right, then. See you soon. ”
“Wes?” Claudia said as he pulled the phone from his ear.
“Yeah, still here. ”
“Did Rubi find you?”
A split second of utter confusion hit him. Claudia should not know Rubi’s name. No one but Whitney should know Rubi’s name. Then his heart took a hard punch and dropped to his stomach. He braked and pulled over to the side of the road. He was suddenly breathing hard. “What do you mean find me? Did she call?”
“No, she came by. It took me a minute to figure out how she knew you, but then I recognized her California accent, that flashy car, all dressed up. She’s a beauty. Seems real nice. ”
“Claudia…” Fuck he really couldn’t breathe now. “Just to be clear, you’re saying that Rubi came to Mom’s house looking for me. Like…in person. ”
“Well, how else could she come? But it doesn’t sound like she found you. I sent her to the VA Medical Center. If you’re just leaving town now, I can’t imagine she missed you. ”
Wes shoved the truck into Park, leaned forward, and pressed his forehead on the steering wheel. With his eyes squeezed tight and a ball of fire in his stomach, he asked, “What…kind of car was she driving?”
Before he heard the answer, he knew.
“Fancy white sports car. A BMW. ” She pronounced the W as “double-ya. ”
“Did she say where else she might go?” Wes asked, his forehead suddenly damp.
“Nope. Thought for sure she would have found you. ”
“I think…I think she did. Thanks, Claudia. I might be later than I thought. ”
“That’s fine, boy. No rush. ”