by Debra Holt
“So you said once before. Good for him. Tell me more about the rest of the Conners brothers. I don’t know much about them.”
“Jake is all about business and success. He’s the most driven brother of the three. He learned a lesson about that I think. It wasn’t said out right, but I think that played a part in his being left at the altar. He’s been gone a little while now. Ty is being the good brother and handling not only the ranch, but his brother’s investment business in his absence... as I said before.”
“And what about the other one?”
“Dalton.” Darcy’s demeanor changed along with the tone of her voice. It wasn’t a lot, but Calla caught it. That peaked her interest and made her watch Darcy more closely in the mirror as she finished up with the cream on her shoulders.
“What’s Dalton like?”
“He’s a Texas Ranger, like my brother. They work together sometime on different cases. He tends to do a lot of undercover work along the border… although I only know that because I overheard a couple of their conversations the last time he was in town and stopped to see us. I don’t mean us; my brother is the one he wanted to see. He’s been gone a while.”
Calla definitely picked up on the fact that Darcy was easily rattled when it came to talking about Dalton Conners.
“And you said he isn’t married?”
Darcy put the lid on the jar and made a concentrated effort on closing it tightly.
Hmmmm… Dalton and Darcy? “Does he live here?”
“He’s more footloose than his brothers. He doesn’t stay long in any one place. And no, he isn’t married… at least not that I’ve heard about.”
“Any chance he’ll be at the festivities… rodeo? Dance?”
“I doubt it. But if he is, he’s selective in who he spends time with. Us locals don’t really register on his radar much.” The jar went into the cabinet and it was shut a little more decisively than Calla expected.
“I’ve got to get back to the diner. Give me a call if you need another jar of cream. Don’t forget we’re meeting Amanda at the airport at eight-thirty in the morning. See you later.” Darcy didn’t waste much time in departing.
Calla did her best to tone down some of the pinkness of her face with some extra makeup the next day. She chose a white, two-piece sundress outfit with the eyelet top having longer cap sleeves in order to protect the already burnt skin of her shoulders. The fuller skirt left a lot of tanned legs showing. About an inch of her midriff was bared between the top of the skirt and the bottom of the top in a playful style. She added a pair of white strappy sandals, her straw tote bag and a wide-brimmed straw sunhat and she was ready when Darcy honked her horn.
“I love that outfit. If I could tan like you, I would wear those cute cropped tops more often.”
“Thanks,” Calla said, buckling the seat belt and settling in. She gave her companion’s outfit a look. “You’ve got a great figure for the belted look. That green color and the wide gold belt are perfect.”
“Well, I figured I needed to step up my fashion sense today since my usual jeans just don’t seem quite right to celebrate my first, and probably only, ride in a private jet. You might have to keep pinching me on the flight so I can remember it’s not a dream.” She ended on a laugh and shake of her head.
Calla had to admit that someone might need to pinch her too, as a few minutes later they pulled in beside Amanda’s vehicle at the private air strip hangar. Amanda, dressed in a bright pink and yellow designer jumpsuit with bright fuchsia accessories and her blonde hair swept back, looked like a model in an ad beside her sleek Gulfstream. Now this is how to beat traffic.
And the normal two-hour drive into the city, took just three-quarters of an hour. The three ladies were being chauffeured through the traffic in a large, black SUV by a very well-built security man named Alex.
“Let’s get the items on our list first, then we can relax at lunch, before we hit some shops for fun. Sound like a plan?” Amanda proposed the idea and Calla and Darcy made it unanimous.
Calla had to admit it had been a while since she had such fun and felt relaxed in the midst of so much activity. She laughed more than she had in a long time when they got a bit carried away in the shop where they were supposed to be purchasing tiaras for the pageant winner and finalists. The tiaras grew larger in size and opulence and then Darcy found feather boas to go along with them and then jeweled sunglasses were added so that each of them created their own pageant look. Alex did the photography duties and the moment was captured for posterity… or for the most opportune embarrassing moment later on. They collapsed in laughter. The smiling sales lady just shook her head as she packaged their more sedate tiara purchases along with the ribbon sashes.
