Page 2 of Lonesome Moon

“He needs the seat moved forward a bit,” Luci said to Jerry.

“Switch sides,” Jerry said. “I’ll move the other seat up. You’re not the only one with long legs.”

“Are you sure?” I asked Luci, but she didn’t answer, already out the door and coming around the front of the car. I scooted to the right. Jerry, as promised, moved the seat to allow for my legs.

“Thank you,” I said to Jerry as Luci settled in beside me.

She didn’t take up nearly the amount of seat I did.

Warm now, I shrugged out of my jacket and placed it over hers, creating a small mound on the seat between us. Luci watched me with big eyes, almost like she was trying to figure out what I was going to do next.

“You look good,” I said.

“Thank you. I’m exhausted. Work’s been way too busy. You’re looking well.” She wrapped a hand around my upper arm and gave it a squeeze. “You seem bigger than the last time I saw you.”

I looked down at her hand. Her fingers didn’t come close to circling my arm. “Same size, far as I know. How about you?”

She blinked. “What?”

“Never mind.” God, I always went right into idiot mode around her. It was just that she was so pretty and she smelled so good—vanilla with a hint of bourbon.

“Well, it’s good to see you,” Luci said.

“You too.” I’d already said that.

She let go, and I reached for my seat belt.

“About an hour to the ranch,” Jerry said.

An hour.

Luci settled back beside me. “I’m so glad we get to ride together.”

“Me too,” I said.

Which was the problem.

“How have you been?” Luci asked.

“I’m fine. The tour, you know, kept us busy.”

“Are you happy to have some time off?” Luci asked.

“I am, yeah.”

“Me too. It took some convincing, but Jack talked me into hiring another doctor to take my place at the clinic for the month. I haven’t had the holidays off since that Thanksgiving we all spent at Jack’s. I’m trying not to freak out that I’m not there.”

“Who did you find to replace you?” Luci ran a pay-what-you-can pediatric clinic in a rural community an hour or so from Nashville.

“Just a temp,” Luci said. “There are doctors who like variety in their work and location, so it wasn’t hard to find someone. Even though the salary isn’t as competitive as a big hospital or chain, we found someone with a good resume and reputation. This time of year there are always a lot of sick kids.”

“I’m glad you’ll have a vacation. I’m sure you deserve it,” I said.

“Can you believe Jack’s getting married?” She tossed her blonde hair behind her shoulders. I could not understand how anyone’s hair could be as thick and glossy as hers. It was like she stole it from a shampoo commercial.

I shook my head. “Not really, no. But Ivy. You know. She’s special.”

“Right. Soulmates. That’s what Jack says anyway. Said he knew it the moment she walked into the recording booth.”