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She walked behind the landfill sign and pointed her camera toward the methane pipes. “I understand the technology that interests him.” The shutter clicked. “I appreciate his passion for ecology on both a scientific and a practical level. He has an amazing mind, and not many people can walk in lockstep with that kind of intellect.”
Still another woman who thought she knew what he needed. Meg couldn’t resist. “And Ted returns your feelings?”
“We’re getting there.” She lowered the camera again. “At least I hope so. I’m a realist. Maybe it won’t happen the way I want, but I’m like my father. I don’t back down from a challenge. I believe Ted and I have a future, and I intend to do everything I can to make it happen.” She gazed directly into Meg’s eyes. “Cards on the table. I want
you to leave Wynette.”
“Do you now?” She saw no reason to tell Sunny she’d have been on her way if Sunny hadn’t stopped her. “And why is that?”
“It’s not personal. I think you’re good for my father. He’s been depressed lately. Getting older and all that. You’ve taken his mind off it. The problem for me is, you’re holding Ted back. He’d never admit he’s leaning on you, but it’s obvious.”
“You think Ted’s leaning on me?”
“I see it in the way he looks at you, the way he talks about you. I know you and Lucy Jorik were best friends. You’re a reminder of her, and as long as you’re around, it’s going to be very hard for him to move forward.”
So smart, and yet so dumb.
“I’m also a big believer in women watching out for women,” Sunny said. “Being around him so much isn’t good for you. I’ve heard from more people than I can count that you’re over him, but we both know that’s not quite true. Face it, Meg. Ted’s never going to go for you. The two of you have nothing in common.”
Except famous parents, a privileged upbringing, a passion for ecology, and a high tolerance for the absurd, something Sunny would never understand.
“Ted is comfortable with you because you remind him of Lucy,” Sunny went on. “But that’s all it will ever be. Staying here is holding you back, and it’s making my relationship with him more complicated.”
“You certainly are blunt.”
She shrugged. “I believe in being honest.”
But what Sunny called honesty was nothing more than a callous disregard for any feelings or opinions that weren’t her own.
“Subtleties have never worked for me,” she said, proudly flying the flag of her self-importance. “If you’re willing to disappear, I’m willing to help you get started with your jewelry business.”
“Blood money?”
“Why not? You aren’t a bad investment. By incorporating genuine relics in your pieces, you’ve stumbled on a nice little niche market that could be very profitable.”
“Except I’m not sure I want to be in the jewelry business.”
Sunny couldn’t comprehend anyone turning her back on a viable business, and she barely concealed a sneer. “What else are you going to do?”
She was about to tell Sunny she’d handle her future her own way when she heard tires spinning on gravel. They both turned as an unfamiliar car braked to a stop behind them. The sun was in her eyes, so she couldn’t see who was driving, but the interruption didn’t surprise her. The good citizens of Wynette wouldn’t leave her alone with a Skipjack for long.
But as the car door opened, her stomach sank. The person getting out of the dark sedan was Spence. She turned to Sunny. “Take me back to town.”
But Sunny’s eyes were on her father as he approached them, his Panama hat shadowing the upper half of his face. “Dad, what are you doing here?”
“You told me you were taking pictures today.”
Meg had no reserves left to deal with this. “I want to go back to town now.”
“Leave us alone,” Spence said to his daughter. “I have a few things I need to say to Meg in private.”
“No! Don’t leave.”
Meg’s alarm confused Sunny, whose welcoming smile for her father faded. “What’s going on?”
Spence angled his head toward his daughter’s car. “I’ll meet you back in town. Go on.”
“Stay where you are, Sunny,” Meg said. “I don’t want to be alone with him.”
