Page 32 of Loved By Tandy

I pat my bum. “Lots and lots of chocolate. He knows my weakness for all things sweet.”

Mindy sets a charcuterie board on the table. “Matthew seems pretty sweet. Is he part of the weakness?”

“No.” My answer is a bit too abrupt, and I know the ladies won’t miss that, but I don’t backpedal. “But I’m not going to find anyone better to build my house and all the other structures I want on the ranch.” I pat Stephanie’s arm. “I took Blake’s suggestion.”

She hands me a plate. “Good. I’m happy you and Matthew are getting to spend time together. Between you and me, I think he gets lonely out there on his little ranch. Blake goes over to play chess with him from time to time, but I’m glad he has you.”

Ava leans forward. “I also heard that your handyman is staying with you. If he ever needs a hot meal, he’s always welcome at the ranch.”

I laugh. Ava would feed the whole world if she could. “I’ll keep that in mind. But so far, he seems to like what I’m making. They poured the foundation on his place this morning. I am so excited. This dream is starting to feel attainable. Like it could be real.”

Ava wraps me in a hug. “We are so excited for you. And think of all the lonely people out there who will find love because of you. They just don’t know it yet.”

Lilith pours us all wine, then lifts her glass. “To dreams and happily-ever-afters.”

That’s something I’ll happily drink to.

I wave her off when she starts to pour me a refill. “That’s plenty for me.” If I’d planned better, I would’ve arranged for a ride home. But it’s out of the way for all these ladies.

Beau’s face shows up on Lilith’s screen, and she slips out. “Be right back.”

The poker game must not be going his way if he’s stopping to call Lilith. Hopefully, Matthew is winning tonight.

Lilith returns a few minutes later and sets her phone down. “Matthew said he’d take you home if you want another glass. No pressure.”

Rolling my eyes as the other ladies laugh, I hold out my glass. “Fill her up.”

By the end of the night, I’ve admitted to these ladies that I like having Matthew around as if it wasn’t already obvious to all of them. They’re all supportive. They don’t tease—even though after all the meddling I’ve done, I kind of deserve that—but they encourage me and cheer on my friendship. Granted, they all grinned when they used that word.

I love these ladies.

The husbands show up, and Matthew is with them. He lingers at the door and winks when I glance his way.

So I saunter over. “Thanks for offering to drive.”

“My pleasure. How many glasses did you have?” He lifts an eyebrow, that delicious sparkle in his green eyes.

I shake my head. “Not enough to say more than I intend.”

His chuckle turns my insides gooey, and I feel young again. Maybe that’s why I like Matthew. He’s a reminder of my youth, that long-ago span of life I miss, but only a little. Because all the ladies that say life starts at forty are onto something.

The next fewweeks fly by, and not once does Matthew mention kissing me, which I’m thankful for. Until I’m not.

But I’m not going to bring it up.

But it’s not like I don’t have the opportunity because Matthew and I now spend a lot of time together, either at my house or on the ranch.

Colt’s house is finished in record time, which I want to think is helped by the breakfast tacos I take out there whenever a crew is onsite. And nearly every day, Matthew and I meet at the ranch early and walk. At first, he came to my place to walk, but there was no sense in him doing all that driving. The ranch is closer to his place, so I insisted we start meeting there.

I look forward to our morning walks. We talk about projects on the ranch, small-town gossip.

What we don’t talk about is our past. The night in the bedroom is rarely mentioned. I haven’t offered details about my life away from here. For the most part, we focus on the here and now. It’s probably for the best.

Matthew kicks a rock out of the path. “Colt’s place should be finished soon.”

“I figured. From the outside, it looks done. Everything okay?”

He nods. “Today is Catherine’s birthday. Tonight, I’m going over to David and Patsy’s. Not sure if you know them. Those are Eli’s parents.”

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