Cal downed his head. “You’re right. I’ll keep my distance.”
Brian cleared his throat. “Good. I’m glad you see that we’re in agreement. She’s not used to someone like you. You saw how delicate she looks.”
“Someone like me?” He frowned, not caring for little brother’s attitude right now. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You date a different breed of women. Women who know the score. Celeste is like a fragile flower that would wilt around you. Anyone can see that.”
“I’m hurt you have such a low regard of me,” he joked.
“Not a low regard,” Brian said quietly. “Never that. I’m proud to call you my brother.”
When had Brian grown up? It was right after they’d captured the big oak in the south pasture. The one with limbs that reached to forever then back. It had been their fort, a place all their own. Cal had started high school and Brian junior high. The old tree was forgotten, as were all their old haunts. He missed that time in their lives.
“Back at you, little brother, and Grandma and Grandpa would be proud of you, too, and what you’ve made of the place.” He meant every word. “Hey, what say you and I go riding this week?”
“I need to catch up on some things.”
The businessman was back, but he couldn’t really blame Brian too much. The ranch meant a lot to him. He nodded. “Yeah, sure.”
Brian looked as though he was weighing his options. “How about Friday? I’ll tell you about the brood of children Wanda Jo and Ape Man have.”
Cal grinned. “That will be perfect.”
Maybe he didn’t like the country as much as Brian, but he liked the memories, and he liked knowing he had family. That wasn’t a bad thing, not at all.
And he realized that Celeste hadn’t answered his question. Was she older in wisdom? He had a feeling there was a lot more to her than met the eye. It might be interesting to see what transpired between her and his brother. He knew damned well he’d caught a spark of interest coming from Brian-even if little brother didn’t realize it yet.
Things were definitely not boring at the Crystal Creek Dude Ranch anymore. His gaze moved toward the window, toward the old homestead.
Things had definitely gotten interesting.
Had making love ever been that good? Nikki didn’t think so. Not that all her experiences had been bad. They just hadn’t been this damned fantastic.
It was a little scary since she was here under false pretenses. Cal said he believed in honesty. She didn’t think he’d appreciate her lack of it with him.
Was she developing a conscience?
That wasn’t good. She hadn’t been given the award for best journalist of the year two years in a row because she’d had scruples when it came to lowering the boom on dirty politicians. Nikki Scott, developing a conscience? Yeah, right, when hell froze over, maybe.
But apparently, she wasn’t quite good enough. She’d subtly questioned him after they’d had sex. He’d planted a good one on her lips, and while she was still trying to recover from the fire that had begun to build, he’d rolled out of bed and told her he’d promised to meet his brother.
Before she knew what was happening, he’d dressed and gone out the front door. She felt as though she’d lost another round. A smile curved her lips, but what a way to lose.
She stretched her arms over her head, then strolled toward the kitchen, stopping at the door and staring at the black beast, but the longer she stared the more frightening it looked. She didn’t need a psychic to tell her she’d be taking another cold sponge bath.
Her stomach rumbled, reminding her that all she’d had was a PB &J sandwich yesterday. That last town she’d gone through wasn’t that far away. She needed a few things anyway and surely they had a fast-food joint of some kind. It felt as though she hadn’t eaten in months.
But after that, look out. They didn’t call her The Barracuda for nothing. She’d beat Cal at his own game. She grabbed clean clothes and after a quick wash headed for her car. Oh, yeah, she was on top of the world.
It was only a twenty-minute drive into town but it seemed longer since she had to maneuver around all the potholes. This time she noticed the town’s sign as she drove past it. Frog Hollow-population 1,625.
Frog Hollow? Who named a town Frog Hollow? She drove down Main Street-which looked like the only street. Where were the fast-food places?
Wait, there was a café. She pulled in front of it and parked her car and just sat there for a moment.
Oh, yeah, this should be good, she thought as she read the faded sign: THE CHICKEN COOP. She really hated chickens and more especially roosters, but she was so hungry it felt as though her stomach was about to cave in. Maybe she’d get a little revenge and have fried chicken.
She glanced at her watch. Almost eleven. Please let them be serving something…anything.
The bell jangled over her head as she went inside. The aromas of home-cooked food assailed her nostrils and her stomach rumbled in anticipation. It looked clean. There were ruffled black and white checkered curtains on the windows and yellow Formica booths with matching vinyl seats. No rips or tears, no silver tape patching holes, and the black and white tiled floor practically sparkled.
It felt as though she’d stepped back to the fifties. She wouldn’t be at all surprised if Don Knotts strolled into the café. She slid into one of the booths.
A girl, who looked barely out of high school, came over, gum smacking, blond hair swinging in a ponytail, and handed her a menu.
“Sweet convertible. I bet it really looks nice when it’s washed,” she said as she glanced out the window.
“Texas dust.”
“Yeah, we have a lot of it around here. Back-country roads and all. My name’s Jenny, by the way, and I’ll be your waitress.” She chuckled. “I’m the only waitress, actually. Middle of the week, slow time. The crowd won’t start to come in until after five.”
This town had a crowd? Nikki tried but couldn’t visualize it. She opened the menu and glanced at the offerings. God, she was so hungry.
“Can I get you something to drink?”
Wine was probably out of the question. “Soda. Coke?”
“Sure thing. Back in a minute.”
Could she order everything on the menu? She could probably eat it, as well as the menu. Her stomach rumbled again. She wanted something fast. No fried chicken or thick, juicy steak this time.
Her perusal stopped on cheeseburger. She bit her bottom lip to keep from moaning. A big, fat, juicy cheeseburger loaded with onions and a side of fries. Oh, yeah, that was living.
“Here you go.” Jenny set the drink, along with a straw, in front of her. “Do you know what you want?”
She nodded, then gave Jenny her order and the girl left to pass it along to the cook.
Nikki glanced out the window. From her viewpoint, she could see the gas station she’d stopped at for directions when she came through town, an abstract office, the post office, and a pharmacy.
“You just passing through?” Jenny asked.
“I’m staying at the Braxton ranch.”
She nodded, looked at the convertible, then back at her. “Tourist.”
“Sort of. I’m from Fort Worth.”
“Cal still home?”
Nikki immediately went on alert. “You know Cal?” She casually picked up the straw and removed the white paper before sticking the straw into her drink.
Jenny grinned. “Everyone knows him. Star football player, a handsome devil.” She blushed. “My oldest sister went to school with him. I think every girl had a crush on him and his brother, Brian. They hated when Cal got engaged, but that’s all over now.”
“I’m sure he was hurt by the breakup.”
Jenny snorted. “I don’t think so. He came in last week and was flirting with Sandy Fairfax and she was practically drooling all over him.”