She shook her head. “Just dinner with Sully. I bet you could stay if you want to.”
“I’ll just have something cold to drink, then get to the dump. If you change your mind, you have my number. I’m staying home tonight. Other than tired, you doing okay today?”
“Excellent,” she said. “I’m taking a little teasing from Mr. Sullivan. Are you?”
“He hasn’t said a word. What could he say to get to me? I won the lottery. I’m the luckiest man alive.”
“And how were the camp kids today?” she asked him.
“It was so much fun,” he said. He put a hand at her back and turned her toward the store and pushed her gently in that direction. “They were all over the rig, screwing around with the hoses, trying on the hats and one kid even got his hands on turnouts and boots. We gave ’em lunch, talked to them about fire safety, about campfires and wildfires, and I’m pretty sure we have fourteen wannabe firefighters, seven of ’em girls.”
“How old were these kids?”
“Camp kids—they were ages eight to eleven. I always forget how much energy they have. Then to make sure they wouldn’t slow down, we made ice cream sundaes. They’re going to wiggle all night. Till they pass out.”
“Do you always volunteer to deal with the kids?”
“Only if it’s convenient, but most of the other guys have kids. Maybe they get enough of ’em at home. I like the kids. Unless they’re brats. I have a hard time with the brats.”
“But you love kids,” she said.
“I love kids, but mostly good kids.”
They helped themselves to cold drinks and sat on the porch. Within a couple of minutes Sully was with them and had a lot of questions about Cal’s progress on the barn so Sierra described everything right down to the hardwood floors that weren’t really wood but porcelain that looked like wood. “And according to Cal, it doesn’t require any maintenance like the wood does.”
After a couple of cold drinks, Sully was ready to make dinner and convinced Sierra to help and Connie to stay. They worked together to grill fish and vegetables, a staple to their diets. And when dinner and dishes were done, Connie was ready to go. “Walk me to my truck,” he said to Sierra. He kissed her goodbye, deeply, letting her know with his lips and embrace how much he’d like more. But he told her to sleep well.
Sierra and Sully hung out together until the sun was nearly down. The grounds were quiet, the dogs peaceful, Sully had his nightcap and Sierra her tea and Sully said good-night.
“Just in case you’re inclined to worry, I think I’m going to take Molly out for the rest of the evening. I’ll be fine.”
“The rest of the evening or night?” he asked.
“Whatever feels right at the time. I’ll have my phone if you need me.”
“I’ve gotten by over seventy years without you. Enjoy yourself.”
She drove with the windows down, Molly hanging her head out and letting the wind billow her lips. She’d felt a smile inside of herself all day long. She couldn’t help it, she felt strangely renewed. She’d enjoyed physical love that felt clean and pure; sex without a price or consequence with a man who made no demands and respected her speed, or the lack. He respected her space and her body and he didn’t push her. He was honorable. He had integrity. She had forgotten such men existed. Indeed, in her world, they’d been very rare and they’d never been hers.
She wasn’t sure why but Connie cared about her. And she was falling for him.
Molly was barking the second she got out of the car. Sierra ran the short distance to the front door, but it opened before she could knock. She threw her arms around Connie’s neck and kissed him.
“Is this a booty call?” he asked, smiling.
She nodded. “You don’t have company or anything, do you?”
“I left you less than two hours ago. You think I have a booty call speed dial?”
“You don’t?”
“Sierra, this is my first booty call. Am I going to like it?”
“I can almost guarantee it,” she said.
*
Sierra slept so soundly, she never heard a sound. When she rolled over in the early morning, Molly was sleeping where Connie had been. She said, “Well, good morning.” And Molly burped in her face. “Nice,” Sierra said. “What have you done with my boyfriend?”
Molly stretched.
Connie had whispered late last night that he’d be going to work early in the morning and said she should sleep; he’d be quiet. Sierra was typically an early riser and had fully expected to stir when he left the bed, but instead she slept deeply. She thought he said he’d be leaving at six. She looked at the bedside clock—seven. She’d missed morning coffee with Sully by a couple of hours.
She slid out of bed and grabbed her T-shirt off the floor. She headed for the kitchen but paused for a second. Connie’s house wasn’t big like Cal’s but it was an open plan—living room, kitchen, breakfast bar, dining area, all together. And it was immaculate. No more clothes hanging over chairs or tossed on the furniture. The kitchen shone; the carpet had vacuum tracks. There was a note on the counter.
I hope you slept in. There’s coffee ready—just flip the switch. Molly was fed and has been outside. Call me when you’re up. Love, C.
She looked down at her dog. “You’ve been fed?” Molly wagged. She saw that by the door there were two dog bowls—one with water in it. The other empty.
She went back to the bedroom to grab her phone. She called him. “Conrad, when did you do all this?”
“Ah, you’re up. All what?”
“The spotless house, the dog dishes, dog food...?”
“I had a little time yesterday before I met the camp kids. And I got the dishes and food on my way to work. Just in case...”
“Just in case Molly spent the night again?” she asked.
“Always prepared,” he said. Then in a lowered voice he said, “She didn’t even goose me last night. But it was a great night anyway. Hey, there’s cereal and milk and fruit and eggs...”
“I’m going to get out to the Crossing. I promised to help Sully this weekend.”
“I’m on for twenty-four hours. I might be pretty tied up. And if I can steal a little personal time, I have that errand...that sad errand...”
“I don’t know what you mean,” she said.
“I promised to look in on Alyssa’s mother. I’m only planning to do that once and I should do it before I’m too late. Not for Alyssa. Because I always liked Rachel. She’s a good woman.”
“Of course,” Sierra said. “I’ll talk to you when you have time.”
“I’ll call you, if that’s okay.”
“Sure. And, Connie—thank you for the dog food. And everything.”
“I’m really glad you came over,” he said in a hushed voice. “I could get used to that.”
“Don’t get used to it,” she warned. “Let’s not set up a lot of expectations.”
“Whatever you say, Sierra.”