“Great. Then we’ll go out to celebrate. What’s this very good news?”
He spread his hands open wide. “You’re looking at the new project archeologist at the Center for Big Bend Studies.”
Zoey let out a squeal and threw her arms around his neck. “Yippee! Jericho this is awesome. I’m so excited for you.”
A sudden stillness settled over him that was both patient and predatory, the same darkly fascinating threat as a Big Bend mountain lion methodically stalking prey. What was this? Something was different. There was a hard-edged steeliness to him that hadn’t been there before. He’d left Cupid not much more than a boy, but he’s returned a fully developed man. Unnerved, she dropped her arms and stepped back.
“Thank you for giving me the heads up about Dr. Keel’s retirement,” he said evenly, his tone belying the tension she’d felt in him. “It gave me a jumpstart on the competition.”
“Pfftt. With your credentials the competition didn’t stand a chance.” She clapped her hands, more to get herself back on keel than anything else. When in doubt, rah, rah, rah always worked. “I’m so excited. Is that why you and Mallory split the sheets? You’re moving back home.”
“Partially,” he hedged.
“Will you be living in Alpine?’
“Alpine is closer to work.”
“But Cupid’s home,” she coaxed. “Besides, it’s got the added bonus that I’m there.”
“Can’t argue with that. I’ll just have to see what kind of housing is available in both towns.”
“There’s a room open at the Cupid’s Rest for a long term border,” she coaxed.
“We’ll see.”
“Oh.” She laced her fingers together, did a little jig. “This is so wonderful. Will you be heading up this summer’s field school?”
He nodded. “I will.”
“Woot!” She pumped her fist. “You’ll be my instructor. Dibs on teacher’s pet.”
“Fair warning. I’m not cutting you any slack just because we’re friends. I’m a tough instructor.”
She waved away his threat. “We’re going to have so much fun.”
“And work very hard.”
“Hard can be fun,” she teased.
Jericho’s face reddened and he tugged at his collar. Ha! She’d embarrassed him. That’s what he got for making the fanny comment, but now she was feeling off kilter too. “Um, have they decided yet where they’re going to hold the field school? This is my first dig and I’m sooo excited.”
“It’s a toss-up between a Gilliland Canyon in Big Bend, Nature Conservancy’s Independence Creek Preserve in Terrell County, or Triangle Mount in Jeff Davis.”
“Triangle Mount? We’re talking home sweet home.” Triangle Mount was on private land owned by the August McCleary foundation. “Are we looking to put to rest the rumors that Triangle Mount is really a North American pyramid?”
Lately, on the heels of some unscientific claims that some flatiron mountains in Bosnia were ancient pyramids, there had been much speculation that Triangle Mount could possibly have been a pyramid as well.
“It’s mostly bollocks of course,” Jericho said. “The theory is something most serious archaeologist dismiss out of hand and because of limited funding wouldn’t waste time on, but all scholars must guard against both complacency and a sense of superiority. There’s always that rare exception to explore. Besides, it would make a great field school project.”
“You gotta admit that it is a perfect triangle. Easy to see where the rumors come from and why people are fascinated by the notion of pyramids in West Texas.”
“Don’t get too worked up about it. Triangle Mount is the dark horse. Director Sinton is leaning toward Gilliland Canyon.”
“What determines which dig site we’ll chose?”
“Funding for one thing. For another, we need permission. It’s easier to gain access to government land. In the past, the McCleary Foundation has been resistant to granting admittance.”
Zoey cocked her head. True enough. The August McCleary Foundation was very protective of their land holdings. “Are you setting me up to do the dirty work with cousin Walker for you?”
Jericho scratched his chin, his blunt cut nails rasped appealingly against his stubble. “Well, you are a McCleary and you do have a talent for twisting arms, but honestly, I don’t know if Triangle Mount is the best project for us.”
“Hey, I’ve got nothing to lose. In fact, I’ll even ask if the foundation will considering chipping in to help fund the dig.”
“Let’s not push our luck.”
“Why not? All he can say is ‘no’ and we won’t be any worse off than we were before.”
“It’s up to you.” He shrugged.
“Consider it done.” She snapped her fingers. “Triangle Mount, here we come.”
Jericho chuckled. “I love your self-confidence, Zoe-Eyes.”
Love.
Why did that word seem to stand out from the others? And why was she feeling warm and squishy inside because of it? Nothing wrong with loving your best friend, right? There were all kinds of love. For instance, she loved Urban Decay waterproof mascara, Cheetos—the puffy kind, Aunt Sandra’s to-die-for banana pudding, skinny-dipping in Lake Cupid on a hot summer evening, and laying on a pallet in the backyard staring up at the darkest night sky in the entire US of A, and wishing when a star streaked flaming bright. Never mind that more often than not, she cast that wish as a single question. When is my soul mate going to show up?
