She wondered if Austin would be at the meeting. Her heart started beating faster. It wasn’t likely, but there was always the off chance. After all, he’d been right about her getting to know her community better to be a better reporter. She’d been thinking about him a lot since their dance at the Lazy L. She was in danger of being seduced by the man, and he’d barely laid a finger on her.
“Hi there, Savannah,” the mayor’s assistant said as she sifted through a box with tags on it.
Savannah scanned her memory for the woman’s name. Let’s see. The bubbly lady who worked for the mayor. She was the woman who brought the town events announcements to the office. It rhymed with chlorine. Ah! “Hi, Maureen. It’s good to see you again.”
“Same here, dear. I just want to say what a fine job you did on the fire article. It was a nice touch mentioning Angela’s was the staple for diehard romantics on Valentine’s Day. I don’t know what I’m going to do without her this year. The mister and I go there faithfully.”
“Well, hopefully we can do something about that. We’re here to brainstorm, after all,” she replied.
“Here’s your nametag. We have plenty of refreshments. Help yourself.”
“Thanks, Maureen.” She clipped the tag to her jacket and moved on.
She looked around the room for a familiar face. Barbara Jean said she would be stopping by. A moment later, she spotted her friend. She was in a group of people who looked vaguely familiar, but one person definitely stood out. Lucinda.
Lucinda was holding court as usual. Savannah did a slight turn to get away from them but it was too late. Barbara Jean waved her over.
“Savannah.” Barbara Jean smiled. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
“A good reporter always goes where the people are.”
“Ladies, this is Savannah. She’s the newest reporter at the Gazette. I’m sure you read her touching article on the fire. It was brilliant.”
“Oh, stop it,” she said.
“Interesting take on the fire. I found it a bit schmaltzy,” Lucinda spat out, not bothering with pleasantries. “I felt like I was reading a short story, not an actual news event.”
She opened her mouth to reply, but closed it when someone else interjected.
“Well, I liked the short story feel. It was brilliant of you to weave Angela’s part of the romance in Harper’s Grove and make it the focal point. It leaped off the page.” The brunette woman wearing a pretty rainbow-colored dress radiated a warm smile that took the sting out of Lucinda’s criticism.
“Yes, it had a nice warm feeling to it,” another woman said. “It made me nostalgic. Rick and I had our first date there.”
“That’s so sweet,” Barbara Jean said.
“Remember that time Roberto and the busboys serenaded Maggie after that breakup with her boyfriend?”
“And how about that time Alex gave CPR to that tourist with the calamari stuck in his windpipe? That must have been a memorable night for you, eh Peyton?” Tracey, the resident real estate agent, said.
“It definitely made it into our top ten date nights,” Peyton, the woman in the colorful dress, replied.
So that was Peyton. She certainly was pretty. Savannah had heard a lot about her around town: the local artist who’d catapulted in the art world over the past few years. She was a great photographer. A few of her photos draped the walls of the newspaper. She also was said to be very close to Austin.
Lucinda tried to interject again, but the women were too busy recalling good times at the eating establishment. She also looked a little peeved that she was no longer guiding the conversation. Savannah hid a flash of annoyance. Everyone got it. Lucinda was the “media queen” of Harper’s Grove, and everyone tuned in every afternoon for her advice and commentary. But right now there was a question hanging in the air. Did she ever listen to her listeners?
“Guess what?” Barbara Jean said. “Savannah’s doing a follow-up story on Austin.”
The women in the crowd gave a collective gasp.
“Really? Should be interesting.” One of the women fanned herself. “I bet it’s going to be a page-turner. Hot, strong-yet-silent type cowboy raising his horses on his ranch.”
“Lucinda. Didn’t you try to figure out the riddle of the gorgeous, not-committing cowboy?” Tracey asked. “Maybe Savannah will have better luck with her coverage on him.”
Savannah could see the fire in Lucinda’s eyes.
Maureen approached and spoke before the fireworks could begin. “Lucinda, dear. Can I chat with you about tomorrow’s announcement?”
“Of course.” Lucinda plastered on her best PR smile as she walked off with Maureen.
“Tracey.” Barbara Jean said to the real estate agent. “You know that was like waving a red flag in front of a bull.”
“Serves her right for insinuating that I sold her a house with bad plumbing,” Tracey huffed. “She uses that mic to wreck lives, and she needs to be stopped. She barely mentioned the fire except to say that she and Austin both saw the flames. Like we’d think they were out together. He was outside the radio station waiting for Peyton.”
Peyton nodded. “We had plans that night.”
“Luckily, we have someone more respectful of the media platform in town.” Tracey looked at Savannah.
After that, most of the group soon disbanded. She and Peyton were left alone.
Savannah laughed. “It’s never dull around here.”
“I haven’t seen Lucinda that mad since the time they pre-empted her show to report an earthquake.” Peyton giggled. “I’m Peyton Colfax by the way.”
“Nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Same here. I hope Lucinda’s remark didn’t bother you. If she comes at you hard, it only means there’s something about you she finds intimidating.”
