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“Take me home.” I spoke in a monotone, then sniffed. Home…do I even have one?
****
Refusing to meet Cody’s eyes, I stared out the window during the short drive, watching as the vineyard came into view.
Luke was in the fields, pruning the staked vines.
When the car turned onto the drive, he dropped his shears, straightened his spine, and started back toward the cabin.
At the door, Cody cut the engine. “Can I see you again?”
“That’s a bad idea.”`
“Then I’ll call. Maybe we—”
“No.” I shook my head.
“Can I write?”
“I don’t know. Can you?” Struggling to lighten the moment, I gave a wry laugh. But the significance of the conversation sobered me. “That’s the reason you gave for showing up this morning. You thought you could explain better in person.”
“Just let me write.” His Adam’s apple bobbing, he swallowed hard. “I don’t want to lose touch.”
“Isn’t it a little late for that?” You didn’t want me before. Now you do. Decide already.
Luke crossed the caliche drive, scowling as he approached.
“Take care, Cody.” Avoiding a confrontation, I hopped out of the car.
“I’ll write—”
“Don’t.” I slammed the door and waved.
As Luke joined me, Cody revved the engine and pulled away in a haze of dust.
“Your ‘friend’ seems in a hurry.” A vein pulsed at Luke’s neck as he eyed me. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah.” I had trouble meeting his gaze. “I’m fine.”
“Then why are you trembling?”
I looked at my shaking hands. “Just chilly, I guess.” Chafing my arms, I started for the cabin. “Let me get a jacket. I’ll be right back.”
“Just a minute.” He caught me by my shoulders and spun me toward him. “What’s Cody to you?”
I grimaced, both at the memories and the turns of events. “Until a few months ago, he was my fiancé.”
“And now?” His grip hardened.
“Nothing but an old friend.”
His hands dropped from my shoulders and hung limply at his sides. “You sure?”
****
Three weeks later, the attorney called.
Luke turned toward me as he hung up. “Bea’s requested a settlement conference.”
