Page 98 of His Wounded Heart

I think about it for a moment. “He must have had a reason for telling Florence he wasn’t a good kisser. I would hate to say differently if that’s the word he wants out there.”

“Ah ha! I knew it. You have empirical evidence that tells you the rumor is not true! Ever since the truck sighting I’ve called Drake every other hour, and he hasn’t called me back. I’ve left a message every time—I have to be annoying the hell out of him—but I don’t care. I want to find out what he knows about Simon. Since Simon’s Navy, I’m praying Drake knows him.”

“That’s good thinking, Sis, and everybody in California knows one another too.”

“Hey, cut the sarcasm. This is important. My big sister is interested in a man. And, she kissed him. I need to know that he is good enough for her. Zoe wants to know too.”

“So, Zoe came all the way from ETSU, and didn’t come by to say hi? She even dissed her niece?”

“Yep, she drove the whole half hour over to my place and failed to drop by your place. What are you talking about? You see her all the time.”

I sigh. “I guess so. It just feels like besides you, everybody has left.”

“And I’m chopped liver?”

“My God, is this the same woman I’ve been talking to for the last four months?”

There is a long pause. “It is, Trenda, but I’m doing better. Far from good, but better.”

I feel tears well in my eyes. “Well, that’s good, Chloe.” I’m not going to dwell on it or make a big deal out of it if she’s making the right steps. Teasing, however? Teasing is always acceptable if it’s kind, and it gets me what I need. “So, if you’re doing so much better, do you feel up to doing a sister a solid?”

“Does it involve a truck and getting laid?”

“You are back! I’m not sure about the laid part, but I have been promised a trip to third base.”

“Then you are definitely getting laid. Is it true he’s hot with gray hair?”

“Ooooh yeah.”

“So do you want me to pick up Bella from school?”

“Is today too short of notice?”

“Pish. You know it’s not. I’ve been practicing not swearing, but I also have been squirreling away all the one-dollar bills I get in change, just in case.”

I laugh. “I don’t know why everybody still puts up with her schtick.”

“Because she’s adorable and we love her. Now go call your man.”

“He’s not my man.”

“Anybody you’re rounding bases with better be your man. It is unacceptable for anyone to be just fooling around with my sister; he needs to be thinking for keeps. If he’s not, he’ll have five angry women on his ass.”

I frown. “Seriously, Chloe, we’re not getting serious. I’m not sure he even knows what his plans are for the future. So please don’t have any expectations. I don’t.”

Chloe’s voice was gentle when she replied. “Okay, I won’t. I won’t even tell the others about me babysitting so my big sister can get herself some. But Honey, I don’t want you to get hurt. You deserve only good things in this life.”

“Simon is one of life’s good things, even if all I get out of this is one night, okay?”

Liar.

“Okay. Just take care of my big sister’s heart for me. Will you?”

“I will.”

I cross my fingers.

“I’m going to stop by and pick up what Bella needs for school tomorrow, so that I don’t have to interrupt you in the morning, either. Sound good?”