Page 65 of Small Town Beast

The old man cleared his throat and looked away. “You can put your tools in that shed out back. I figured I would be sleepin’ there when the roof fell in.”

“It won’t come to that,” Saverin assured him. He put out his hand and Wilks Johnny shook it, sealing the deal.

“Bring your girlfriend up here to meet me next time,” Wilks Johnny requested. His eyes twinkled. “Don’t wear her out too much.”

“I won’t.”

“Next week then, cowboy.”

Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Saverin leaned through the truck window and tapped Tanya’s nose lightly until her absurdly long lashes fluttered open.

“Get up, sleepyhead.”

“I was dreaming,” she mumbled.

“Of what?”

She wiped away the gathering tears and shook her head silently. For a moment he was tempted to break his vow to keep her out of the plans he’d set in motion. With any luck he would soon make Tanya the happiest woman in Virginia…no later than tomorrow. But what if he failed? It would be cruel to get her hopes up.

“What time is it?” She covered a delicate yawn with her hand.

“Five.” Saverin climbed into the driver’s seat and turned the truck on. “I got the whole back unloaded and you didn’t turn a whisker.”

Tanya peered out at the porch, where the old veteran was still sitting. He waved to her and she waved back.

“This doesn’t look like Black Florin,” she observed.

“It’s not.”

“Who’s that man?”

“A friend of mine. Next time you can meet him, but I figured I’d let you rest.”

“Thank you.”

“You hungry?”

She declined. “I have to check onmyfriend,” she said. “I can’t run around with you all night. It’s so late already and I’ve been meaning to see Bee for like three days.”

They drove out of the holler. Saverin was in no hurry to give up his limited time with Tanya but he put his selfish wishes aside. With any luck his scheme tomorrow would win her, or at least make her realize his affections weren’t some passing lust he might have had for any female. His heart, he felt, was true when it came to Tanya. It was alright to wait if it meant he could spend some quality time with her later.

Passing his cousin Laura Jane’s house, he considered mentioning the connection. After all, Laura Jane owned the Appletree where Tanya worked. But since he’d already determined to have a private talk with Laura about her it was best let sleeping dogs lie for now.

“What’s wrong with your friend?” He asked instead.

“Who, Bee? It’s really her husband that’s the problem.”

Saverin eyed her sideways. “Well, ain’t that her business?”

“You don’t know her husband.”

At that moment Tanya’s phone chimed. “Speak of the devil,” She said. Annoyance flashed in her big brown eyes as she read the message. “She says Durk is home and she doesn’t want me coming over. But I know Durk isalwaysout of town on Tuesdays. She’s lying!”

Saverin didn’t know where Tanya got her friends with the strange names, but if Bee or Flea or whatever her name was didn’t want to hang he saw no reason to force it. He envisioned taking Tanya back to his place, or maybe out to dinner. “Maybeshe just wants some time to herself,” he suggested, not without some satisfaction.

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