“And I’m so happy that you got the job,” she chattered, pushing past her feelings. She learned a long time ago that the best way to deal with melancholy feelings was to keep her mind, and her body, busy, busy, busy. “It’s great to have you back home. Do you realize how long it’s been since we’ve seen each other in person?”
Jericho put a palm to the back of his neck. “Three years since I moved to Utah for my PhD in anthropology.”
“That’s right.” She playfully swatted his shoulder. “You’re a doctor now. We must definitely celebrate. Chantilly’s tonight. Be there seven-thirtyish and put on your best dancing boots. We’re gonna do some serious scootin’. I haven’t had a decent dance partner since you abandoned me.”
Jericho smiled, shook his head. “Damn, I’ve missed you.”
“Me too. Missed you that is, not me. How could I miss me?”
“That mind of yours runs a hundred and fifty miles an hour.”
“Ya think?” She winked.
“I know so. Chantilly’s tonight. It’s a date.”
Date.
She knew he didn’t mean it that way. Why was she thinking like this? She and Jericho were just friends, but c’mon who could deny the man filled out a pair of Levis in the most drool-worthy way?
His hand rested on her shoulder. “It is good to see you again, pal.”
Zoey’s lips went cold. Pal. Buddy. Amigo. Friend. A guy who wanted to sleep with a girl did not call her, “pal.”
Jericho leaned over and lightly kissed her cheek, a platonic peck. Brotherly. Clearly, nothing had changed for him in three years. Fine. Good. She’d use that as a damper to douse the tiny flame that flickered in her heart. The feeling would pass. It always did. What she needed was a new boyfriend.
“Bye!” She wriggled her fingers and turned back to the van, her heart thudding strangely. She was about to get in when she remembered about the kitten. Maybe she’d gotten lucky and it had taken off when she’d been talking to Jericho.
This time, so that her rump wouldn’t be in the air, she crouched and ducked her head underneath the van. The Siamese was curled up asleep. Ah ha. Gotcha now. She reached around to pick it up and the kitten leaped as if she’d touched it with a live wire and darted to the opposite side of the van.
“Not again.” She groaned.
“What’s wrong?”
Zoey jumped, whacking her head against the undercarriage. “Ow!”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” Jericho a
pologized. “When I saw you on the ground, part of me said to just let it go. It is Zoey after all, but the curious part of me that knows whatever you do is never boring, had to come over and see what was up.”
She rubbed the top of her head, glanced up at him. “You’re too sly. You should wear a bell or something.”
“Probably my Native American blood. Hunter DNA.”
“Yeah, all one sixteenth of it.” She got to her feet.
“One sixteenth Comanche,” he said. “Strong genes. Stamps the bloodline forever.”
“I’ve heard this brag before.”
“So you have. Are you going to tell me what you’re doing?”
“Catfishing,” she replied.
Jericho rolled his eyes upward and addressed the sky. “I had to ask.”
“As it turns out I’m really lousy at it.”
“It being … ?”
“Stubborn kitten doesn’t want to be rescued.”
“Ah,” he said. “I’m finally on board the Zoey thought-train. It’s been so long since we’ve talked in person that I’ve gotten out of the rhythm. Let’s see if I can help.”
How many times had he helped her out of a jam? Two dozen at least, probably three if she thought about it long enough. Ya think by now you should be able to handle your own problems. You’d think, but she scooted over to make room for him.
Jericho crouched beside her, his scent getting all tangled up with the smell of asphalt and kitten. His shoulder brushed against hers and she caught her breath.
The kitten stared at them, eyes wide, muscles bunched.
“The poor thing must think we’re ganging up on him. I’ll go to the other side of the van,” she said, hopping up quick. Whew. Gotta put some distance between her and those broad shoulders.
Jericho made a low, soothing sound in the back of his throat, but he did not touch the Siamese. The kitten cocked its head. “That’s right little guy, come out, come out. We won’t hurt you.”
He spoke soft and slow and as if by magic, the kitten crept forward. After a few minutes, he put his hand down and the little Siamese came over to nibble on his pinky finger and then finally, curled up in his palm and started purring.
“I’ll be damned,” Zoey muttered. “You missed your calling. You should have been a cat whisperer.”
With the kitten cradled against his chest, Jericho got to his feet. She hustled around the van to join him once one. “It is a boy or a girl?”
Jericho checked. “Boy. You wanna hold him?”
“Yes.”
He transferred the cat over to her.
“Hey, there Egbert,” she crooned. The kitten looked up at her with sleepy eyes. It was still purring. Happy now. Apparently they’d just gotten off on the wrong foot.
