In a grocery store. Shopping. Together.
Watching Tandy read the ingredients on a cereal box, her hand stroking over Pearl’s silky black curls, made him happy.
“Dada?” Pearl asked, patting his hand on the shopping cart handle.
He smiled at her. “Yes, baby girl?”
She smiled. “Dada.” Her hand stayed on his.
He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Yes, ma’am.”
“I think this is the best option,” Tandy said, holding a cereal box in each hand.
“Which one?” he asked, trying not to smile as he picked up a box of brightly colored rings. “Why not this?”
She glanced at the box and frowned at him. “For Pearl? It’s nothing but sugar. You don’t want...” She stopped at his smile. “You’re teasing me?”
He chuckled. “A bit.”
She shook her head and dropped the cereal she’d picked out into the basket. “You think you’re cute.”
“You do,” he said.
She shot him a look, but the flush of her cheeks was reward enough. He pushed the cart, fully aware that the good folks of Fort Kyle were interested in their shopping trip. That, or they were all smitten with Pearl.
Tandy seemed to be on a mission, filling the cart with things he didn’t know he’d ever need. If she thought they needed it, who was he to argue?
When he pushed the cart into the checkout lane, he saw Scarlett walk in. She was on her cell phone, listening more than talking. But once she spotted them, she hung up and headed straight for them.
“Hi,” she said, hugging them. “Looks like you’re stocking up. Thanks for texting me, Click, so I didn’t worry over her.”
“Sorry,” Tandy said. “I sort of fell asleep. It was midnight when I woke up.”
Click smiled, unloading the groceries onto the conveyor belt. Tandy might not have realized what she’d just said, but there was plenty of room for interpretation. The look on their older cashier’s face told him exactly how she interpreted it—and she didn’t approve.
“Oh.” Scarlett glanced back and forth between them. “I was picking up some watermelons for the ranch and then I was heading your way. I figure you’d need a ride back to the ranch house.”
Click looked at Tandy, the same time Tandy looked at him.
“Click was going to help me at the cabin,” Tandy said. “If there’s anything worth saving.”
He nodded. “Sure.”
“Okay. I can help,” Scarlett said. “But I wouldn’t hold your breath.”
Click agreed. He didn’t want them digging around until he was sure there was no danger. A storm like that could cause all sorts of structural and electrical prob
lems. Not to mention the wildlife rousted up. He didn’t want Banshee getting sprayed by a skunk hiding out. Or have a run-in with the javelinas he’d seen tearing through the back fields a few times now. Best to leave them alone.
“Your father planning on sending over a tractor or truck anytime soon?” Click asked, paying for the groceries and steering the cart toward the door.
Scarlett shook her head, looking thoughtful. “He hasn’t mentioned it. To be honest, he seemed downright pleased that you didn’t come home last night, Tandy.”
Why would Woodrow Boone be happy she’d stayed with him? It didn’t make much sense.
“But he did want me to invite you and Pearl out for dinner,” Scarlett said.
“What’s he up to?” Tandy asked.