Picket Fence Pursuit Read Free

stepped in and bowed. “One certified yahoo reporting for duty.”

Two
    Kylie watched in horror as Robin jumped toward the stranger from the day before, wrapped him in a bear hug, and said, “Hey, Richie, what’s up?”
    The man chuckled. “Richie, huh? That’s original. I’ve never heard that before.”
    Robin cocked her head. “Really? But you look so much like a young, long-haired Ron Howard.”
    “I think he’s being facetious,” Kylie spat behind clenched teeth. She hated when her friend acted ridiculous in front of people they didn’t know. It would be one thing for her to do it alone, but Robin always chose to do it when she was with Kylie. “Robin, I think our shift is over. We need to get going. No scenes.”
    “Name’s Ryan Watkins.” The man thrust his hand toward Kylie’s friend. “You must be Robin.”
    She giggled and grabbed his hand. “Yep, Robin Reed.” Pointing toward Kylie, she added, “This here’s my friend Kylie Andrews.” She leaned toward him. “She’s a bit on the grumpy side.”
    Kylie scowled at her, but Ryan threw back his head and laughed. “I think you’re right. Maybe she needs a hug, too.”
    “Don’t even think about it, you. . .you. . .curly-headed mops.”
    Ryan frowned and looked at Robin. “Did she just insult us?”
    “I think she did.”
    “Your curls are lovely.”
    “So are yours.” Robin twirled a strand of hair around her finger. “You and I must go to the same barber. I believe we have the same haircut.”
    Ryan gasped. “I believe you may be right. I mean, aside from the fact that yours is a bit longer.”
    “Oh, but your curls lie so perfectly. Maybe we should make an appointment to go together.”
    “That’s it. I’ve had enough.” Kylie grabbed her purse from the drawer. Robin knew she hated to be embarrassed, but her friend was determined to make a fool of her with a complete stranger. “Find your own way home. Maybe your Bobbsey twin will give you a ride.”
    “Wait! That was really jerky of me, and you don’t even know me.” Ryan grabbed her arm. “I was just teasing. I’m a notorious teaser. I’m sorry.”
    “Me, too.” Robin looked at the floor like a scolded puppy. “You know I’m uncontrollably silly sometimes. I wasn’t trying to be mean.”
    Swallowing hard, Kylie forced a grin. “Of course you were teasing. I know that. I love a good joke.” She choked up a laugh.
    Ryan extended his hand. “Forgive me?”
    “Of course.” Without looking at him, Kylie accepted his hand for an instant, then grabbed her purse tighter. “Robin, are you ready to go?” She tried to sound light, but she knew this Ryan Watkins had seen to her soul. He knew he’d bruised her ego, and he was genuinely sorry.
    How she wished to be more like Robin—free and glib. Instead, Kylie was sensitive and sentimental and entirely too vulnerable. She didn’t like that Ryan had seen that in her.
    Walking toward the car, Kylie fought to keep her chin up. She focused on trying to find her keys in her purse.
    “I’m sorry, Kylie. Usually you go right along with the teasing. You know I’d never intentionally hurt your feelings. You’re my best friend.”
    “I know. I don’t know why I’m being so sensitive.”
    “You must like him.”
    Kylie gasped and gawked at her friend. “What? I—I don’t even know him.”
    “Either that or you’re worried about your accounting grade.”
    “The latter, I’m sure.”
    Kylie found her keys and gripped them in her hand. The truth was, she had gotten more upset than normal. Usually when Robin teased, Kylie laughed it off. Today, it hurt. Maybe it was Ryan’s teasing that hurt.
    ❧
    Ryan sat in the church pew, pulling miserably at his shirt collar. A dress shirt and sport coat were not his favorite attire. He’d wear them only to Sunday morning church services. And only for Gramps. Many of the congregation opted for a more casual attire, but Gramps was from the old school. A person dressed up on