The Delivery of Decor (Shiloh Ridge Ranch in Three Rivers #7) - Liz Isaacson Page 0,92

a memory like a vault, because she’d told him that years ago, on perhaps their third or fourth date. They’d only had a couple more after that before she’d ended things with him.

“Yes,” she said. “And that’s reason number three I don’t want her to go.” June had a handful more, but they were mostly trivial things that Lucy Mae and any other reasonable person could explain away.

“Reason number four is that you’ll miss her,” Judge said. He gave her a soft smile that made him even more beautiful, stepped back, and closed her door. She watched him round the front of the truck with calm, cool strides, and she mentally commanded herself to be the same way.

She’d called him “cowboy” last summer, and she’d told him to keep his pants on when he was literally losing his. Up at the ranch, June was in charge. He called her to come fix his WiFi network and upgrade his systems so he could run his Christmas light display for the annual contest Three Rivers sponsored.

To her knowledge, he’d never won, but he sure did try hard. June had seen every one of his light displays for the past four Christmases, and they got better and better each year. Judge possessed some serious tenacity, she’d give him that. He had to, because he was still interested in her, all these months later.

He got behind the wheel of the truck and buckled his seatbelt. June watched his every move, including how he reached to twist the key in the ignition and then reach to turn down the volume on the radio.

“You’re right,” she said. “I will miss her. It’s just been me and her forever, it seems.”

“How long?” Judge asked, glancing at her. “I should’ve asked first: Is The Tea Room okay?”

“The Tea Room?” June had never heard of it. “Sounds fussy.”

“I think it is kind of fussy,” Judge said with a smile. “But I wore my best boots and my dress hat.” He reached up and touched the dark brown cowboy hat, drawing June’s attention there.

For some reason, she licked her lips. “I suppose I can handle fussy food tonight.”

“I’ve heard the soup is good,” he said. “That’s what they’re saying on Two Cents anyway.”

And June loved soup—another little tidbit she’d told him eons ago. June shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Would she be able to remember little facts about him? Her mind blanked, and June simply stared out the front windshield.

“Do you help Ranger with the app at all?” she finally asked. Her phone buzzed in her purse, and June wished she’d employed her selective features before leaving the house. That way, she’d only get calls or texts from Lucy Mae, not all of her employees or her neighbor who constantly lost her cat and wanted June’s help to find it.

Judge cleared his throat. “No,” he said simply, but it almost sounded like he’d barked the word.

“Is that a sore subject?” she asked, almost a teasing lilt to her voice. Before Judge could answer, her phone started buzzing in earnest. “Just a sec. Someone’s calling me.” She tugged her phone free of her purse to find Lucy Mae’s name on the screen. “It’s Lucy Mae.”

“Answer it,” he said.

She swiped the phone icon up to connect the call. “Hey, baby. What’s going on?”

“Mom, I’m so sorry, but I think you better come back.”

“Why?” June asked, signaling to Judge that he better slow down and turn around. He did, no questions asked.

“The cops just showed up,” Lucy Mae said. “They want to talk to you.”

“I’ll be right there,” June said. “I’ll stay on the line, okay?” She pulled the phone away from her ear. “I’m so sorry, Judge, but apparently, there are some police officers at my house who need to speak with me.”

“I see,” he said, sliding her a grin while he flipped around. “Something you need to tell me, June?”

She gaped at him and then burst into giggles. He laughed too, and while June really wanted to go to dinner with him, and talk with him, and get to know him, she told herself there would be another opportunity.

She’d make sure there was another opportunity.

As they quieted, and Judge went back the way they’d already come, June said a silent prayer that the cops weren’t there for her or Lucy Mae, but only to get information about someone’s network or Internet usage.

Please, please, please, she thought, hoping the Lord wouldn’t think her too dramatic. He pulled into the driveway and June