“Lucinda’s not original. She thinks she cornered the mean girl market, but I was raised in Southern California. My skin is thicker than that.”
“Good, because like every foul odor, she’ll be back.” Peyton waggled her eyebrows. “I hear you’ve made quite an impression on Austin.”
“Really?”
“He’s a pretty private guy, but here he’s gone and opened himself up to you for some in-depth interview.”
“Well, it’s for the article,” she said quickly. “I think he’s doing it for the town. Or at least for Grayson.”
Peyton looked as if she might say more, but right then Maureen’s voice cut across the chatter. “Ladies, let’s get started.”
Savannah took a seat next to Peyton and listened as the meeting began. Soon there were a flurry of ideas going around the room.
She raised her hand. “Excuse me. How about we stage Angela’s someplace like the high school gym with tables and nice decorations. Angela could still serve her delicious food and make a profit, and she doesn’t have to skip her annual Night of Romance event. We’d have to see if they’d let us have access to the kitchen, but it’s worth a try.”
Maureen seemed intrigued by the idea. “I’m sure the mayor could talk it over with the school board. It’s for a good cause.”
“That sounds like a fantastic idea,” Peyton chimed in. “I could help with the decorations.”
“I can rally up the volunteers we’ll need,” Maureen added. “Angela’s wait staff can work the gym like they do the restaurant.”
Barbara Jean was almost bouncing in her chair with excitement. “I don’t mind supplying the desserts and beverages. Angela and I collaborate on some of her desserts anyway. I wouldn’t mind pitching in that night. It’s for a great cause.”
“And I can plug it daily on my show,” Lucinda asserted. “So we know it will be a huge success.”
“We can just double check with Angela, and if she’s on board, we can start planning tomorrow.”
“Let’s start a committee,” Maureen said, raising her voice to be heard over the discussion. “I nominate Savannah to head it.”
Her eyes widened. “M
e?”
“It’s your idea,” Maureen replied.
“I second it.” Peyton smiled, then said to her. “I can help if you need it.”
Savannah held her hands up. “I’m just here to cover the story.”
“Now you’re becoming part of it.” Barbara Jean smiled. “What do you say? It was your bright idea. Take it all the way to the end zone.”
“OK,” Savannah said. “I think we should talk to Angela, then the mayor, and get to planning once we have their buy-in.”
Peyton leaned closer to her. “You should ask Austin to pitch in. I’m sure he’d love to help.”
“I’d like to volunteer too.” Lucinda’s voice cracked like a whip through the room.
“Yes, you’re going to plug the event on your show.”
“I could be more active.” Lucinda played with the hem of her skirt. “I could, I don’t know. Help streamline the process. Get things organized.”
“Savannah’s been designated the chairwoman,” Peyton said.
“And Peyton’s my co-chair,” Savannah blurted out before Lucinda could assign herself the job. Barbara Jean mentioned her business ramped up the month of February, so there was no way she’d be able to help. And she hoped she hadn’t overstepped with Peyton. There was no way in hell she could work with Lucinda. “That is if Peyton doesn’t mind.”
“I’d love to,” Peyton replied.
“I’d still like to help,” Lucinda fired back.
“Great,” Savannah said through her teeth. She couldn’t help but feel the electric surge in the air of tension between the two of them.
Well, at least she knew she’d have plans for Valentine’s Day.
* * *
Austin tapped his fingers on the leather blotter on his desk, trying to decide what to do. Logan’s call giving him a head’s up about T.K.’s intention to ask him into the company business kept gnawing at him. He couldn’t think about it without stressing out and feeling his blood-pressure rise. He had his life here with his ranch. He didn’t want to abandon things to become some corporate suit.
It irritated him to no end. Yeah, Logan had found a mix of business and adventure in the football team and had fun with Seth to boot, but Logan didn’t have a successful ranch he’d built from the ground up either.
It simply wasn’t a good idea. He wanted T.K. to know that as soon as possible so he could put other measures in place for maintaining his empire after Austin turned him down.
He blew out a long breath and stared out the window, trying to find some inner peace. Inner peace that was definitely not coming to him. Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore. He had to know what his dad wanted so he could turn him down and get back to living his own life.
He picked up the phone on his desk and dialed. His father would either be at the ballpark for his baseball team, with the football team, or on his ranch. He took comfort in knowing the number of places his dad might be had narrowed over the last couple of years. He’d toned down the jet-setting lifestyle and had settled into…well, what a normal man of his age would be doing.
His father answered on the second ring. “T.K.”
“Hey, Daddy.”
“Austin, my boy. How goes it? How’s the ranch?”
“Sweet Sadie is getting over a respiratory infection. Sunrise is ready to give birth any day now, but she’s been lethargic lately, but everything else is fine. God’s Thunder is getting ready for another race. He’s shaping up to be a contender in the racing world.” He laughed to himself. He felt like he was talking about children the way he rattled on about them. Now he got how Savannah’s reference about Blue could be construed as a parent talking about a child.