“Egbert?”
“I named him already. Eggy for short.”
“That’s dangerous.”
“How so?”
“When you start naming animals they have a tendency to become your pet.”
“If I can’t find his owner maybe I will keep him.”
Jericho put a palm over his mouth, amusement deepening his chocolate eyes to coffee.
“Are you laughing at me?”
“Nope.” He nodded.
“Liar. You are laughing at me.”
He dropped his hand to show that he wasn’t smiling, but he had his lips pressed together so tightly she knew it was all he could do to keep from bursting out in a belly laugh.
“What is so funny?” She frowned. Normally, she loved making him laugh, but it was the principle of the thing.
“Nothing.”
“You don’t think I can own a cat?”
“No one owns a cat. They own you.”
“Fine, you don’t think I can take care of a cat.”
“I never said that.”
“You looked both entertained and skeptical. Like it’s the most outrageous idea you ever heard of.”
“Have you ever owned a pet?”
“Sure. Lots.”
“Name one.”
“Um … I had a hamster once, or maybe it was a gerbil.”
“What was its name?”
She crinkled her nose. “I can’t recall.”
“Apparently he was quite beloved.”
“Sarcasm, cheap shot for the uninspired.”
Jericho chuckled. “God, I’ve missed this. Repartee is not the same in email.”
“Why do you think I keep trying to get you on Twitter? It’s the medium for one liners.”
“You’re the one who excels at one liners.”
“True.” She tapped her chin. “Your emails do tend to run along the lines of War and Peace, the unabridged.”
“So whatever happened to the hamster?”
“Got out of its cage and ran away.”
He dipped his head, arched one eyebrow, and slowly shook his head.
“What? It happens.”
“I seemed to remember you also had goldfish. What happened to them?”
“They died.”
He held out his palms. “You’re proving my case.”
“They’re goldfish. How long do they last? A couple of weeks tops.”
“Mine lived for twelve years.”
“Show-off.”
“Simply stating my case.”
“Which is that I couldn’t possibly be a responsible pet owner?”
“Trying to establish a precedent.”
“Natalie and I had a dog once.”
“And who took care of it?”
“Natalie, but that’s beside the point.”
“Is it?”
“Geeze, Jericho, whose side are you on?”
“Egbert’s.”
“You seriously, don’t think I can take care of a cat?”
“Zoey, you can do anything you can set your mind to. I believe that one hundred percent.”
“But … ?”
“Some people just aren’t meant to be pet owners. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“Wow, way to stomp on a girl’s feelings.”
“It’s just that you have so many interests. You’re always on the go, never at home. A pet requires a lot of time and attention.”
He was right. She did have trouble sitting still, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t own a cat. The deal was, she’d just never really had much of a reason to stay home.
“He might belong to someone,” Jericho said. “So the point could be moot.”
“I’ll take him to a vet,” she said. “See if he’s been chipped and I’ll put up notices, post on a few social media sites.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to take charge of him?”
Earlier, he’d sort of bruised her ego, but now she was just plain irritated. She sniffed. “I can do this.”
“Okay. Just offering to let you off the hook.”
She looked at the kitten who was staring at her with such a trusting expression that her stomach flopped over. She could be a cat owner. Why not? “Thanks for the offer, Jericho, but I’m in this hook, line and sinker.”
About the Author
LORI WILDE is the New York Times bestselling author of more than forty-five books. A former RITA® finalist, Lori has received the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, the Holt Medallion, the Booksellers Best, the National Readers’ Choice, and numerous other honors. She lives in Weatherford, Texas, with her husband and a wide assortment of pets. Lori teaches Romance Writing Secrets via the Internet through colleges and universities worldwide at
www.ed2g.com.
Please visit her on the web at www.loriwilde.com.
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By Lori Wilde
ALL OUT OF LOVE
LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
A COWBOY FOR CHRISTMAS
THE COWBOY AND THE PRINCESS
THE COWBOY TAKES A BRIDE
THE WELCOME HOME GARDEN CLUB
THE FIRST LOVE COOK
IE CLUB
THE TRUE LOVE QUILTING CLUB
THE SWEETHEARTS’ KNITTING CLUB
Available from Avon Impulse
ONE TRUE LOVE
THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE CHRONICLES:
CARRIE
RAYLENE
CHRISTINE
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Excerpt from Somebody to Love copyright © 2014 by Laurie Vanzura.
ALL OUT OF LOVE. Copyright © 2013 by Laurie Vanzura. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
EPub Edition JULY 2013 ISBN: 9780062218971
Print Edition ISBN: 978-0-06-221896-4
FIRST EDITION
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Lori Wilde - [Cupid, Texas 02] Page 26