No visit to the Alamo City would be complete without having lunch on the patio of a shady bistro overlooking the famed Riverwalk. Amanda lifted her champagne flute.
“Ladies, a Mimosa toast to a successful shopping expedition this morning and to an even better one this afternoon!” The glasses clinked in their fine crystal tones.
“I could get used to this,” Darcy sighed, settling back into the deep cushions of her patio chair. “It sure beats shopping in McKenna Springs and dining at the Diner.”
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with either of those things,” Amanda replied, returning her glass to the table top.
“Neither do I,” Calla chimed in. “I can speak from vast experience, when I say that there’s something to be said for the peaceful ambiance of McKenna Springs and your diner over the usual tourist and traffic noise found here in the city along this stretch of river.”
“Thanks, both of you, but it’s nice to take a little break from the usual.”
“You seem to be settling into the flow of small town life easy enough,” Amanda observed, her smile falling on Calla. “Or so I’ve heard.”
Calla gaze a small grimace. “I can image what you’ve heard over McKenna’s grapevine.”
“It has been active of late. Particularly concerning the sudden interest our mayor has been taking in the upcoming celebration and a certain dance hall. Of course, it probably has a lot more to do with the proprietress of said establishment?”
“Please note that I was not the one to bring up Ty Conners in conversation today,” Darcy spoke up with a grin at Calla.
“Sorry, if I said something wrong?” Amanda looked contrite and sent a questioning glance at Darcy and then over to Calla.
“No.” Calla shook her head slowly. “It’s okay. The rumor mill is alive and well, but you can’t and shouldn’t believe any of it. Ty has been most helpful to me and to my sisters. That’s as far as it goes.”
Amanda and Darcy shared looks with each other. Then they looked at Calla. “Of course.”
Calla shook her head big time. “You two need to take your act on the road.”
Thankfully, their food arrived at that time and while they ate, conversation centered on neutral topics. Calla picked up the check when it came, much to the protests of the other two.
“Sorry, but while I can’t say we’ll take my plane next time we come shopping, I can at least pay for a few plates of salad and drinks.”
“Calla Rose? I thought that was you.” The tall, thin red-haired woman stopped at the table, her companion moving onward to wait inside the restaurant itself. “I’m sorry to interrupt your lunch, but I wanted to say hello.”
“Gwen! It’s lovely to see you. I’m glad you did stop. How are you?”
“Same to you. I’m on a late lunch. I work at the Humphrey firm now.” She opened her purse and slipped out a slim card, handing it to Calla. Calla did the same, handing her one of the Yellow Rose cards. The fact Gwen was no longer at the law firm with the Kirkwood’s caught Calla by surprise. She figured she would be there for a very long time to come.
“I won’t intrude any longer but would love to get together and visit sometime soon.”
Calla read the message the woman’s brown eyes was sending be
neath the words. Something was up… what, she had no idea.
“You all have a lovely lunch,” Gwen was saying and left them with a smile and nod.
“I take it you used to work together?” Darcy asked.
“Yes, I’m sorry she didn’t give me time to introduce you both. But we did work together for about three years.”
“Do you miss it?” The question came from Amanda.
Calla took a moment or two to answer. “I don’t miss the firm, no. I do miss practicing the law now and then.”
“You should open an office in McKenna.”
“I’ve told her the same thing.” Darcy nodded in agreement.
“You could find a manager for the dance hall and that would allow you to practice your law again. I might even know some people who would welcome having a good lawyer in our neck of the woods.” Amanda smiled and gave a light wink. It was clear she was referring to herself and her celebrity husband.
“Tempting, but I have to get the dance hall on its feet before I take anything else on my plate.”
