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Grant answered for Zoe “She didn’t The ani at ive up your pets, ed you to leave”
Like hell The old biddy was lying through her teeth to ave her the frozen look he usually reserved for boardroo the animals stay at the ranch was my idea You didn’t leave Zoe with a lot of options when you kicked her out”
Mrs Givens drew herself up “I could not condone rodents living into the ani at your house” She faced Zoe “I read the advertise for hoo tense “You advertised for homes for your aniged “No one was going to rent to rees to pick up before the shops close as well I’ll see you tonight at the pageant”
“Not if I can help it,” Grant rinned at him “Behave I know you think you have to protectmy former landlady”
He didn’t return her smile He didn’t want to discuss Mrs Givens He didn’t even want to talk about her giving up her pets But he’d have so to say about that later He wanted an answer to his earlier question, and he wasn’t going anywhere until he got one “Answer ave him the smile that usually disarmed him “I don’t want to discuss what happened at the Pattersons’ on a public sidewalk”
“I want to talk about it now”
Zoe’s smile disappeared “Well, I don’t” She turned and walked into the take-and-bake pizza place She marched up to the counter “A double pepperoni calzone, please” She faced him “What do you want?”
“An answer”
Her expression took on a hunted quality, and all five feet, two inches of her stiffened with her usual brand of stubborn resolve “Later Right now you need to order”
“I’ll share your calzone You can never eat a whole one” Before she could argue, he turned to the cashier “Add an order of bread sticks and a large salad, please”
The kid behind the cash register gave Grant and Zoe a bored smile “That’ll be about fifteen minutes”
Grant said, “Fine” It shouldn’t take more than a minute or two for her to answer his question It wasn’t that tough Either their experience at the Pattersons’ had changed their relationship for her, or it hadn’t He couldn’t believe after the way she’d come apart in his arms that it hadn’t, but he needed to hear her tell hirabbed her arm to pull her to one of the chairs that lined the small store’s walls “Did it, or didn’t it?”