flicker of interest in Sharon Lynn’s eyes, but nothing more.
“The Doc told me today that he intends to close it down.”
Sharon Lynn blinked rapidly at that, then turned slowly to face Patsy. “He’s closing it?”
“Well, you know he’s been thinking of retiring for some time. You told me that yourself. I guess he’s decided it’s time.”
Sharon Lynn frowned. “But he knew I was thinking about buying it.”
“I guess he figured since the accident and all, you wouldn’t be interested, and he didn’t want to wait around until another buyer showed up. I guess he’s anxious to move on down to the Gulf Coast and go fishing.”
The news clearly agitated her friend. Sharon Lynn began to fiddle with the pretty flowered comforter that was drawn up to her chin.
“This couldn’t have come at a worse time,” Patsy said sorrowfully.
“What do you mean?”
“I guess you haven’t heard. My husband, Will, he showed up in town today and bashed down the door at Dolan’s.” Her shudder at the memory was only slightly exaggerated for Sharon Lynn’s benefit. “Maybe that was the final straw for Doc. I don’t know. Anyway, Will’s in jail, and Janet’s about to file divorce and custody papers. It’s going to be expensive, and I’m out of a job again.”
“You don’t need to worry about that. Janet won’t take your money, anyway.”
“Of course she will. I’m not accepting charity. It’s important to me to prove I can stand on my own two feet. I’m sure you can understand that. Dolan’s has always represented a certain amount of independence to you, too, hasn’t it?”
“Yes, I suppose it has. I’ve never thought about it that way before. I just knew I liked working there. It gave me my own identity away from the family’s ranching. Plus I was following in my mother’s footsteps. She and Daddy did most of their courting in that place while she ran the lunch counter.”
“There, you see?” Patsy said brightly. “I knew you’d understand.” Then she sighed heavily. “Of course, I can probably find another job in another town.”
Sharon Lynn appeared genuinely shocked by the suggestion. “And leave Justin? You would do that to him?”
“Well, I wouldn’t want to, but—”
The next thing she knew, Sharon Lynn had tossed off the comforter and was climbing out of bed. She brushed past Patsy.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, get out of my way.”
Patsy barely contained a hoot of triumph. “Why? Where are you going? Should you be out of bed?”
“I should have been out of bed days ago. As for where I’m going, you know perfectly well, I’m going to have a talk with Doc Dolan. I will not let Dolan’s be closed down, and if anybody’s going to buy that place, it’s going to be me.”
Patsy regarded her innocently. “If you’re sure...”
“I’m sure.”
Patsy kept up a steady barrage of doubts all the way to the front door, right past a gaping Harlan Adams. After they’d waltzed past him, Patsy turned around and caught his wink. Obviously Janet had filled him in on the plan, though he was clearly stunned to see it had worked.
“I really don’t know if you should be going all the way into town your first day out of bed,” Patsy said, along with half a dozen other protests designed to keep Sharon Lynn just irritated enough not to back down.
“Oh, will you just shut up,” Sharon Lynn finally snapped. “I’m going and that’s final.”
“If you say so.”
“Well, I do.”
Outside, though, Sharon Lynn came to an abrupt halt. Patsy regarded her worriedly. “What is it? Is something wrong? Are you feeling faint?”
“I don’t have a car,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “And even if I did, I couldn’t... I don’t think I can ever drive again.”
Patsy reached for her hand and squeezed. “Then isn’t it a good thing that my car is here? I’ll drive you into town, if that’s what you want.”
For a moment, Sharon Lynn looked as if she might back down, but then she squared her shoulders. “Perfect. I’m sure Justin or someone in the family will be coming out this way later. I can hitch a ride home with them.”
“Or I’ll bring you back. It’s not a problem.”
“Whatever.” She walked over to Patsy’s car and reached for the handle of the passenger door, then faltered. She swallowed hard. “I’m not sure...”
Patsy sensed that Sharon Lynn had to do this today or she might never try again. “You’ll be fine. I’ll drive very carefully.”