"Seventeen. Two days after my high school graduation, I split. Didn't even wait till the fall semester, enrolled at Texas Tech that summer."
"That must have made your father proud."
"Not really. When I told him I wanted to be a cop, he laughed, said I'd make a better criminal."
"I'm sure he changed his mind once you became an officer."
"He didn't live to see it. He died still thinking I wouldn't amount to much."
She could think of nothing to say that wouldn't sound banal, so she said nothing.
"So who's going to walk you down the aisle?" he asked.
"Roger's best man."
"That's handy."
"Um-huh."
"Got your dress?"
"The final fitting was last week."
"Pretty?"
"I think so."
"I'm sure you'll be a vision."
"I hope my groom thinks so."
"He'd have to be blind."
The conversation ended there, leaving Caroline to wonder how the entryway seemed to have shrunk over the course of their conversation. The air was thicker, the old house smelled mustier. And even though neither of them had moved, he seemed to be closer. She was even more grateful for the card table standing between her and this man who made her nervous.
She glanced at her wristwatch. "Nearly time. I can begin closing up shop."
"I'm sorry you didn't have any takers."
"Me, too. I'm going to urge the sellers to get more aggressive."
"More aggressive?"
"Lower their price."
He snuffled a laugh.
She expected him to tell her good-bye and good luck and leave. But he just stood there. She made a hand gesture and said, "Well..."
"I'll wait and walk you out. That cat might be really pissed off by now."
She freed the cat from the pantry. He was sulky for having been confined but not vicious. She turned out all the lights. She removed the cloth from the card table. Dodge insisted on folding up the chair and table and carrying them out to her car, where he stowed them in the trunk. He pocketed one of her business cards. Then they stood there at the curb facing each other.
Feeling awkward, she worried her car keys. "Thanks for stopping by."
"You're welcome."
"It helped to have company. Talking made that last half hour go faster."