“Well, I think it’s time to go find some outfits for the coming festivities that we can’t live without and make us irresistible to a lot of cowboys,” Darcy said, pushing back from the table. “Of course, you two already have your cowboys, so that means we all need to help me out!” She ended with laughter.
“Let’s get to it, ladies.” Calla agreed with a grin, grateful to put talk of the law and its reminders of her time at the law firm behind her. She was determined to enjoy the rest of the time away from her responsibilities in McKenna Springs. And Darcy’s comment about her having her cowboy already roosted in the back of her mind. Ty Conners wasn’t her cowboy. He wasn’t her anything. Why did she feel like she was trying to convince someone… like herself?
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
‘Have you had dinner yet?’ The text came through a half hour after Calla arrived back at home. She had put away her purchases and just changed into a pair of denim shorts and a turquoise halter top. It was from Ty.
‘No. Long day. Probably have a sandwich.’
‘Relax. I’ve got it covered. See you in twenty.’
For a moment, her fingers hesitated over the keyboard. She should tell him not to come by. She was tired. Not necessarily the truth, but… she still could hear Darcy’s words in the back of her mind. Did Ty think there was something between them? He was good at flirting, she had to give him that. Was that all it was? Maybe she was just making too much of it. No reason they couldn’t be friends and have dinner now and then, was there?
‘Ok.’
She made a pitcher of sweet tea and put it in the refrigerator. Then she toyed with the idea of putting her hair back in the sleek ponytail she had worn it in earlier that day but decided to just let it hang about her shoulders and back. She slipped her feet into a pair of white flip flops with painted butterflies on them. No use dressing up for a stay-at-home evening. It was just Ty… being a good neighbor. Right. Did she really think she could fool herself with that description?
Moving out onto the front porch, she was joined by Tiger, who curled up next to her, a paw on her leg. Calla tickled her fingers over the soft head and behind the ears, eliciting soft purrs from the feline. Shadows and a light breeze made the garden take on a welcoming aura of solitude. Here and there, splashes of color were beginning to make a showing… thanks to Lily’s efforts.
The familiar pickup pulled into the drive and shut off its engine. The tall figure unfolded from it, then reached into the back seat. When he turned, she could see Ty carried two plastic bags, one in each hand. And he looked good… oh lord. Tight jeans did his long legs justice, the light gray t-shirt was a smooth second skin over abs and pecs and a hard body that made her moisten her lips with a sudden rush of nerves. Good enough to eat. And she wasn’t thinking of the food he carried.
Geez, Calla… you’ve been hanging around Darcy too long.
“Hope you’re hungry. I sort of got carried away at Cruz’s. Of course, what you don’t eat tonight is always better tomorrow.” He cast that megawatt grin in her direction as he reached the bottom step and paused. “You hungry now or in a little while?”
Best to make it an early evening. “Let’s eat now.” She rose, dusting off the seat of her shorts as she turned toward the house. She held the door open for him to enter first. Tiger scooted through behind him.
Ty sat the sacks on the table in the kitchen alcove and began emptying the cartons of BBQ beef and sausage, pinto beans, potato salad, and cherry cobbler. Calla got out the plates, glasses and utensils. “Tea or water? I can go over to the hall and grab a couple of beers if you prefer that.”
“Sweet tea sounds just right.”
“This looks and smells delicious.” She poured the drinks and slid into the booth seat across from him. “My stomach tells me I might be hungry after all.”
Ty passed the meat to her. “I figure you ladies probably had salads for lunch and sparkling water?”
“Half right,” she said, passing the beans over to him. “We skipped the sparkling water and had Mimosas instead.”
“My, my… living it up in the big city.” He took a bite of his food. She did the same. “So how was the city visit? You find you still miss it… all the stuff you can do and see? Your friends?” Ty’s gaze might have been on his plate, but she had the feeling he was more intent on her answer than the food.
“I guess I found that it surprised me.” She took a sip of tea and gathered her thoughts.
