“Do they have Reuben dogs?”
“Yep,” he answered.
“How soon can we leave?”
“My things are all packed,” he told her. “We’ve already taken pictures by the big bunny.”
“When we break up, will Mary Jane throw the one of me and you away?” she asked.
“I doubt it. She keeps all photos forever and ever.”
Chapter 9
Knox made a hard right turn and stopped the truck at a locked gate. Beyond it was a cattle guard and pastureland. Roman Wilcot must have deliberately left a few trees here, there, and yonder to provide shade for his cattle during the hot summer months. Knox didn’t intend to cut down a single one of them when he started his project. He shaded his eyes with the back of his hand and could see sunlight reflecting off a gray metal roof of either a barn or a house.
“Are you in a hurry to get back to the lake? I would like to take a better look at this place,” Knox said.
“Not at all, but I was more than happy to leave so I wouldn’t have to talk to Bernie,” Lottie answered. “Haven’t you at least walked over it or taken a look at the house?”
“Nope, but Tripp did, and I trust his judgment,” he answered.
“Do you have a key for that lock? The sign on the fence plainly says NOTRESPASSING.”
He pulled a ring holding two keys from his shirt pocket and dangled them in front of her. “The place isn’t officially mine until we sign all the paperwork, but we shook hands on the deal, and that’s binding.”
“Uncle Jack taught me that the passenger has to open the gate and then close it when the driver goes through. I can’t see that house from here, but I’m in no mood to ruin my best high-heeled shoes in that gravel, so you better wait on me when you drive across the cattle guard.”
He reached across the console and took the keys back. “You could ruin those shoes just going to the gate. I’ll get the gate while you change into your tennis shoes. They are in the back floorboard. The house has been sitting empty for six months, so the yard is probably a mess.”
She removed her shoes and tossed them over her shoulder. She was tying her last shoe when he slid behind the steering wheel.
“No sense in closing it until we leave,” he said. “Roman sold all his cattle to Remy when he got too sick to take care of them.”
Could Aunt Bernie be right about Lottie being attracted to him even in a small way? He wondered as he swung the gate open. He shook his head at the very idea.
If Lottie had been interested in him, she would have flirted rather than bluntly asking him to be her boyfriend. This was nothing more than a business deal. He came to the end of the lane to find a white picket fence around the ranch-style house with a wide front porch. Rosebushes were leafing out and needed a good pruning. A brisk wind blew dried leaves from the pecan trees surrounding the house across the porch. Two rocking chairs with chipped white paint sat on either side of a small table with round stains inthe middle—probably where coffee cups had been set while Roman and Eula Faye watched the sunrise each morning.
“That’s kind of spooky,” Lottie whispered.
“Why? Because it’s empty?” Knox asked.
“No, because those rocking chairs are moving back and forth like someone is sitting in them,” she answered.
“Maybe it’s Roman and Eula Faye welcoming us,” he said.
“Well, if that’s the case, let’s go tell them hello,” she said and got out of the truck. She was halfway to the porch when he caught up to her and tucked her hand into his.
She pulled her hand free. “We don’t have to convince anyone we’re together out here in the boonies.”
He unlocked the door and stood to one side. “Got to keep up with things or we might forget when we are around folks.”
“You sure you don’t want to go in first?” Lottie asked. “After all, this isyournew home.”
“Ladies first,” Knox answered. “I want to see your first impression.”
Lottie stepped into the house and took a deep breath.
“Does that mean you think I should raze it and build a new one?” he asked.
