The Duet(22)

I suppose she sensed it anyway. “Afraid so. Jason seems to be working hard upstairs and Derek is still out working in the barn.”

“That’s okay. I don’t think Jason would want to eat with me anyway,” I said, surprised at my loose lips. LuAnne just had that way about her, she gave off a grandmotherly vibe, like if you stared into her blue eyes, you knew you could tell her all your secrets and she’d pat your shoulder and tell you how to fix your life, all while shoving food in front of you.

“Nonsense, why would you think that? Did he help you find your room and get situated?”

I knew that LuAnne technically worked for Jason, but I had a feeling that if I told her the truth he’d be in major trouble with her later.

I shrugged it off. “I found it really easily. The room is awesome. Do I have you to thank for those flowers?”

“Oh! I’m glad you liked them. Normally the guys hate it if I leave flowers in their room.”

We laughed as she came to sit across from me. Over a plate of garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, and roasted chicken, I got to learn a bit more about LuAnne. She told me that she’d lived in Montana her whole life. She’d married young but never had any children of her own, and ten years ago her husband had cheated on her with “a skank from outta town” and they’d divorced soon after. Since then, she’s worked for Jason.

“Do you ever get bored out here on your own when Jason travels for work?”

She studied the stem of her wine glass, smiled, and then shook her head. “I think other people might get lonely, but the country life is for me. I’m old-fashioned in a lot of ways and I appreciate the quiet. I have my hobbies and I go into town when I need some social interaction. We have a little book club in town and those girls give me more than enough drama to keep me going.”

I laughed and nodded. “I don’t have too many friends, but my younger sister and I have always been close.”

She smiled, “What about a boyfriend?”

I puffed my lips out so that they made a puttering sound. LuAnne cracked up and poured us each a bit more wine.

“My job doesn’t make it very easy to date. I had a seriously pitiful hook-up before leaving LA and I fear that might be the only action I’ll get for quite a while.”

“Well, let’s hope you have a good vibrator.”

My eyes shot to her. “LuAnne!”

She shrugged innocently. “What? Are we not close enough to talk about that yet?”

I thought about it for a second. “You just look very prim and proper.”

She grinned. “Don’t let my ironed button-down fool you. I was quite the wild child in my day.”

“Good to know,” I laughed.

“So what do you think about Derek?”

I glanced around the open kitchen, wondering if we could talk privately in here without being overheard.

“He’s still out working and Jason locked himself up in that room, so you’re free to speak your mind,” she said, reassuring me of our privacy.

“He’s a little young,” I answered honestly.

“And Jason?”

I choked on the sip of wine I’d taken a second before. LuAnne had to come around and pat my back for fear that I was going to keel over on her kitchen table.

“That bad, huh?” she asked, taking her seat across from me once she was assured I was okay.

I laughed and coughed out the remaining wine. “You have no idea.”

What did she think I wanted? Jason’s heart? I was there to write music and then be on my merry way.

She narrowed her eyes, studying my features before speaking again. “Jason is a rough around the edges kind of guy. I won’t pretend to understand the intricacies of that man, but he’s had an interesting last few years. Lots of ups and lots of downs. After everything that happened with Kim and Lacy, I think he keeps his heart well-protected.”

Interesting.

“Who’s Kim?” I asked, trying to sound like I wasn’t aching to know more details of his life.

She stilled. “Oh, no one. Let’s not talk about that boring stuff,” she said, trying to brush her slip of tongue under the rug.

I tried to think of something else to talk about, but Jason was still clouding my thoughts so we sat in comfortable silence for a beat.

“Why don’t you go head up and get some sleep. I’m sure Jason has plans for you tomorrow.”

The dishes that were piled in the sink caught my gaze.

“Don’t even think about it. I can handle all of those. It’s my job and I’m pretty picky about how my kitchen is cleaned.”

I laughed and stood up to leave, but before I could, LuAnne stood to give me a hug.