The Last One(56)

I finished in the shower, got dressed and went down to the kitchen. It was silent as it usually was at this time of day. I liked the quiet, because it was when my house belonged to me. Any other time, it was Ali’s and Bridget’s, too, and I didn’t mind that, but it was nice to have a few minutes of peace. I made the coffee and poured it into my mug while flipping through yesterday’s newspaper, catching up on scores and highlights, letting the day settle into my bones.

After I’d finished my coffee, I lingered a few extra minutes, just in case Meghan decided to wake up. If she were mad that I hadn’t come to her room last night, I’d rather know now than have it on my mind all day long. But she didn’t come out. I even crept to the front of the house and put my ear to her door, just in case she might be awake, reading or drawing. But I didn’t hear anything from within.

Finally, I gave up, went out the back door and climbed into the old farm truck. I had plenty to do today, and giving myself over to the normal routines of my work was how I coped. Why should today be any different, just because I’d slept with a girl last night? Or rather, hadn’t slept with her. I’d banged her and then left her with my sister.

“Put it away,” I growled to myself, and starting up the truck, I headed over rough dirt roads out to the stand.

No one was there yet, of course. I was always first on the scene, there to unlock the sliding wall and make sure everything was set up for the day. We had two high school kids who worked for us during the busy summer months, and Ali spent most of her time at the stand, too. But I liked to keep my eye on things, check on stock and inventory as well as basic upkeep.

This morning, after I knelt down to oil the wheels of the slider, I went to the back and examined the supports around one of the shelving units. Last winter, we’d been hit with a massive ice storm, and when everything had melted, water had leaked into this part of the small building, warping some of the wood and making it necessary to replace some shelves. Because this was the area that held our locally produced jams and honey, along with other fairly heavy products, I needed to make sure that the repairs were holding.

Cassie Demeyer showed up just as I’d finished my rounds. She was a pretty blonde girl, with a friendly smile and bright blue eyes that made her a customer favorite.

“Morning, Sam.” She slammed the door of her old Buick. “Are we all set?”

“Yeah, I think so. Jim Newman says he’ll be bringing the first of the semi-freestone peaches over today. I looked at them yesterday, and I think it’s a good crop this year. Make sure you push them with customers who’re looking for local fruit.”

We talked about pricing for the peaches and what produce was reaching the end of its season, so she could try to sell out what we had on hand. As soon as Lynne Bower, another of our high school employees, pulled up to join Cassie, I left them to their work and headed out into the fields to do my own.

By four-thirty that afternoon, I congratulated myself. I’d made it through the day without obsessing over Meghan; even if she’d crossed my mind once or twice—every hour—I was still willing to call it a victory. I could do this. Whatever this was.

I drove back to the house, parked the truck and went through my normal wash-up routine at the outdoor sink. I was just drying my face when I heard steps behind me. I turned to see Meghan coming up the path that led to the house from the stand. She was carrying a basket of peaches, and her eyes were fastened on me. Or more accurately, on my chest, still damp from the splashed water.

My heart thudded as I watched her approach. She wore a paint-spattered blue tank top, and it clung to her in a way that made me hope she hadn’t seen any men today. None at all. And those shorts ... they were almost riding up her ass. I felt myself harden, and it only got worse when she stopped a few feet away from me and ran her tongue over her lips.

“Hey.” I shut off the water and leaned against the sink. “Where’ve you been?” I heard the words come out of my mouth and hoped they didn’t sound as accusatory as I feared.

Meghan’s lips curled into a smile. “I went over to help out at the stand for a while this afternoon. Bridget stayed with me in the morning so we could do some drawing, and then I walked her out there after lunch.” She lifted the basket of fruit. “They were still busy, so Ali sent me home to put on the chicken for dinner. Oh, and she had me bring us some peaches, too, because they’re selling fast.”

“Good.” I slung my sweaty shirt over my shoulder. “So are you, uh, okay today?”

“Okay? Why?” Her forehead furrowed, and then smoothed as understanding dawned in her eyes. “Oh, you mean after last night.”