Page 64 of Mending Fences
“To which you have been giving one- and two-word answers. I’ll drive.”
“Do you even know how?”
“I have a license. I just never use it. I think I have a red car I have only driven once or twice.”
Daniel shook his head. “That is a Lamborghini, and if you want to keep a low profile, which I do, it’s the wrong car. We can take my car.”
“Good. I left my duffel on Bonnie’s desk. I don’t like driving that far.”
The caretaker’s house was empty, as Hastings’s security team had left, choosing to hire a local firm to watch over the property since they were more bodyguards than guard dogs. Daniel made the necessary call to let the local firm know they were on the property.
Colin pulled open the refrigerator door. “Tabasco and an expired yogurt.” The freezer held a bag of peas that testified they had been used more than once as an ice pack. “Even the cupboards are bare. Let’s go get something. I am starving.”
Daniel tossed Colin his keys. “You go.”
Colin raised his eyebrow. “You sure you want me to drive?”
“No one can know I am here.”
Colin disappeared through the door. An engine came to life, followed by a sickening thunk-thud. Daniel winced. By the time he reached the car, Colin had already inspected the damage. “I only damaged the trunk—car and tree.”
Daniel rolled his eyes at the bad pun. “Promise me never to ever back up in your Lamborghini.”
“But it is in my garage. I’d have to back up to get it out.” Colin held up his hands in surrender.
“Precisely. Hop in. Let’s go get some food.”
“Just admit it. That was a terrible ending. I swear the actress cringed every time she kissed him.”
“I agree. Zero chemistry. How can you not have chemistry with him?” Mandy smiled.
“You know by now that chemistry takes more than good looks. Remember when we both thought Coach Robb was hot?” Candace opened her car door.
“Then he opened his mouth.” Both girls laughed.
“Ice cream?”
Mandy groaned. “I feel like that is all I have eaten this month.”
“Okay, then we can get some sorbet, too.” Candace headed her car in the direction of the little local market.
Only one checkout was open, and the cashier sat pondering her nails. Candace made a beeline for the frozen foods with Mandy in her wake.
“Raspberry-lemonade sherbet. That looks good.” Candace licked her lips.
Mandy grabbed a couple of frozen dinners before joining Candace. “It would be a change from ‘Chocolaty, Choc, Choc, Chocolate.’”
“Hey, Candace,” a voice called from the end of the aisle, “nice hair.”
Mandy froze. Colin? Here? And Daniel?
Candace tossed her pale-mint ombre locks. “This old thing? How kind of you.”
For a moment Mandy considered diving under the cart or crawling behind the half gallons of vanilla. Too late.
“Candace. Mandy.” Daniel nodded at them.
“Isn’t this a coincidence? We were getting ice cream. Any chance you two want to help us eat it?” Candace grabbed a half gallon of fudge ripple and added it to the cart.
