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“Yeah.” His gaze searched hers, and she could see the wariness in his.
“That’s what I’m doing,” she said. “But I need to figure things out away from distractions and opinions and memories.”
“Which am I?” he whispered.
“None of those, and all of those.” Evie gave a half-laugh. “I don’t know. I am a basket case, so you can’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“You’re an amazing and beautiful woman, Evie Prosper.” Carson smoothed a hand over her hair, then his fingers lingered on her arm, his thumb caressing. “If Holt can’t take you, I will. I can drop you off and come back here for the rest of the weekend, then see you Sunday night.”
Right now wasn’t the time for tears, so Evie blinked them back and said, “All right. If anything changes, I’ll let you know.”
Headlights flashed and bounced behind them, shining through the rear window. Carson released her and turned to peer out his window as a truck pulled up alongside them.
Lane had arrived.
Carson rolled down his window, and Lane did the same.
“What’s going on?” Lane said. “Everything all right?”
“Fine,” Carson said. “It’s kind of you to check in on your sister.”
Lane frowned. “I’m sorry about those guys. If I’d have known, I’d have . . .”
“You’d have what?” Carson shot back, his tone hard. “Thrown a punch? Bought them more beers? Sang kumbaya?”
“Hey, now,” Lane said. “Deuce said he was sorry.”
Evie felt the tension in Carson multiplying by the minute. “Carson . . .”
His eyes were still locked on her brother. “I didn’t hear any apology, and if he did apologize, it was to the wrong person.”
Lane exhaled. “You’re right.” He frowned. “Evie, I’m sorry about what my friends said about you and Carson.”
“Thanks, Lane,” Evie said. “I appreciate the apology.”
Evie looked from her brother to Carson. The tension between the two had dissipated, but she could still sense the energy thrumming from Carson.
“And Carson’s right,” Lane continued. “I do need new friends. Not that I’ve seen them much since being in college, but things are going to change around here.”
“Maybe,” Evie said. “None of them have left Prosper, so it’s like they’re still in the high school void. Still petty and pitting themselves against each other.”
“Yeah . . .” Lane said. “So I owe you guys lunch or dinner, or something. Does tomorrow work?”
Evie told him she was leaving, and Lane’s brows pulled. “Is it because of me? Of what happened tonight?”
“No,” she said. “I’ve got an interview to get ready for.” She told him about the email from the San Antonio Daily News.
Lane blinked. “Oh, that’s great. I’m right proud of you, sis. I hope you nail the interview. They’ll be lucky to have you.”
Evie’s face warmed at the encouragement. “Thanks.”
“Okay, I’ll let you guys go,” Lane said. “Thanks for everything, Carson, I mean it.”
“No problem, man,” Carson said.
Lane drove off, continuing toward Prosperity Ranch.
Evie’s weight had been lightened once again by her brother’s words. She wondered if she’d stayed in the small town and never left, if she would be as petty and small-minded as Jana and Deuce. She sure hoped not.
