“I kept it in here to protect it, but you can move it out anytime you want. Wouldn’t mind getting some more space in here. Keys are in the jockey box.”
“You mean the glove compartment?” she teased as she reached for the keys.
“Guess that’s what you gals call it. So do you know how to drive three-on-the-tree?”
“What?” She held up the keys.
“It’s how you shift gears. All on the steering column. Pretty simple, as long as you know how.”
“I don’t know how,” she confessed.
“Well, let me drive it out for you. Don’t want you to wreck my good tractor. Then I’ll give you some lessons.”
She got out of the driver’s seat, watching as he attempted to start the engine, but when it wouldn’t turn over, he explained it was probably a dead battery. “It’ll take a while to get it charged up good. And seeing it’s almost dinnertime, you’ll have to wait to try it out. How about we plan on tomorrow afternoon, when you’re done at the pool? Or if you want, we can wait until after the Fourth.”
“Whatever’s best for you,” she agreed. “Although I’m dying to drive it around. And I’d love to clean it up. Maybe even wax it.”
“I’m sure that’s not been done in the past few decades.”
“I’d like to get used to driving a pickup again. I haven’t driven one since back when I used to drive yours, Grandpa. And that was always fun.”
“Yeah, but mine’s an automatic. You’ll have to get used to this one.”
As they walked back to the house, Dillon could just imagine that cool vintage turquoise truck pulling her cool vintage trailer. They would be cuter than cute! But as far as the how-to part of towing a trailer . . . that was still pretty intimidating. Would she really be up to the task? Well, there should be plenty of time to figure that out.
Another day passed without Dillon seeing Jordan. Not that she had expected to see him since Janelle had remained to watch the girls’ lesson. But since she planned to stop by the hardware store before going home, she wasn’t giving up hope . . . yet. Dillon told her students goodbye, reminding them there were no lessons until Monday due to the Fourth. She was just telling them to have a fun holiday when she noticed Brandon striding toward her. A slight shock wave ran through her. Why was he still here? She remembered his plan to stay in town until the Fourth, but she assumed his plans would change after she’d sent him packing on Sunday. Apparently not.
“Hey, Dilly.” He approached her with a broad smile. “How’s it going?”
“Fine.” She wrapped the towel around her like a sarong. “What’re you doing here?”
“Came to see you.” His smile grew uneasy. Very un-Brandon-like. “I hope you don’t mind.”
She glanced around at the moms and kids. They were obviously watching her with open curiosity. “I don’t mind,” she said stiffly. “It’s a free country.”
He frowned. “That’s not very friendly.”
“Sorry.” She reached for her bag. “I need to go shower and dress if you’ll ex—”
“Nothing wrong with the outfit you’re wearing.” His brows arched. “Small town living agrees with you, Dilly. I never saw you look prettier—ever.”
“Well, uh, thanks.”
“But go ahead and change. I’ll wait for you.”
“You’ll wait?”
“Yeah. I just wanted to talk to you. You know, one last time. How about if we talk over lunch? And I promise to be perfectly civilized.”
“Well, I—”
“Come on, you gotta be hungry.”
Feeling all the kids’ and moms’ eyes on them, she just nodded, then scurried over to the shower room. As she showered and dressed, she reminded herself that he had said “one last time.” That was encouraging. Besides, he was right, she was hungry.
“Who’s that good-looking guy waiting for you in the lobby?” Chelsea asked as Dillon pulled on her sandals.
“He told you he was waiting for me?” Dillon frowned.
“Well, I asked if he needed help. He explained he was with you.” Chelsea winked. “He’s a looker alright.”
“I suppose.” She stuffed her wet things into her bag.
“You don’t sound very enthused.”
Dillon gave a quick explanation of her relationship with Brandon and how he’d come out here to win her back. “But I told him it was pointless.”
“Why?” Chelsea looked shocked. “What’s wrong with him?”
As Dillon touched up some makeup, wondering why she bothered, she briefly explained Brandon’s history of “unavailability.”
“He doesn’t seem unavailable now, Dillon. Maybe you should give him a second chance.”
Dillon shoved her lip gloss back into her bag. “But I feel like we’re through, Chelsea. Like, been there—done that. Not again.”
“Nice that you can be so choosy.” Chelsea glumly shook her head. “At our age, I find it refreshing to have any interested and available male pursuing me.”
“Our age?” Dillon frowned. “We’re in our early thirties, girlfriend.”
“Early maybe—but pushing mid,” Chelsea teased.
“Whatever.” Dillon rolled her eyes. “Excuse me for not feeling that desperate for a guy. Not at the moment anyway. And I plan to let Brandon know.”
“Hey, speaking of desperate.” Chelsea grabbed her arm before she exited the locker room. “I wanted to ask if you were going to the Fourth of July dance tomorrow night.”
“Well, I wanted to go to the usual festivities during the day. It’d be fun to go to the dance too.” Dillon didn’t want to admit that she’d been hoping Jordan would ask her. Especially since he’d raised the subject on Saturday. But now it seemed hopeless.
“Then let’s go together,” Chelsea said. “That way we won’t look quite so desperate. We’ll just be two single girls having a good time. Okay?”
Dillon gave her a thumbs-up. “Sounds great.” And as she went out to the lobby, she couldn’t help but smile with amusement at this irony. Brandon was waiting on her for a change. “Hope I didn’t take too long.” Her tone was teasing.
“Not at all.” His eyes twinkled. “I’m sure there were plenty of times I made you wait lots longer.”
“So you really do remember that?” she asked as they went out to the parking lot.
“I’m embarrassed to admit I do remember.” He paused to look into her eyes. “And I really am sorry. I hope you believe me, Dillon.”
She felt uncomfortable. Her brain felt impaired by Brandon acting so nice. But was it sincere? “I, uh, need to put my swim bag in my car,” she told him. “Where did you plan to have lunch? Maybe we should just meet there?”
“I made a lunch reservation at a place called McLaughlin’s. A woman at the hotel highly recommended it. She said the food’s fabulous, and they only serve lunch in the summertime.”
“Yes, I’ve heard of McLaughlin’s before. But I’ve never been there.”