Page 252 of Josephine and Clay

"You one of those McCoy girls now?"

I nearly drop the latch. "What?"

Harold gestures vaguely. "You and Clay."

My entire face heats.

Across the room, Dr. Harris immediately develops a sudden interest in filing cabinets.

Traitor.

Harold continues before I can answer. "Saw you two at the lake."

Of course he did.

Apparently, privacy is no longer available in Buckhorn.

"We're just…"

I stop.

Because I don't actually know how to finish it. Dating, building something, falling in love.

All of those feel dangerous.

Harold nods as though I've confirmed everything. "Good."

I blink. "Good?"

"Kid's been grinning so much lately it's starting to concern people."

The simple statement catches me completely off guard.

Harold shrugs. "About time."

He picks up the cat carrier again, and I follow him into the examination room, still trying to process what he said.

Dr. Harris chooses that moment to walk past. "Interesting conversation."

I shake my head as I open the carrier, though Harold's words linger.

Kid's been grinning so much lately…

I've noticed it too. Clay smiles more easily now, talks about the future without changing the subject, and seems more settled every time I see him.

By the time I finish work, the clinic parking lot is mostly empty. The sun hangs low in the sky, casting long shadows across the gravel. I gather my bag and step outside. Then stop.

Clay's truck is parked near the entrance.

The driver's door opens, and he climbs out carefully, still favoring his leg slightly. The expression on his face makes me suspicious. Very suspicious.

I walk toward him. "What's that look?"

"What look?"

"The one that says you're planning something."

His grin widens, confirming every suspicion I've got.