Caitlin looked at her friend and wondered if the old woman was healthy. Terror flashed in her eyes as all color faded from her face. "Are you okay?"
"Fine, dear. Run along. We both have busy lives." She watched Mrs. Carrington hurry towards the library on the opposite corner of where she stood. Something in the past haunted that woman. With enough problems and indecisions of her own, Caitlin shrugged and then crossed the street ready to head back to the ranch, but she saw Scott peeking in the feed store window.
"Hey, you," she said, looking in the window to see what fascinated him.
He looked to his left but then quickly returned his gaze to the window.
"I wanted to apologize for yesterday. I didn't know Garrett was bringing an outfit to finish the fence."
"No sweat," Scott said, shoving his hands in his pockets. Hurt filled every inch of his face. She wanted to make it up to him, but how? "What is there to do around here?" he asked, finally looking her way.
"You're looking at it. If you wanted a place with nightlife, you got on the wrong bus. It isn't here. Valley View is the epitome of old-town." Then the idea struck like a lightning bold. "Would you join me for supper at the ranch? It won't be anything fancy."
"Sure," he said almost hesitating, but the smile that greeted him had him saying, "I'd like that." His gaze lingered a moment too long, forcing her to stare at the sidewalk. "See you later," he said and sauntered down the street. His swagger entranced her and made it impossible to look away. When his broad shoulders turned the corner, she gasped.
"What did I do?" she asked on the way home. The more she contemplated the situation, the sicker she grew. Her white knuckles almost popped from under the skin, she gripped the wheel so tight. "Garrett is going to kill me if he finds out." She chewed on her lower lip. "Okay, so he doesn't find out."
Chores went fast as she anticipated all that could go wrong this evening. "See what happens when you speak without thinking. What have I done?" She shook her head as thoughts filled her mind. "I could call and cancel-say I'm sick or something. No, that's running away," she said scratching her head. "He's not a bad guy. At least not from what I've seen and heard. Grandma Emmaline would have invited a stranger to dinner. She always said that a stranger may be an angel in disguise." Caitlin chuckled. She really did not believe that Scott MacKay was an angel, but stranger things have happened. If Garrett has a problem I'll say I was extending charity, just as Grandma would have done. She knew Garrett would not buy that excuse.