“Not at all,” she said, then winced. “But you’re supposed to drive with both hands on the wheel.”
He released her reluctantly. “That’s one of the things I like about you. You follow the rules.”
“Not always,” she said. “But I have learned that some rules are there for a reason.” She gave him a quick sideways glance as he started the car. “But you could hold my hand when we get to the mall. I can’t think of a single rule that would break.”
Ty’s mouth curved into that smile that made her knees weak. “Me, neither,” he said.
Annie felt as if she were floating on air. She’d taken a risk and it had paid off. She and Ty were a couple. Or almost a couple. Better than just friends, anyway. Heck, she didn’t know what they were, but it felt good.
* * *
Ronnie was spitting mad. Dana Sue had successfully evaded every single attempt he’d made to get her in to see Doc Marshall. Tuesday’s promise had turned into Wednesday’s, then Friday’s. He’d spent most of each day trying to catch up with her, but it seemed no matter where he looked or called, he’d just missed her. Either she was slippery as an eel or her friends were covering for her. And he had too much respect for her professionalism to barge into the kitchen at Sullivan’s and make a scene—though he was only a hairsbreadth away from doing so.
In fact, the only thing that would prevent the two of them from having a major blowup at the restaurant tonight was the presence of Butch Thompson. If Butch hadn’t especially requested dinner at Sullivan’s, Ronnie wouldn’t have gone within ten miles of the place, fearing what he might say or do when he finally crossed paths with Dana Sue.
Butch and his wife were already seated at a table when he arrived. Ronnie forced a smile, greeted Jessie Thompson with a kiss on the cheek, then shook Butch’s hand.
“Sorry I’m late.”
“We were early,” Butch said. “I’ve been itching to get a look at this menu all day long. Even Jessie’s declared a night off from her no-meat rule.”
Ronnie chuckled. “Then I highly recommend the meat loaf. It’s one of the specialties here. With red bliss mashed potatoes, you’ll think you’re back in your mama’s kitchen.”
“Not my mama’s,” Jessie declared. “She couldn’t cook worth a lick. That’s why I learned so young, so the family wouldn’t starve to death or die from eating too many things turned to charcoal. I did everything the old-fashioned, Southern way, too. It’s a wonder our blood can still find a way through our arteries.”
Butch patted her hand. “You’ve made up for it, Jessie. We’re eating real healthy now. In fact, I’m sure all that oatmeal has sopped up any cholesterol that’s slipped past you. A break tonight won’t hurt either one of us.”
She laughed. “It’s not that bad,” she told Ronnie. “Butch likes people to take pity on him.” She gave Ronnie a knowing look. “The way you did when you took him out for that steak a few months back.”
“Whoops!” Ronnie murmured. “I guess she caught us.”
“Said she could smell it on my breath,” Butch confessed. “But I think it’s just some sixth sense she has about when I’ve strayed from the straight and narrow.”
Butch winked at his wife, reminding Ronnie of what a lasting marriage could be—two people who might bicker and tease, but who loved each other despite all their foibles.
“So, Ronnie, are you going to lure your ex-wife out of the kitchen so we can meet her?” Jessie asked.
He stiffened. “We’ll see,” he said tightly.
Butch gave him an odd look, obviously picking up on the tension in his voice. “Things going okay on that front?”
“We’ve hit a little impasse over something, but we’ll fix it,” Ronnie assured him, his gaze drifting toward the door to the kitchen, where he was hoping to catch a glimpse of Dana Sue as the waitstaff went in and out.
Brenda bounced up to the table just then and grinned at him. “Hi, Mr. Sullivan. Does Dana Sue know you’re here?”
“No, and don’t bother her. I’m sure she’s busy.”
“It’s crazy in there,” Brenda confided. “Karen called in and bailed on her again. Third time this week. Dana Sue’s looking pretty frazzled.”
Frazzled wasn’t good, Ronnie thought. If he could have, he would have canceled this meeting and gone to lend her a hand. Instead, he forced a smile for Butch and Jessie. “You ready to order?”
“The meat loaf’s come highly recommended,” Butch said. “I’ll have that.”
“Make it two,” Jessie chimed in.
“Might as well be three,” Ronnie said.
After the waitress had gone, he looked at his partner. “Any particular reason you wanted to meet tonight?”
“Aside from the prospect of a good meal, you mean?” Butch said. “I just wanted to congratulate you on the way things are going. I’ve looked over those reports you’ve been faxing to me, and you’re well ahead of projections. That tells me you’re working hard.”
“Trying to,” Ronnie said. “Things should really start hopping after the first of the year. I want to justify the faith you had in me.”
“Maybe you’re trying a little too hard,” Butch suggested, his expression one of concern.
Ronnie stared at him. “What do you mean? How can I possibly be trying too hard?”
“This business wasn’t the only thing that brought you back to Serenity, was it?”
“You know it wasn’t,” Ronnie said.
“How much time have you spent with your daughter and your ex-wife since you opened the business?”
“Not as much as I’d like,” he admitted.
“Don’t take your eye off the real prize here,” Butch told him. “What good is a thriving company if you don’t have someone to share your life with?”
Jessie smiled. “Listen to him, Ronnie. He’s the voice of experience. I said something very much like this to him thirty-five years ago. He took it to heart, which is one reason we’re still together. I wouldn’t have given you two cents for