“How so?” This time, his gaze was on her.
“I noticed things that I guess I had ignored before or just took for granted. The amount of traffic, the noise level and crowds almost continuous from morning into evening. People passing each other on the streets and not even looking at the other person or acknowledging them. Too much hurry and everyone insulated in their own little worlds.” She stopped. “I do love the city, but I guess…”
“Maybe you’ve discovered something else you love as much or more,” he added for her.
Had the air grown thinner in the kitchen? Her brain needed more oxygen. Was he talking about the city, or McKenna Springs… or something more personal? Was it the use of the ‘L’ word that had thrown her mind off course?
“Don’t look so stricken, Calla. I’ll let you get by with thinking I’m talking about McKenna Springs versus the big city.”
How could he read her thoughts better than she could? And yet he let her slide by in giving her an easy out. Who was Ty Conners? She took a longer look at the man across from her as he returned his attention to the food. What you see was what you got with the man. She had discovered that early on. No pretentiousness. Wherever she went, she heard people mention him with respect and genuine liking. Maybe he was one of the ‘good ones’ that people alluded to, but she had yet to come across. He definitely had found his way into her thoughts and staked a place for himself.
“Dessert?” She asked a few minutes later when they both had pushed back from their plates. Rising, she reached for his plate to add to the top of hers as she began to clear the table.
“How about we wait a bit on that one? I might need to wait until I can find some room to adequately enjoy it.” He followed her to the sink with the glasses. While she loaded the dishwasher, he put away the food. She finished by setting the coffee maker to make some coffee to go along with the dessert later. They ended up on the front porch again by mutual agreement. It was too nice an evening to stay inside. The scent of honeysuckle grew stronger in the early evening air. Tiger hopped up on the railing and studied the lightning bugs becoming visible in the garden.
Calla opted against the porch step in favor of the porch swing and its cushioned seating. She didn’t object when Ty joined her, his booted foot gently nudging the swing into a slow motion. It felt nice not to feel like a person had to make conversation. They each seemed to find a mutual contentment in the peace of the evening and letting the sounds of the growing twilight be the only interruption.
They passed a few minutes in companionable silence.
“You look like you have some heavy thoughts going through that head of yours,” she observed. “That must be the third or fourth sigh.”
An upturn of the corner of his mouth told her he really didn’t mind her comment.
“I suppose I do.”
“Anything I can do to help out?”
“As a matter of fact, you can. Or at least I hope you’ll be amenable to helping me understand more.”
“More about what?” He had definitely intrigued her with his statement.
“What happened to get you to leave your big city and come back here? I’m thinking there’s more to it than just the handling of this property. I’m also thinking there’s a man involved. Have I come close?”
Her silence was long. What would he say if she told him about the most embarrassing low point of her life? It could change his mind on some things. Better to find out now.
“I worked very hard to be on a fast track to what I thought would be a junior partnership in the firm I gave every minute of my life to for six years. Being one of only three females in a firm where the good ol’boy system was alive and well… I should have known better.”
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of, wanting to better yourself and I’m sure it took guts to fight that system each day.” He was trying to be supportive. Calla needed to give him the complete picture.
“The senior partner had a son, Barclay, who was… who is an amazing litigator. I was flattered when he showed an interest in me… in my abilities. He became a mentor to me. I knew that he was separated from his wife, who lived on the west coast. They were in the process of divorcing. Barclay made it clear that he wanted he and I to have something more than a professional relationship.” She paused and watched him covertly for a reaction. It was difficult to read him. He remained quiet and gave little away of his thoughts, his gaze on the tip of his boot.
“Barclay more or less promised me that he was certain his father and the other partners would be giving the junior spot to me. I believed him. Right up until the moment when Barclay Senior walked in to the office with his son’s wife on his arm and announced the partnership had been given to another attorney… a male and one who couldn’t even begin to match my billable hours or client list.”