Amy Gilbert’s been coming to Marvin Wright’s butcher shop for years. It’s the only place her mother trusted. So she’s surprised when she discovers he has a new hire -- his niece Jody now works as his apprentice.
Amy’s attraction to Jody is immediate, and she wastes no time asking her out for drinks. Things seem to be heading in the right direction, but when Jody runs away after their first kiss, Amy’s left in turmoil.
What started out as a promising relationship threatens to sputter and die before it even gets off the ground. But when an ex-girlfriend from Jody’s past suddenly appears, Amy is determined not to let the new butcher in town get away from her that easily.
"Hi, Mr. Wright," I said as he handed a package to a customer who turned and left. "Jody around?"
"No, she's not," he answered. "Did she know you were coming by?"
"I thought so."
"Well, she's not here right now. She took the afternoon off. I figure she should because she's been working almost non-stop. A friend of hers came down from Wyoming so Jody wanted some time with her. She took her out to eat, I think. I guess she hadn't seen Joanne in quite a while."
"Joanne?" Oh, my God. That was the ex, the one who'd caused her so much grief.
"Yes, Joanne said she had a lot to tell her. Don't know how long they'll be gone. Should I have her call you when she gets back?"
"No, no," I said. "It's nothing important. She knows how to get in touch with me if she wants."
"All right, then. Anything I can do for you?"
"Oh!" I remembered. "I didn't pay you for the lamb yesterday." Mom had come into my room last night to leave her card and make me promise to pay today. I handed him her debit card. "The meat looks wonderful, by the way. Mom says to tell you that you and Joseph run the best farm around. The meat is always perfect."
"Tell your Momma thank you. That's always nice to hear."
He ran the card through the machine, I signed, and he handed it back.
"I'll see you later," I said as I walked out of the store.
My head was in turmoil. Joanne had come all the way here? To apologize and make up? What was Jody's reaction? Had she forgiven her? Were they in a hotel right now making up for lost time? Damn! I guess it was luck that made me want to go home last night. It was a good thing I hadn't let myself get closer.
I stopped on the way home and got Dad a quart of banana-pecan concrete. As I was pulling out of the parking lot, I noticed two women sitting at one of the picnic benches eating concrete and having a serious conversation. One was a pretty woman with shoulder-length light brown hair. The other was Jody.
So that was what her old lover looked like. A part of me wanted to stomp right over there and introduce myself, but I knew I couldn't. I'd have to wait and see if Jody wanted to say anything about it. I had to mind my own business. I couldn't interfere.
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