"According to Daddy, you do some great work." Jane already planned to record every single episode and watch it. It would be interesting to see what he talked about. Did he ever mention her on the show?
He leaned back in the chair. "How about you? Glad you opted for the city life?"
If there was a hidden question in their somewhere, she wasn't sure, but it sure felt like it.
"Sometimes I miss small town living. But I like the energy and pace of a big city. I love my apartment. Just bought a place in downtown Nashville."
He nodded, expression somber. Unlike when he was younger, he wore his reddish-brown hair shorter now, trimmed perfectly around the sideburns and back. His shoulders were wide, but unlike five years ago, they were muscular now. Without being obvious, she noted his biceps bulged under his simple, untucked, navy t-shirt.
The man stood over six feet, but he'd always seemed larger than life to her. Jane could not remember high school without thoughts of him lounging by her locker, waiting to drive her home. A sigh escaped and she covered it with a cough.
Dale lifted a brow. "So, since you were obviously expecting me, what’s up?"
He was probably busy and ready to go back to his shop. Of course, her aunt hadn't told him she was there, so he assumed Jane had arranged it. "Nothing. I'm not sure why Aunt Scootie invited you over. I'm sure she's up to something. She dropped the info on me just this morning. It’s nice to see you.” Jane stood then fell back to the chair when a dizzy spell hit.
"You okay?" Hunky, but still a man who didn't know how to react when a woman felt dizzy.
"Not sure. Had a hangover this morning, so must be the after effects."
His skeptical gaze narrowed. "Maybe you're pregnant."
"Seriously!" Jane pushed back from the table, stood and fell sideways to the floor.
This time Dale rounded to her side and peered down at her. "Need help?"
"No, I love lying on the floor like a rug," Jane snapped.
The door flew open and the dogs ran inside, tongues to the side. They chased each other in a circle. One of them sniffed Jane's leg, lifted his and peed on her.
Dale laughed. Then catching her scowl, he attempted to push his lips together. "Come on." Slipping his hands under her arms, he pulled her to her feet and walked her to the couch. "I better stay and wait for your aunts to get back."
"I'm not pregnant," Jane said and hunched forward. "What the hell is wrong with me?"
"Can't be the coffee. I'm perfectly fine.” Dale went to the table and took a long swig. He turned back toward her and face planted onto the floor.
Jane barked out laughing when he pushed up and looked up at her. "Holy shit that hurt."
"This has Aunt Scootie written all over it. I bet she got some sort of concoction from the witch, Zelda, who lives over in Asswanker."
"Asswanker?” Dale laughed. "That's funny."
Jane grinned. "She always calls it different names. It's catchy."
"We were good when I was helping you to the couch. Let's try walking out to my truck." Dale got up and wobbled to her. Interesting that when he took her arm, she stood without a problem and her legs weren't jelly.
They went outside and Jane looked around. The entire compound was eerily empty. Even her uncle's garage area was quiet.
"Is there some sort of game on or something?" Jane asked Dale who was more interested in looking down her gaping blouse than noticing the absence of inhabitants.
"Nah. I can hear them working in the garage.” He knew she'd caught him looking, but didn't seem at all apologetic. "Nice pink bra."
"Shut up." Jane would have stomped to the passenger side, but as soon as he released her, she fell against the truck.
"We'll have to climb in on the driver's door. Up you go." Dale easily lifted her and not so gently shoved her toward the passenger door. Once he climbed in, his actions remained just like in high school. Aviators on, southern rock music volume adjusted, seat belt pulled across a very wide chest, peek in the rear view, slide a glance at the side view and put the vehicle in gear.
"Some things never change," Jane said with a shake of head. "You have OCD."
"What?" he said, lowering the volume on the radio. "I have what?"
"You are a creature of habit," Jane replied. "Always have a routine."
"I suppose." He slid a glance at her. "You still wear pink polish and hold your hands together on your lap."
She looked down at her entwined fingers, the pink nails glistening in the sunlight. "I suppose I do."
"Do you still cheat on your girlfriends?" Jane blurted and immediately regretting it. "Never mind. Ignore that comment."
The truck stopped so fast her head jerked forward. Dale turned to her, his handsome face like stone. "I'm only going to say this once, whether you believe it or not doesn't matter anymore. I never have, nor will I ever, cheat on the person I'm dating.” He jerked a finger in her face. "Do you still take the word of a virtual stranger over someone you know well?"
Jane stared out the windshield, unable to speak. Her mind whirled. Had bad-breath Beth lied? Why had she been so quick to believe her? She'd seen Dale with her own eyes hadn't she? He was leaving the diner with some slut girl the night she'd confronted him.
Of course, the slut girl had tried to explain they were just friends. But it was hard to believe since she was wearing his letterman jacket.
No, there was too much evidence against Dale. Maybe he didn't remember being caught red-handed.
"And for the record, that girl you accused me of cheating with was my pregnant cousin, Irma."
Or maybe she'd been an impulsive, insecure and jealous teenage girl.
Nah. That wasn't it.
"Going to the picnic later today?" Dale asked, seemingly over being mad.
"Yep." Great, she was back to a one-word vocabulary.
//End of Excerpt// Finish reading it at http://amzn.to/28NmTnE
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Southern Howl Page 3
