“So, what does this mean for you and this woman? Are you?—”
I cut him off before he could suggest something I didn’t want him to. “Friends. I think we’re becoming friends.”
“You’re friends with a woman you slept with. That’s new for you.”
“A lot of this is, but it can’t be a bad thing to be friends with the person I’m sharing a child with.”
“I don’t disagree,” he replied, taking a sip of his drink. “A lot of things are changing here.”
“Are you still gonna keep me around?”
Clyde rolled his eyes. “You’re smart enough for electrical, but you’re still dumb as hell sometimes. Yeah, I’m keeping you around. I may not really know how to help you out because I never had kids of my own, but I can still be here. You need a friend, don’t you?”
“Oh, thank God.”
He reached across the table and patted me on the shoulder. “Everything’s gonna be fine. Now eat. I’m worried you forgot to take care of yourself while out in the middle of nowhere.”
I huffed out a laugh. “It’s not the city, I’ll saythat much.”
“So, why are you staying there?”
“I need to get to know Grace, and pregnancy can be a little scary.”
Clyde slowly nodded, and I wondered what he was thinking. “So, the mom’s name is Grace? Got it. You got work out there?”
“For now, yeah.”
“A good place to stay?”
The hotel was basic, but it wasn’t great. I dreaded going back there, but I would make it work.
“Yep.”
“Then call me if you need me. I have a few things out here, and it sounds like that’s not too out of the way for you.” He eyed me again. “I was serious about eating. I’ve got a long day of work still and I’mstarving.”
19
GRACE
Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch
SherriffMike Finch:I was just coming back into town and got into traffic in the middle of nowhere! What the hell is going on?
Comments:
Kerry Winsor:Shouldn’t you know?
SherriffMike Finch:What, you think because I have a badge I can see everything?
Marjorie Brown:I cursed the town after getting these witch books. I told Jade it was a bad idea to order them.
Jade Clark:No regrets.
Mollie Wilson:I’m sorry! It was me! Some of the cows got out and we had to herd them in.
Marjorie Brown:Hey, Mike, would you say you were stuck in traffic until the cows came home?
SherriffMike Finch:I fucking hate this group.