Page 44 of Midnight

Ash shook his head. “But I won’t be fine knowing you are worn out, half sick and hurting, and doing it alone. If you were operating on what’s left of your emotions, I’d say you’re about one pothole away from having a wreck.”

Nora grinned. “Such a sweet-talking man. You always were a charmer. Pothole, indeed.”

Dylan laughed as Ash reached for the check.

“I can’t eat my pie. I’m too full,” Nora said.

“We’ll take it back to the house. I’ll eat it for you later,” Ash said.

And this time, it was Nora who laughed.

“That will be another thing about you that hasn’t changed, but I’ll gladly give up pie for the pleasure of your company,” she said.

At that point, Gunner stood. “I’m taking the truck. You two can ride home with Dylan. See you later, hopefully with more info,” and then he was gone.

Nora could almost see the chip on his shoulder as she watched him walking out.

“Gunner holds a grudge better than anyone I ever knew,” she said.

Ash nodded. “Yes, he does, but he’s damn good at his job. You go on ahead with Dylan. Get in the front seat with him. I’ll be out as soon as I pay up.”

Dylan winked and held out his arm. “Come on, darlin’. The Kingstons will always have your back,” then he helped her on with her coat and zipped it up for her, before escorting her out of the Rose.

Asher glanced back, satisfied that his brother was on the job, and waited for someone to get to the register so he could pay.

Finally, he threw down a couple of twenties on the counter on top of his ticket, and waved Darla down.

“Keep the change. I need to get Nora home.”

Darla rang up the money paid, pocketed the eight dollars in change, then watched him walk out of the Rose.

“That is one fine man,” she muttered, then reminded herself she already had one, and two kids to boot, and went to bus a table as they drove away.

“Remember, as soon as we get the door fixed, I’m heading back to Amarillo to keep an eye on Dad,” Dylan said.

Ash nodded. “Is this interfering with your work?” he asked.

“If it wasn’t for Angie, it would be, but we’ve managed to keep everything running smoothly with phone calls and texts, and I’m still communicating with the crews via texts and video calls.”

Nora smiled. “Isn’t technology amazing? We couldn’t have done anything like this when we were growing up here. There was nobody and nothing for miles and miles, and no way to communicate beyond phone calls. Now Ihave Zoom meetings with people in London, and China, and LA, all at one time.”

Dylan’s eyes widened. “Dang, girl. I had no idea. I don’t know what I thought a job in technology meant, but I didn’t think worldwide when I thought it.”

“I’m going to have to readjust my schedules now because of this stupid injury. My typing will be ridiculously slow until the bandage comes off,” she said.

Ash frowned. “When did they say you could do that?”

“I’m not to get it wet for forty-eight hours, and then take the bandage off and let it heal without it. If all is well, they’ll take the stitches out in about a week. It’s not the end of the world, but it sure slowed my world down.”

Dylan pulled up to the front of the bar, then turned around and backed up to the front door.

“I’ve got keys,” Ash said. “Let me get Nora settled in the house, and then I’ll be right back.”

“No hurry,” Dylan said. “I have to remove the trim and what’s left of the old glass before we can put in a new piece.”

“I’m sure glad you know what you’re doing,” Ash said.

Dylan grinned. “I’m glad I know what I’m doing, too. You get Nora inside where it’s warm, and Nora honey, I’ll say goodbye now, in case you’re asleep when I leave. Glad to have you back in the family.”