I thought you looked like someone who was about to have to be brave in front of people who were watching to see if they needed to feel sorry for you, he said. And I thought that was a terrible position to be in. She looked at him. His profile was toward her, jaw set, eyes on the ring. So you lied, she said.
I told a story, he said. There's a coat in it eventually if you need one. She laughed. It surprised her. Came out fast and genuine.
A short exhale of actual amusement. She pressed her lips together after it, somewhat self-conscious. Ryder glanced at her with that almost smile again. I should get back, he said. Got one more to work before dark.
Ryder, she said his name without having planned to. Would you, if it isn't any trouble, what would you walk through town with me tomorrow morning? Not early, around 9, 10, maybe when people are out. He looked at her. Ethan, she said, not as an explanation exactly, more as an acknowledgement of what they both understood.
He's going to be in town for a while. I don't know how long. And the way people look at me. She stopped, reorganized. I'm not asking you to lie any more than you already have.
I just thought if people saw us together, it might Clara, he said. She waited. I'll be at your door at 9:30, he said. But he was there at 9:20. She'd been watching from the window.
Not for him, she told herself, just watching the street in general. And she saw him come around the corner from the direction of the Miller property, unhurried in a clean shirt that still looked like a working man's shirt, but had been obviously considered. He stopped at her door and knocked, two knocks, and waited. She counted to five before opening it. Morning, he said.
Good morning. She stepped out and pulled the door behind her. The morning was clear and cool, the kind of June morning that reminded you there was still beauty in things before the full heat came in. You didn't have to be early. I wasn't early, he said.