point, I’m not still in the same category as ‘the rest of the world’.”
Anne blushed and smiled softly. “You’re not.”
I wanted to kiss her, but lil’ Murphy was gazing up at us with wide, inquisitive eyes. I winked at him and backed off a bit.
“Well then. If I’ve earned my place on the next level of Anne Johnson’s life, how ‘bout you prove it? Come to the campfire tonight. Bring Murphy. He’ll love it, and you might actually have fun too. No high heels allowed.” I waited expectantly for her answer, reading a myriad of emotions as they crossed her face.
I knew she wanted to come, but she was hesitating hardcore.
“Do you really think that your family is going to... I mean, I’m already probably not what they want for you. And now they’re gonna find out I’m a single mom – I don’t see that going well, Penn.” She was visibly troubled, but every time she peeked down at Murphy her smile returned. She couldn’t help it.
He really is her everything.
“I think that maybe you assume my family is a lot more judge-y than they actually are. Maybe you’re being the judge-y one. Ha. Take that.”
“I am not judge-y.” Anne’s jaw dropped in disbelief, and I had to laugh.
Conversations with Anne were something like a game of Battleship. You knew you could get to her, but you had to fire the right shots. It took a little guesstimation.
“So you’re coming, then.” My smile widened.
“Penn, I didn’t say –”
“Oh, God. The judge-y face is back.”
Murphy giggled from his spot on the floor. I wasn’t sure how much he understood of the conversation between his mother and I, but he sure as heck was enjoying it.
Anne let out a dramatic sigh. “Fine.”
“Fine? What does fine mean?” I kept my face as innocent as possible, knowing I was aggravating the living hell out of her.
“Fine means fine! I’ll come. We’ll come.” Anne put a hand to her forehead like she’d just promised to sacrifice her entire life.
She wasn’t being dramatic now. She really wanted to come, and she really had some unknown reasons to be worried about it.
I wanted to just ask her outright. Tell me what you’re scared of, because you are clearly freaked out about something other than my family.
But Anne would tell me whatever it was when she was ready.
I hoped.
“Awesome! I’ll write down some directions, just in case good ol’ GPS decides to strand you in the Colorado woods. Wouldn’t want you to get eaten by bears.” Murphy’s eyes went wide again and I chortled, shaking my head. “No, bud. I’m just kiddin’. No bears. I promise.”
Anne’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Are there bears?”
I dropped my volume accordingly. “Yes. But not on the roads. Just don’t take off hiking in a random direction. You’ll be fine.” I continued to scrawl on a tiny post-it, still laughing a little.
“I’m not a stranger to hiking, Penn.” The sentence itself wasn’t troublesome, and when I looked up Anne’s face was pleasant enough. But there had been an edge to her voice when she spoke those words.
“Oh. Well. Good. Cuz we do that a lot too.” I tried to keep my face neutral. It wasn’t too difficult, because I was completely lost.
“What time?” Anne was still watching Murphy play. I felt like she’d somehow mentally teleported a million miles away.
“Nightfall, usually. But I’ll just say eight. That sound good?”
“Eight is Murphy’s bedtime, normally,” Anne murmured, suddenly sounding very much like the mother that she was.
“Well maybe Murphy can live on the wild side tonight. Whatcha’ think, Murph?” His blond head was already bobbing up and down ecstatically. “I think you’ve been outnumbered, Mom.”
She really had. Anne raised her arms in defeat. “Fine. Okay. But just tonight, buddy.” She attempted to be stern with Murphy, but her smile made it highly unconvincing. Then she turned her serious face toward mine again. “Just. Tonight.”
Anne was slightly more convincing now.
“Of course.” I saluted, and she rolled her eyes.
When I was back in my truck, I closed my eyes and leaned my head back. Triumph. Anne was coming to the ranch.
Just tonight, my butt.
“So what is it about this girl, Penn?” Payden leaned against his pitchfork, while I leaned on the fence.
Gaston, Payden’s horse, was basically leaning against Payden. Those two were thick as thieves. Payden was only ten years old when he picked out Gaston. They’d been inseparable ever since.
I’d tracked him down immediately upon returning home. For some reason, I wanted his opinion.
“She’s