“I’ll be five minutes or so if you want to come inside?”
“Nah,” I said. “I’m dirty. I’ll just wait for you out here.”
And then she was gone.
I stared down at my filthy work boots for a few seconds and then yanked them off, pulling out sandals from my bag. My T-shirt was pretty much drenched with sweat, and my hair was a crazy mess that stuck to my neck. Shit, maybe my dad was right and it was time for me to cut it the hell off.
I tore my shirt off and found an old baseball jersey that was wrinkled as all shit but at least it didn’t smell.
I’d just slicked back my hair when the door slammed open and Monroe appeared with a beat-up green cooler and some towels.
“Gram made us lunch.”
I was on my feet and took the cooler as Mrs. Blackwell followed her granddaughter onto the porch.
“Good afternoon, Nathan.”
“Hey, Mrs. Blackwell. I hope you don’t mind I’m heading out early, but it’s hotter than a—” I th
ought better of cursing in front of Mrs. Blackwell and stopped myself just in time.
“That’s fine, Nathan. Monroe says you’ve finished painting the fence around the family plot?”
“It’s all done.”
“Wonderful. And when are you starting on the main house?”
“Tomorrow, I think. My uncle needed to order some materials before we could start rebuilding posts that are rotted on the porch.”
“Good.” She paused and I shifted as she changed gears. “Where exactly are you taking my granddaughter?”
Her eyes were on me, focused and intense.
“I was thinking we could head out to Baker’s Landing.”
Baker’s Landing was on my grandparents’ land. It had the coldest, freshest, spring-fed water for swimming in the area, and on a day like today was the best place to cool off. I used to go out there a lot with Trevor and the guys, but so far this summer, I hadn’t been once.
“There won’t be any drinking.”
“No, ma’am.”
Mrs. Blackwell nodded. “All right, Monroe. But I expect you back for supper.” With one last smile, she left us alone on the porch.
“You ready?” I said to Monroe as I headed down the steps. I got to the bottom before I realized that she hadn’t followed.
“Anything wrong?” I asked carefully, wondering how I’d screwed this up already.
She played with soft pink straps that were tied behind her head and I realized she’d changed into a bathing suit when she’d been inside. “Will there be anybody else there?”
“I doubt it.”
“I don’t believe you.”
I was quiet for a second, and then I got it.
“Rachel won’t be there, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“Well, if she is, I’m leaving. I don’t want to get in the middle of your crap.”