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We sat at an empty table in the hospital cafeteria. To her credit, she didn’t shy away.
“He came by the ranch.”
I should’ve been there for that. Not that Leona couldn’t handle him, but my need to protect her was strong.
“That’s all you’re going to say about it?”
“You look like you might turn over the table, so I wasn’t sure if I should go on.”
Sassy britches. I’d take that any day over the sad girl she’d been at Christmas.
“Did he apologize?” I hoped like hell that boy was more of a man than his father.
She nodded. “A lot. He said he really liked me, and even though he was trying to make his dad happy, he’s really missed me. He understands he shouldn’t have listened to his father.”
That was progress, but I couldn’t stop myself from asking, “Do you believe him?”
Uncertainty creased her face. “I’m not sure if he’s telling the truth or if I believe him because it’s what I want to hear.”
I cupped my coffee with both hands and stared into it so she didn’t see the surprise on my face. At her age, I didn’t have the sense God gave a gnat. Hell, I still didn’t sometimes.
“I wish I had the answer on how to figure this out but that’s something you’ll have to work out on your own.” I looked across the table at her. “You know you might get burned again, right?”
“I don’t want to be that person who holds a grudge forever.”
I squinted at her. She couldn’t possibly know how close to home her statement was. “You take after my daddy.”
“I talked to him about it.” She sipped her hot chocolate, while I nearly choked.
“You told him?” This girl had more courage than anyone in our family. It took guts to talk to my father about guys, even though it was a great choice.
“Not everything,” Leona said, appalled. “Just that Luke had hurt me, and I asked what I should do.”
I placed a hand over my chest. “Damn it. For a minute there, I thought—good Lord, if Daddy knew, he’d have buried both of the Greens.” Just Bryce would’ve been fine by me.
“He told me guys are boneheads and to take it slow, see if he’s for real.” A secretive smile turned up her lips. “And . . . if Luke hurts me again, he’s got his .22 and a shovel ready.”
I snickered. That sounded like my daddy. “He’ll have to get in line.”
Her expression turned serious. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if it weren’t for you.”
“You don’t ever have to find out.” I leaned forward and covered her hand with mine. “It took guts to talk to me, maybe even more to talk to Daddy, and the fact you’re trying to forgive that little SOB? You’re already a hell of a woman.”
If only I’d had her maturity, I wouldn’t have been so screwed up in my own feelings. Leona had taught me a lot.
“I don’t want to be stupid,” she whispered.
“Then only do what you’re comfortable with, whether it’s friendship or whatever. If he’s serious, he’ll stick around. If he’s not, you’ll know you did your best and how it turns out is on him.”
Her nose turned red and her eyes glassed over, but she quickly collected herself.
“What about you and Mr. Carter?”
I glanced at the red ribbon still on my left hand. “I spit in the face of my fear.”
“Why didn’t you tell us you were married? I like him.”
“What your granddaddy said about boneheaded guys applies to grown women too.”
