both down on the table, the ends of the tea bags fluttering with the movement.
“I think it’s time you give it a shot. You’ve laid all your...issues to rest, and you deserve some happiness.”
Noelle’s gaze darted to the edge of the rug she’d smoothed out while J.D. had been worshipping her body with his tongue and touch. “I don’t know. Some of the old issues are still hanging around.”
“It’s to be expected.” Tara slurped her tea. “Your husband was shot in front of you, and then his killer turned the gun on you. Who wouldn’t have problems with that? But your issues are not deal breakers when it comes to dating—a little anxiety and—” she waved a hand in the air “—that other stuff.”
The incident in the gallery hadn’t gone down quite like that, but who had to know?
Noelle took a deep breath. “That other stuff is called OCD, and it could definitely be a dating deal breaker.”
Hadn’t it just broken the deal with J.D.?
“Pfft. If you run into some guy who can’t handle that, he’s not worth dating anyway. In fact, that’s a great way to separate the jerks from the good guys.”
Noelle blew on her tea, creating little ripples in the light green liquid. “For someone obsessed with the good guys, you sure spent a lot of time trying to make it work with Ted—not such a good guy.”
“Ouch. What a way to turn the subject on me.”
“Have you seen him since he’s been back?”
“I saw him at the Buck Ridge Lodge last night. Must’ve been just about the time J.D. was crashing his truck. He was with that friend of yours, Bruce Something the Third, who said he’d just had dinner with you and your handyman.”
“Oh, is that why you thought we were dating?”
“Why else would you bring the hired help along to dinner with a friend?”
“You met the friend.”
“He wasn’t so bad—good-looking guy.”
“Bruce must’ve told you he was a third because I don’t think Ted would’ve introduced him like that.”
“Ted didn’t introduce him at all. Bruce took over to make up for your brother’s spotty etiquette.”
“Bruce Pierpont the Third isn’t my type, but you might like him.”
“He’s rich, isn’t he?”
“Loaded.”
“That’s my new type.”
The front door swung open, and J.D. stuck his head inside the house. “Is it safe?”
Tara hopped up from the love seat. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Just want to make sure I’m not intruding.”
Noelle said, “You sure were making a lot of noise out there. Did you finish?”
“Finished tearing out the wood, and I nailed some plywood over the gaps. It’s safe to walk on now.”
“If you do good work, maybe my mom and I can hire you to do some jobs around our ranch. Speaking of Mom, I have to get going, Noelle. I have to pick her up from town, along with a few prescriptions. I dropped Mom off to have lunch with Mrs. Corcoran.”
“Do you think you can pick up a prescription for me?” She glanced at J.D. “No hurry. I’m not currently taking the meds now, but it’s good to have them around.”
“No problem. I’ll pick it up for you.”
“I’ll walk you out.”
“And I’ll make sure you get across that porch safely.” J.D. pushed the front door wider and stepped back outside.
Tara gave her a quick hug. “Take care of that head. I’m so glad you came out of that okay. You can come and pick up the prescription from me later.”
“Will do. Thanks for dropping by.” Noelle stood on the threshold as J.D. took Tara’s arm and guided her down the porch. He’d just scored some more points in Tara’s good-guy tally.
Tara waved before ducking into her truck, and J.D. joined Noelle at the door.
“She’s the suspicious type, isn’t she?”
“Just protective.”
“That’s a good thing.”
The engine of Tara’s truck cranked once and sputtered out. She gave it another try. It revved but never turned over.
“Uh-oh. What is it with you ladies and your trucks?”
J.D. jogged toward the truck. Still in her robe and fuzzy slippers, Noelle stayed put.
He stuck his head under the hood and called out instructions to Tara, but the truck wouldn’t start. Guess he couldn’t fix everything.
Tara stomped across the yard back to the porch. “Can you believe this? I just had Zach work on this piece of junk last month. I hate to ask you, Noelle, but I really have to pick up my mom. Can I borrow your truck? I can bring it back tonight when I get Mom home. I still have the other truck