28
Late Saturday morning found Zoë enjoying tea with Zandra as the pair sat on the porch of the ranch house. Zandra had finished cleaning the house and Zoë insisted she relax a bit before heading home. A few moments of questions had yielded that Ethan’s was the only house Zandra cleaned on weekends, and had also resulted in a happy agreement from Zandra to join Zoë, Ethan, and several others to The Scruffy Goose the following Saturday.
After sipping from her mug, Zandra raised a brow. “Boone told me he was having lunch at the diner with Ethan today. Why didn’t you join them?”
“Because I wasn’t invited,” she wisecracked, and then laughed at Zandra’s embarrassed expression. “No, it’s fine, I didn’t want to go anyway. Ethan needs time with his friends and, honestly, I’d rather hang out with you than with the boys.”
“Well it does afford the opportunity to talk about things we can’t when they’re around.”
“Absolutely, so what would you like to talk about?”
“Them.”
They both laughed. Enjoying Zandra’s company tremendously, Zoë was surprised. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a heart-to-heart with another woman, and had enjoyed few female friendships over the years. Most women seemed to want to gossip or indulge only in small-talk, two things she couldn’t stand. Zandra was different, shielded yet still forthcoming, and Zoë liked her more as the minutes went on.
“You know, I’m really happy you’re here,” she informed Zandra. “Seriously, thanks for this, if I have one more conversation about cows I think I’ll lose it.”
Zandra snickered. “Yeah, they’re pretty one minded when it comes to something they’re passionate about. Boone can’t divulge details about cases, of course, but he still loves to talk about work. And Rory talks about little else but animals.” She shrugged. “He was studying to be a vet tech, before—” Her expression darkened. “You know, right, about what happened to me, and what he did?”
“Yes. Ethan told me. Please don’t be upset with him. He wanted to make sure I heard the truth and not rumours.”
“Actually, I’m glad he did. A lot of people do gossip about it, but Ethan knows exactly what happened. Besides, it’s still hard for me to talk about so, really, I’m not the least bit upset he told you.”
“Good. He’s close to your family, isn’t he? I mean beyond being Boone’s friend. He’s close to you and Rory too, and seems really protective over you two.”
“He is. I guess it’s because he’s been Boone’s friend for so long, he sort of watched Rory and I grow up. He’s like another big brother.” She smiled. “I had a crush on him, when I was younger. He was so handsome. I mean, he is handsome, but I just can’t look at him like that anymore. He truly is like my brother.”
“Better for me then, less competition.”
Zandra rolled her eyes. “As if I’d be competition.”
Her lack of confidence jabbed Zoë. Much more than she would have ever imagined. “Oh, please,” she returned, hoping to smooth over Zandra’s words, “there has to be someone in town who’s pining for you. So, spill it. Who is it?”
“Nobody, really. Well, um, maybe there is someone. I mean, he might be interested in me, I really can’t tell.”
Zandra sounded like an unsure teen. Zoë leaned forward a bit. “Who is it?”
“Cole.” The name came out hesitantly, and was accompanied by a slight wince.
“The veterinarian?” When Zandra nodded, Zoë smiled broadly. “Ooh! Good for you, he’s a hottie. I mean, I haven’t met him yet, but Ethan pointed him out when we drove past him the night we went to town for ice cream. I’m not into blonds, but he’s hot.” Zandra blushed, smiled, and then averted her eyes. “So, you’ve got the hots for Cole, but you’re not certain he feels the same.”
“Right.”
“Okay. Then ask him out for a coffee and see what happens.”
“Oh, no! No, no, no, no, I could never do that.” She sighed deeply. “Besides, he, well, I’ve seen him out with Faye, our new doctor, a few times. I don’t know if they’re together but it wouldn’t surprise me. She’s a doctor, so she has something in common with him, and she’s beautiful.”
“So? You’re beautiful.” When Zandra stared disbelievingly at her, Zoë decided to set her straight. “You are. I would kill for your huge eyes. And your eyelashes! My God, am I jealous! I bet many a man has dreamed of kissing those lips of yours. And honey, your body is rocking. You’ve got the goods, you just have to employ them.”
Zandra smiled. “That’s not me. I mean, even before what happened, I’m just not a flirty type of person.”
“Huh. Well, no matter. We’re going to hit The Goose next Saturday looking fantastic. Is there a spa in town?”
“No, the closest one is in Lethbridge.”
“Well, shit. Okay, never mind, we’ll have a spa day on our own. We’ll give each other manis and pedis, and then find something awesome for you to wear. You, my dear, are going to be such a knockout, Cole won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”
“If he’s even there.”
“Oh, you leave that to me. Cole and Ethan are friends, so I’ll get Ethan to invite him.”
At another blush of Zandra’s cheeks, Zoë mentally patted herself on the back. Her friend had a crush on a man who, from what she’d heard from Ethan, seemed to be a great guy. Matchmaker mode engaged, she decided to bring the two together. If Cole truly was seeing Faye, then she’d abandon her plan. However, if he was single, and she detected his interest in Zandra, well then she’d go full throttle with her cupid ways.