Laurelynn tried to pay for her meal, but Derek insisted he had it covered. After a couple tries, she gave up, realizing arguing was pointless. She wasn’t sure how, but she’d figure out some way to return the favor for him.
They left the restaurant and walked together down sidewalk toward the diner and several cabins behind it, still talking. The sun had set, and darkness had fallen, relieved only by the less than half dozen streetlights along the road, but she didn’t feel any of her usual unease at being away from home after dark.
“What are your plans for tomorrow?” Derek asked.
“I don’t have any set plans. Probably much like today. Breakfast, go out to the ranch, come back about dinner time.” She clasped her hands together in front of her as they walked, because it seemed so normal to
