Page 144 of The Lonely Road

The canyon is getting darker now—I can still see the mountains in the light of the setting sun.

A truck barrels down his driveway—and even though it’s not a Wrangler, my heartbeats surge.

Could it be her?

It’s not. It’s Dilbert. Eunice’s nephew. He parks and comes up to the porch with a paper bag.

“I tried, Mac, but she drowned it in sauce.”

“Heartless bitch.” Mac takes the bag.

He tips his hat at me. “Eunice wants you to know that you’re a dirtbag.”

I narrow my eyes. How the fuck does she know I’m here? Mav. Or just the air around here whispers gossip.

He waves both hands, palms out. “I didn’t say it. She did. She told me I had to say it to you if I saw you.”

I let out a long, elaborate sigh. “It’s alright, Dilbert. You also think I’m a dirtbag.”

“Yes, sir, I do,” he tells me politely.

Mac studies me as if he’s waiting for something.

“What?”

“You gonna pay him or what?”

Right. I gotta pay him. I pull out a twenty and hand it to Dilbert. He turns to me and then to Mac.

“Kaz says you got money.” Mac glowers at me. “Give the boy a tip, Brooks. Don’t be a stingy asshole.”

“Eunice’s meatloaf is ten bucks. I’m giving him a 100% tip.” I pull out another twenty. Dilbert takes it and winks at me.

“It’s fucking highway robbery,” I mutter.

As he drives off, Mac goes to his front door with his iPad and dinner. “Brooks, you messed with Taya, and Wildflower Canyon ain’t happy about that. So…you know, be prepared to get your ass handed to you until she forgives you.”

“Will she?”

Mac opens his door, his back to me.

“Mac? Will she forgive me?” I ask again.

Another bark of laughter comes from him. “Lovesick sumbitch,” he remarks and then goes inside without giving me an answer.

CHAPTER 36

mason

Eunice Knowles is behind the counter at the Horseshoe.

She sees me come in and watches as I take a seat at the counter. Then, she picks up a glass of water from the tray beside her, walks to me, and pours it directly on my head.

It’s a full glass.

Cold.

The ice lands on my shoulder.