“This is Wilder, Rose’s—boss.”
I can hear the smile in her response. “Like cowboy bossman?”
“I suppose.”
“Well, howdy. Do you guys say that?”
I laugh. “Rose is asleep.”
She gasps. “Are you at her house? Why? Is she all right? Why is she sleeping now?”
Something about her protectiveness warms my heart. “She’s good. Just had a long day. I’m making sure she stays asleep for a while.”
“Oooh. Well then. Tell her I tried calling her this weekend to see where I should forward her mail, but she didn’t return my call, so I mailed it to her brother’s apartment.”
“Thank you. I’ll give her the message.”
“Wilder?”
I try not to sigh as I answer. “Yeah?”
“She likes tea, shaved chocolate, tulips, and Tetris.”
“Tetris?”
“Sorry, that’s not relevant. Thoughtful surprises.”
“Um .?.?. OK.”
“Cozy bookstores. Keep her away from thrillers, she reads those so she’ll be too afraid to go to sleep.”
I add to the mental notes I keep on this girl, but don’t say as much.
“The message, just the mail thing, that’s it?”
“Do you have a good sense of humor? We need that. I meanshe.?.?. she needs that. We’re just a team in many things, so I always say ‘we.’”
“Thank you, Willow. I’m going to go. It was nice meeting you.”Ithink.
“But whatever you do, don’t give her a cutesy nickname.”
That one makes me pause. After the smudge on her cheek, I’ve been calling herBlue. She seemed to like it.
“Eh .?.?. that one’s more me than her,” she adds.
I smile. “Bye, Willow.”
There’s warmth in her voice and another obvious smile. “Bye .?.?.”
I shake my head as I hang up and finish scrubbing the dirt off Rose’s boots. I twist them in my hands, inspecting every inch. Could use some shine.
I know Millie used to keep leather polish around here. I dig around under the sink and find a small bottle with just enough to get these looking like new.
Few minutes later, I set them down by the door and pull out my phone. I’m about to send a message to Ginger to see if she’s been able to find blue cowgirl hats for the shop, when a message pops up.
Dallas:Changed my mind. Come with me tomorrow?
Wilder:Planned on it.
