Page 25 of Loved By Tandy

“That works. And you should probably tell Haley who the friend is. I’ll call Tandy when I hang up.” I end the call and click Tandy’s name, then wind my way through the ranch to the barn.

“What’s up, Matthew?”

“Haley and Zach invited me to dinner, and you’re invited too.” I round the corner and shout a word that would’ve gotten my kids a lecture.

Colt is dangling from the roof of the barn. And there is a dog next to the overturned ladder, barking up a storm.

“I gotta go. I’ll call you back.”

“Do not hang up!” Tandy sounds panicked. “What’s wrong?”

Without bothering to end the call, I jump out of the truck and race toward Colt. “When did you get a dog?”

“Thank God you showed up. I was just about to risk dropping to the ground. The mutt is a stray. He seemed friendly, but now I’m wondering if he’s trying to kill me.”

I stand the ladder back up, and as Colt gets his feet steady in the top rung, the dog tries to climb up. Now I know how Colt ended up like that.

“Easy there, rock head, you gotta let the man climb down.” I tug the dog away from the ladder and get my face licked for my trouble. “You just want attention, don’t you? Where do you belong?”

Colt sighs as he steps on solid ground, then pats the dog’s head. “I’ll ask around, but it’s possible someone dumped him, which is sad.”

“Why were you up there?” I nod to the roof.

“Checking for hail damage. I was about to climb down when the ladder fell over.”

“Let’s get this fella some food, and—” I remember that Tandy is still wondering what happened. “Dang it. I need to talk to Tandy.” I run back to the truck.

Colt shouts, “Don’t tell Tandy. She’ll just worry.”

“A little too late for that, I think.” I settle into the driver’s seat.

“A little too late for what?” Tandy is nearly screaming. “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.” The road noise in the background makes it clear that she’s in her truck.

Since it’s at least a twenty-five-minute drive from her place to here, she’s speeding. “Slow down, woman. Colt isn’t hurt. No one is.”

She unleashes her frustration on me.

I sort of deserve it for leaving her hanging. But better her than Colt in this case. “If you’re done, I will explain. A stray dog knocked over a ladder, but I pulled up just in time and saved the day.”

“You tell Colt that I don’t want him on a ladder unless there is someone else around. I mean it.”

“I’ll tell him. You can turn around and go home if you want. Everything here is fine.”

“I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

“Drive safe.” Now I have the pleasure of telling Colt that Tandy will be perpetually worried about him. And that he’ll get to hear that from her in twenty minutes.

CHAPTER 11

TANDY

Why didn’t I tell Matthew that I’d just meet him over there? And why am I even invited? I know Haley. And I like Haley. We get along and have lunch occasionally.

But I don’t have dinner with them. In their home.

The invitation to the barbecue was an unexpected surprise. And Cami is the reason for that. But she’s not the reason I’m invited tonight. And that has me curious.

Matthew pulls up to the curb and gets out of the truck. The man has aged well. His hair is silver, and his gait has changed. It’s less youthful strut and more measured stride. But the forever twinkle in his eye is a constant reminder of the younger version. And he hasn’t lost his charm.

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