“They better. The barrel racing was a good beginning—it didn’t cost much to do—but if the roping doesn’t work, I’m screwed.”
“Speaking of screwed, how is Luke?”
Vivi Ann laughed. “I never said I was screwing him.”
“You never said you weren’t. But really, Vivi, I saw you guys at the Outlaw last night. You looked pretty lovey-dovey.”
“Everyone is lovey-dovey at the Outlaw. It’s the tequila.”
Aurora sat down on the table beside her and looked up. “Are you in love with him?”
Vivi Ann knew that she and Luke were a constant topic of conversation in town. Everyone accepted that he was in love with her. On their regular weekend night at the Outlaw Tavern, he told everyone who would listen that she’d stolen his heart over a bowl of ice cream. “One look and I just knew,” he always said.
She had no idea what to say to that, how it was supposed to make her feel. She really liked Luke. They had a lot of fun together and lots in common.
But love?
How would she know? All she knew for sure was that they’d been together for nearly three months and he still acted nervous around her, still touched her cautiously, as if he were afraid that passion would break her. Last night, when he’d kissed her goodnight, she’d found herself wanting more, needing more. But how could you tell a good man that you needed him to be a little bad?
“You’re not answering me,” Aurora said.
“I don’t know how.”
Aurora gave her a look. “You just did.”
Vivi Ann changed the subject before it plunged into murkier waters. “Where’s Winona? She’s been sort of distant the past few weeks. Have you noticed?”
Aurora got up and began rearranging the floral centerpiece. “What do you mean?”
“Is something going wrong at work? She told me she had better things to do than decorate the Eagles Hall.”
“I think she’s got some big case coming up.”
“Luke said she’s giving him the cold shoulder, too.”
“You know Win. When she’s wrapped up in something . . .”
“Yeah. I miss her around the house, though.”
“You’ll have to get used to that. You’re with Luke now.”
“What does that have to do with anything? You’re married and I see you all the time. We still go to the Outlaw on Fridays together. Sisters trump men, remember? We made that pact a long time ago. Just because I’m dating someone doesn’t mean I’ll blow you and Win off. I’d never let a man do that to us.”
She heard Aurora sigh. “I know. I told her that.”
“You talked about this? What did she say? What’s wrong?”
Aurora finally quit messing with the flowers and looked up. “I told her she needed to stop working all the time.”
“Good. When she comes tonight I’ll tell her the same thing.”
“Uh. She’s not coming.”
“What?”
“This is your night.” Aurora paused. “And you’ve had a lot of them. Just cut her some slack, okay? Let her figure things out. She’s a little fragile right now.”
“Winnie? She’s as fragile as a jackhammer.”