I opened the fridge and pulled out the water pitcher, got a glass out of the cabinet and poured. “Why do you think it’s something to do with him?”
“You have the look of a woman pissed off at a man. And since to the best of my knowledge, the only men you’ve met in Burton are Sam and Boomer, and since Boomer is a pretty amiable guy and sticks to only pissing off his own wife, Sam seems like the most likely candidate.”
I took a long drink and set the glass back on the counter. “He’s maddening, Ali. I know he’s your brother, but it’s the truth. And the most frustrating part is that I knew exactly what he was going to do. Well, I didn’t know he was going to come to the school to do it, but I knew he was going to back-peddle and tell me it was a mistake. The kiss, I mean.”
“He went to the school?” Ali’s mouth dropped. “He left the fields in the middle of a sunny day to drive to town?”
“He said he was coming in anyway to drop off a soil sample.” I wasn’t really sure what that meant, but it sounded like something a farmer would do.
“Bullshit. The Bureau’s closed on Fridays. He went to see you, and that’s all.” She laughed and turned back to flip the tomatoes. “Hoo boy, does he have it bad. This is the best thing ever.”
“I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t agree.”
“Probably not. So what did you say? When he told you he didn’t mean to kiss you? What, did he trip and fall onto your lips?”
“He didn’t say that exactly. Just that he was sorry, it shouldn’t have happened, blah, blah, blah. I just said ... okay.”
“You did?” Ali turned down the flame under her pan and stirred another pot.
“Yeah. And you should have seen the look on his face. He expected me to pitch a fit, and when I didn’t, I think he was a little disappointed.”
She laughed again, almost a cackle. “Perfect. I can’t wait to see—oh, shhh. Here he comes.”
The old farm truck rumbled into the backyard, and Sam climbed out. He was considerably dustier than he’d been earlier in the afternoon, and the look on his face was anything but happy. I watched him stride over to the outside shed sink, strip off his shirt and wash up. And all I wanted at that moment was to be able to walk outside, slip my arms around his damp waist and rest my head on his muscled back. To do that, knowing he would turn in my arms and look down at me with a desire that matched my own ... I sighed.
“I have an idea.” Ali leaned toward me, keeping her eyes on the window. “Just follow my lead, okay? Trust me. And Jesus, girl, rein it in. You’re looking at him like you want to slurp him up with a spoon.”
I didn’t have time to answer her before the screen door squealed open and then slammed shut. Sam stomped into the kitchen. Droplets of water glistened on his chest, and his light brown hair was darker at the ends where it was wet. I clutched at the counter edge behind me.
“Hey, good timing. Supper’s about ready.”
Sam scowled at her. “I’m getting a shower. Start without me.” He started through the doorway to the living room until Ali’s sharp voice stopped him.
“No, sir, we will not. Grab a clean shirt and come sit down. These tomatoes will get soggy if we don’t eat them now, and we’re not being rude and eating without you.” She rapped on the window to get Bridget’s attention and motioned her inside.
Sam muttered something low under his breath, but he stepped into the small laundry room off the kitchen, chucked his dirty tee into a basket and took a clean one from the pile Ali kept there for him. I couldn’t help licking my lips as I watched him pull it on.
“Meghan, will you please put the potatoes on the table?” Ali thrust a steaming bowl in front of me, and I had no choice but to take it. I set it down in the middle of the long plank table just as Bridget came dancing in.
“Wash up, Bridge, we’re going to eat. Here, Sam, take the meat.”
In a few minutes, under Ali’s expert prodding and direction, we were all sitting down around the table. Sam asked the blessing on the food, in the words I was sure were an exact duplicate of the prayer his father and grandfather had used. As soon as we began passing platters and bowls, Ali glanced at me.
“Meghan, you know, I was thinking. This is your third Friday night in Burton, and all you’ve been doing is sitting at home.”
Across the table, I saw Sam’s arm freeze in mid-action as he spooned out boiled potatoes. I slid my eyes to Ali.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” I had an inkling of where she was going, but I also knew it was likely doomed to failure.