“God’s Thunder’s stats have improved tremendously since his racing debut last year. I think you have a fine horse on your hands. A Kentucky Derby contender someday for sure.”
“T-thanks,” Austin stammered. T.K. must be getting ready to lay the schtick on him about joining the family business if he’d been following the performance of Austin’s racing horses. “I didn’t think you paid attention.”
“Of course I do. When my boys set out to do something, I always pay attention.”
“I remember that day you went ballistic when I told you I’d joined the Navy.”
“It was a bit of shock, but it was also a big reality check for me too.”
“That I was a grown man who could make my own decisions?”
“No. It was the first time I realized I could lose you. If you were home and carousing around, I could keep a better eye on you. I’m good at handling a lot of things, but I couldn’t manipulate a war to make sure my son was safe.”
Oh. “Things turned out well. I made it home.”
“I thank God every day for that.”
“So what are you up to today?” He glanced at the time on desk clock. He’d expected to be blitzed by his father’s full-force sales pitch on taking over the baseball team by now.
“I’m headed to Oklahoma to take your mother out to dinner.”
“Really? Where are you taking her?”
“She read up about some new trendy barbecue place. They have fancy tablecloths. Can you imagine that? Good barbecue comes from places that let you cook it yourself on the grill.”
“Momma has always been fancy.”
“Yes she has.” T.K. snickered. “She told me you don’t have to see sawdust when you’re eating a good piece of brisket. I beg to differ.”
“Well, if you want to have a pleasant evening, I wouldn’t open up that debate about who has the best brisket, Texas or Oklahoma.” Austin laughed. Plates and a few other things had been thrown around over that heated battle.
“I’ve given up arguing with that woman. It’s too much fun giving her what she wants.”
“You’re not driving are you? It’s getting pretty late.” He and Logan had talked about their father getting on in age, and they were going to talk to him about driving on his own. Especially at night.
“No, I’m being chauffeured by Regency in one of their vehicles. It’s a thing of beauty. It has all the bells and whistles for VIPs. The windows are tinted and bulletproof. There’s a controlled lock mechanism, and I’m pretty sure there are a few guns in the car. I mean, I don’t need the extras, but Rafe thinks it’s a good safety precaution.”
There was probably a convoy of security cars in front and behind his dad’s vehicle too. It sounded excessive, but he knew Rafe took his job very seriously. There was always a concern that someone would try to kidnap a billionaire, no matter how much his father thought he could handle himself.
“Rafe is right. Your safety is the priority. Momma was fussing about Regency agents hanging around her property.”
“They did before, but now they’re more visible,” T.K. replied. “She’ll get used to it.”
“How’s business with you? Logan says you were mulling over some things. Perhaps making some organizational changes.”
“The future son. I’m always thinking about the future.”
“You’ve always had a good eye for business.”
“Yeah, but now it’s time to focus on our family. I’ve been assessing the portfolio to see if it’s time to get rid of a few things. I’m meeting with my top men to see what’s going to be viable long-term. You know the world is always changing, and I have to change with it.”
“Wise decision.”
“What else is going on? You sound different.”
“Me?” Austin furrowed his eyebrows. That had been the perfect set up for his father to launch into his sales pitch, but he’d said nothing about the baseball team. Well, two could play at that game. “Nothing else is going on. Why do you ask?”
“That edge that’s usually in your voice is gone.” He chuckled to himself. “Ah, I get it now. So…what’s her name?”
“I don’t know what—”
“OK. You can tell me when you’re ready. She must be something special.”
He wanted to reply that Savannah was defin
itely something special, but he wanted some time to mull over his growing affection for her on his own before he started spouting off that he was falling for her. Falling for her? He meant thinking about her all the time. Which was different.
Suddenly he needed a drink.
He forced his attention back to his dad. It was obvious whatever Logan detected in his conversation with their father, T.K. didn’t want to talk about it. So Austin didn’t have to let his father down right now. Which was good, because they were having one of the most effortless conversations they’d ever had. He didn’t want to ruin it.
“Enjoy your brisket and give momma a kiss for me.”
“Will do. And good luck with your budding romance.”
“Goodnight, Daddy.”
Austin ended the call with a smile on his face. It was becoming less strange to know that his mother and father were spending time together and that they were enjoying each other after all these years apart. He still hoped they would be careful with each other. But since Savannah had come back into his life, he could relate to the vulnerability both his parents must have been feeling and their decision to give their relationship another chance.
* * *
As she made her way to one of the Southern Comfort Ranch corrals, Savannah looked down at the blouse she was wearing, hoping she’d made the right choice. Blue trotted along beside her, happily wagging his tail. Blue never cared how he looked. Meanwhile, Savannah had changed clothes three times before she left the house. She felt silly for wanting to dress fancy for what was supposed to be an interview, but she also knew that was a crock of bull. There was something brewing between her and Austin and she’d grown tired of resisting the notion.
She stepped inside one of the barns and asked a ranch hand where Austin was.
He tipped his hat. “Ms. Savannah, the boss is in building one.”
“Thanks.”
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