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“So, until that’s fixed, I have no water?”
“Yes. At least you’re not living here yet.”
She nodded, then looked at him. “You look pretty good, considering how much you had to drink last night.”
“My dad’s wife is a nurse. She mixed me up something with vitamins and minerals. Electrolytes. Whatever. It worked pretty well.”
She looked at her car. “My chicken.”
“Excuse me?”
She smiled. “I have chicken in the car. To eat. Not live chickens.”
He laughed. “I figured.”
Joey went to her car and retrieved a box of chicken strips. She held it up. “It’s from Mr. Kluck’s. I thought I’d see if it’s still as good as it used to be.”
“It is. Although I haven’t had it in a while.” He and Joey spent many days after school at Mr. Kluck’s. And he wondered if she was just hungry for chicken. Or if it was more than that.
“I bought plenty. Would you like a strip? I got barbecue sauce.”
J.T. took a few steps back from her. “No. I should go.” He started walking toward his truck.
“J.T.?” He turned back and looked at her and she said, “Just one strip? A peace offering.”
“Hmm. I suppose I can take time for one chicken strip.” He followed her to the porch, and they sat on two old chairs.
She opened the box and handed him a piece of chicken. “I’d offer you some water, but…”
“It’s fine.”
“I might have a beer in the fridge.”
“No beer. That hair of the dog thing doesn’t really work.”
Chapter nine
"It's a family thing."
Joey dipped her chicken strip into the barbecue sauce and took a bite, then nodded as she chewed it. “Just as good. Maybe even better.”
J.T. nodded in agreement.
She finished her strip, then looked at him. “I know we left things in a horrible place six years ago. And we’re both still feeling hurt and rejected. But I had no idea you owned the land on both sides of me. I promise you, I didn’t know.”
J.T. took a moment. “I know it wasn’t intentional. You had no way of knowing.”
“So, you believe me?”
“Didn’t I just say that?”
“Do you think… Do you think it’s possible for us to be amicable neighbors? I’m not asking for friendship. I just don’t want to be feuding with you.”
He sighed. “I don’t want to feud with you either. But I don’t want to be the guy you run to every time you need help with something. I have a ranch to work and a house to build.”
“I understand. Of course, I won’t call you for anything.”
He cocked his head. “I didn’t say for anything. Just keep it down to one or two favors a month. Is that doable?”
