Page 242 of Josephine and Clay

“And now I’m being bullied by a veterinarian in a blue dress. Life takes strange turns.”

I laugh, and his smile widens as if he’s been waiting for that exact sound.

The date starts at a little roadside place just outside town, the kind of restaurant that doesn’t look impressive from the outside but smells incredible the second we step through the door. Clay gives his name to the woman at the counter, and she leads us to a table near the back, tucked beneath a window with a view of the fields beyond.

I pause when I see the small vase of flowers already waiting there.

Clay looks suddenly fascinated by the menu.

I sit slowly. “You planned this.”

“A little.”

“You called ahead?”

“Don’t sound so shocked. I know how phones work.”

“That’s still under review.”

He presses a hand to his chest. “I’m being wounded again.”

“You’ll recover.”

The waitress appears before he can answer, a cheerful woman named Bonnie who greets Clay as if she’s known him since he was shorter than the table.

“Look at you,” she says, setting down two waters. "Last time I saw you, you were bleeding through a shirt and insisting you were fine."

Clay gives her his best grin. “I can do both.”

Bonnie points at him. “Not with that leg, you can’t.”

I hide my smile behind my water glass.

Clay notices. “You’re enjoying this.”

“Deeply.”

Bonnie turns to me. “You make sure he behaves. His mama’s had enough trouble out of him.”

“I’m learning that’s a community project.”

“Oh, honey, it’s been for years.” She pats my shoulder before walking away. “I’ll give you a minute.”

Clay watches her go with a sigh. “I brought you here because the food’s good, not because I wanted character assassination with bread rolls.”

“You brought me to a place where everyone knows you. That was a risky choice.”

“I was hoping they’d talk me up.”

“Bonnie mentioned rodeo problems within thirty seconds.”

“That’s affectionate slander.”

“It sounded well earned.”

He leans back, studying me across the table. “You’re enjoying yourself.”

“I am.”