Cassie came to stand next to me as I watched Rilla climb into an older model sedan and pull slowly onto the highway.
“Do you know her?”
I shrugged. “No, not until today. I was thinking it was sort of weird I’ve never met her, if she lives this close. I know where the Grant farm is. Why, do you know her?”
“Yeah. Well, I know who she is. My brother dated a girl from her church, and I went with him to one of their youth group meetings. She was there, too.”
“She’s older than you. Said she graduated from college. You didn’t know her in school?”
“She didn’t go to Burton. I think she went to the private elementary school at their church, and then she was homeschooled for high school. I only remember her from the youth group deal because she was assisting the youth pastor. Someone told me they were like, together, but they don’t really date. No hand holding, no kissing, no nothing, until they get married. I remember thinking that was just crazy.”
I raised one eyebrow in her direction. “I don’t know, Cass. Might not be such a bad idea. Hmm, wonder if I could get Bridget to buy into that before she’s old enough to date.”
Cassie hooted with laughter. “Good luck with that.”
The rest of the afternoon was steadily busy. We didn’t have more then a few minutes between customers, keeping both Cassie and me occupied with answering questions, ringing up sales and restocking the tables and shelves. The entire time, my mind kept darting back to Flynn and Alex. I mentally debated texting Alex, changing my mind on his invitation for tonight, but then I worried Flynn would think I was tagging along like a lovesick idiot. I couldn’t do that. I wasn’t ready to take any risks when it came to him, no matter what Alex had said.
On the other hand, the idea of sitting home tonight, with a front-row seat to the Sam and Meghan show didn’t sound like much fun either. They hardly ever went out, preferring to spend their time together having quiet dinners and evenings on the porch. A DVD night every once in a while. Come to think of it, those two could use some shaking up, too. A little excitement wouldn’t hurt anyone.
I got home just as Meghan was putting a roast chicken on the table. Sam was already sitting down, and they both had that smiley glow that told me they hadn’t spent the afternoon playing pinochle. Excellent. I needed them to be in a good mood.
“Come in early from the fields today, brother dear?” I gave him a wide smile over my shoulder as I washed my hands.
“Might have. I worked hard all week to get a little ahead. I could afford to take a little time off.”
“Wonderful. And how about you, Meghan? Did you have a nice, quiet afternoon of painting after Bridge left?”
She put a bowl of potatoes on the table and shimmied around a chair with a little shriek as Sam reached out to pat her ass. “Behave yourself, you! Yes, I did, actually. I had four hours of peaceful sketching and painting before your wicked brother came home.”
“Good, good. I, on the other hand, spent all day at the very busy stand, selling and stocking and schmoozing. And keeping Cassie from making a fool of herself over any man over fifteen and under fifty who came in. And more selling. And more stocking. All. Day. Long.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Ali.” Guilt covered Meghan’s face. Awesome. I could work with guilt. “I could’ve run over to help you.”
Sam, having more experience with my ways as well as a good healthy dose of suspicion when it came my motives, was not as easily moved. “You had Cassie there. She’s a hard worker. Besides, you love when the stand’s busy.”
Hmmm, he had me there.“True, but I’m just saying. You two’ve had a relaxing day, while I worked my ass off. Don’t you want to do something nice for me?”
“Meghan made you this beautiful dinner, which is getting cold while you whine.” Giving me a hard look, he closed his eyes, bowed his head and said the blessing before I could get another word in.
But I wasn’t that easily put off. I served myself some green beans and continued as though I’d not been interrupted. “So I was thinking, wouldn’t it be fun for the three of us to go out tonight? Do something fun?”
Sam sighed, but Meghan’s face brightened before she could stop it. “What were you thinking, Ali? Like a movie or something? Over to the diner for ice cream?”
“I kind of thought maybe The Road Block. Music, dancing, some lovely adult beverages . . .” I smiled at her and kept my eyes pointedly off my brother. “We haven’t gone dancing in ages.”
“The last time you two went out together, it didn’t end well.” Sam pointed his fork at me.
“Clearly we don’t have the same memory. AsIremember it, Meghan and I had a blast, and after we got home, you finally gave in to your baser instincts and made out with Meghan on the porch.”
Sam flushed, and Meghan’s eyes grew wide as they flicked from my brother to me. Maybe that was information that had been meant to stay between us girls. Oh, well, all was fair in love and dancing.
“Anyway, that doesn’t matter. You come with us tonight and make sure we behave. It’d do you good to get out a little with people who don’t only talk soil and motor whatchamacallits and crops.”
He groaned. “Ali, I hate all the noise and the crowds. Bunch of drunk cowboys just looking for a skirt to nail.”
“Please . . .” I gave him my best little-sister eye bat. “I really need it, Sam. And Meghan wants to go, too. Don’t you?”
Meghan looked a little a deer in headlights. “I, um, oh Ali, don’t put me in this position.” She laid down her fork. “Yes, Sam, I’d enjoy the dancing.” She leaned a little closer. “I’d particularly enjoy the dancing withyou.But if you really don’t want to go.”
