Page 29 of Loved By Tandy

It’s too dark to see the twinkle in his eye, but I know it’s there.

And that makes me happy.

It’s latewhen Colt slips in the front door. He jumps when he sees me on the sofa. “Yikes. Why are you sitting in the dark?”

“I was scrolling on my phone. Watching videos and such.”

“And waiting for me to get back?” He flashes a crooked grin. “I was building that dog a place to sleep. No one has claimed him, and when that mutt isn’t trying to kill me, I like having him around.”

“If you want to bring him home with you at night, the cats can sleep in my room. They do most of the time anyway.”

He shrugs. “We’ll see. I might take you up on that.”

“And if you’re going to keep him, choose a name.” I stand and tuck my phone in my pocket. “I probably shouldn’t have waited up, but after that roof kerfuffle, I worry.”

“You worried before that.”

“There’s a plate of food in the fridge for you.”

“You’re the best, Miss Tandy.” He sets his hat aside and runs his fingers through his hair. “And between you and me, I don’t mind you worrying. It’s nice to know someone is thinking about me.”

I pat his arm as I walk past him. “Night, Colt.”

CHAPTER 12

MATTHEW

Colt is pulling out of the driveway when I stop in front of Tandy’s house. He hasn’t made any implications about all the time I’m spending with Tandy, and I appreciate it.

He makes himself scarce some evenings, and I do worry that he’s staying away to give me time alone with her. I don’t want to chase the kid off, but I do appreciate the time I get with Tandy.

Before I knock, Tandy steps out onto the porch in a yellow jogging suit. She looks a bit like a sunflower in full bloom. Minus the big round part in the middle.

“Morning, sunshine. You look ready for a walk.”

Her gaze slides down to my feet. “I’m a bit surprised you even own a pair of tennis shoes.”

“I’m always angling to surprise you, Tandy. My boots are in the truck because there is no way I’m working out at the ranch in these.”

She shouts back into the house. “Chip and Dale, you boys behave. I’ll be home in a bit.”

“Think they understand you?”

After a shrug, she laughs. “Doesn’t matter anyway because they don’t listen. They’re either asleep or misbehaving. Thismorning, I found Dale on top of my fridge, trying to open the canister of treats I keep up there. They’re a mess.”

“Thanks for walking with me.”

We stroll down the sidewalk.

“Next time, I’ll just meet you at the ranch and we can walk there. I was thinking about it this morning. You live halfway to the ranch. There is no point in you driving all the way over here, just to double back.”

“Either way is fine. I don’t mind coming to your house.” I walk close to the road, acting as a buffer between her and danger. “The foundation for Colt’s house is being poured today. It won’t take long to build his place. Then we’ll focus on your house.”

“What about the lovers’ cabins?”

“One thing at a time.” I’ve made a timeline, and with some luck, we might have the place ready to open by Thanksgiving. That’s months and months away, and it’ll take a lot of work, but that’s my goal.

Tandy zips the front of her jacket. “It’s chilly out. The weather has been so weird. Cold then hot. Mother Nature needs to make up her mind.”

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