Page 14 of Loved By Tandy

Laughing, I glance at Matthew and wave, just to rub it in a bit more. “He’s an old boyfriend.”

“I bet he doesn’t like it when you call him old.” Colt pulls away from the curb, then hands me a card. “Here’s a place where you can order a custom gate. Sutton recommended this guy.”

“Thanks, Colt. This just worked out perfectly. My friend Joji was going to pick me up, but she got busy making cheese. Then you called and asked if I needed anything. It saves Joji the trip to get me. She’s going to help me buy a truck. Once I get that, I can drive onto the ranch by myself.”

“Well, first of all, they are supposed to lay down pavement starting on Monday, and then your car shouldn’t have any issues. And second, I’m not sure how I feel about you tromping around out there all on your lonesome.”

“It’s sweet that you’re worried about me, but I’ll be fine. I might be old, but I’m not going to do anything crazy. I won’t go climbing any trees or crossing rivers in a canoe without a paddle.”

He shoots me a quizzical look. “Why do I feel like there’s a story behind each of those things?”

“There is. But the stories didn’t happen to me. I’m just using those as examples.”

Colt gives a low chuckle. “You crack me up, Miss Tandy.”

He’s such a sweet guy. And I will find Colt a match if it’s the last thing I do. He’ll make some lady a mighty fine sweetheart.

As he turns into the goat farm, I explain why I’m taking Joji with me. “She has experience buying trucks. More specifically, she has experience buying the wrong truck. It was way too big forher. She needed a crate on a string to get in and out. But anyway, she’s going to make sure I don’t make any crazy decisions.”

“So that you won’t be swayed by a paint color.”

“I’ll totally be swayed by a paint—” Joji’s place comes into view, and I laugh. “Cheese, my foot.”

Clint is standing in the doorway, back to us, and Joji has her arms around his neck and her legs wrapped around his middle. At least they’re both dressed.

Colt starts laughing. “She’s busy, but she ain’t making cheese.”

I lean over and tap the horn.

“No, ma’am. Don’t do that.” Colt can be bossy.

Joji peeks around Clint and waves.

“Those two haven’t stopped touching each other since she collapsed on the porch. I swear. They act more like teenagers than actual teenagers.”

Colt quirks an eyebrow. “That makes no sense. And they look happy, so what does it matter. Or are you jealous?” He dances his eyebrows. “Maybe I should be matching you with your old flame.”

I swing the door open and slide out of the truck. “Over my dead body.” I give the door a shove, and it slams shut, trapping his boisterous laughter in the cab. I don’t want to hear it.

I have no interest in rekindling anything with Matthew Gallagher.

“Hi, Tandy.” Clint tips his hat and walks to his truck.

Joji skips off the porch, grinning. “Iwasmaking cheese. But then he stopped by for a minute.”

“I’m not judging.”

She nods toward the dust kicked up by Colt’s retreating tires. “That your new wrangler?”

“Yep. Nice kid.”

“Come on in. I’ll put on my shoes and grab my purse.” She pushes open her front door. “And how’s Matthew?”

“Annoying as ever.” I haven’t said much about my past relationship with him, but my close friends know that I don’t speak to him. They’ve seen me avoid him and refuse to speak to him. But news that I’m no longer ignoring him has probably spread.

“I heard y’all are on speaking terms again.” She flashes another grin. “Spill it, lady.”

“No tea to spill. We were both at a backyard barbecue. And we talked. Like normal people.”

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