by Debra Holt
“Just why are you talking to yourself?” Darcy had walked in the door and drew her attention. She wasn’t alone. Two male figures filled the doorway behind her. One had jade eyes that locked on hers immediately. Please don’t let me be blushing right now. The room heated a bit and she prayed it wasn’t just her cheeks. Play it cool.
“Maybe she’s like me,” Reid said, smiling at her. “She needs to have an intelligent conversation. That’s why I do it.”
Laughter diffused the situation and she felt herself relax a bit. Bless the man’s heart.
“Come in… make yourselves comfortable.” Calla stepped into her hostess role. “I had a tray made up so let me get it and some cold drinks out of the bar area.”
“I’ll help,” Darcy spoke up.
“We’ll play bartender if you don’t mind?” For the first time, Ty spoke since coming in the door.
Calla managed an even smile in his direction. “That would be great. The drinks are in the small refrigerator. Thanks.”
She and Darcy entered the kitchen just as her cell phone went off. She recognized the caller ID as the fifth member of their group. “Hi, Anita. Are you running late?”
“Sorry, but I have to bow out, Calla. My son has come down with strep throat of all things. My husband’s still in Austin at his convention so I don’t have a backup. I’m sure you can find a replacement for me, right?”
Calla’s mind was doing a quick search in her mind even as she spoke. “Sure, Anita. You take care of your son and don’t worry about us. It’s no problem.”
The call concluded a couple seconds later, and she turned to find Darcy scrolling through her own phone. “I don’t know who we can call in right now… most of the committees are already maxed out on double or triple duties.”
Calla shook her head and slid her cell into her back pocket. “Don’t worry. I have it covered. Be right back in a flash.” One good thing about living so close to her workplace, she could dash across a yard and be home in nothing flat. She found Jaz had returned to the couch and was reading the local newspaper, one eye on the television screen while an old western played.
“I need you. Come with me.”
“Excuse me? I’m a bit busy right now.”
Calla took the newspaper out of her fingers and the remote came next, silencing the screen. “There…all taken care of. Now you’re free. Let’s go.” She took her sister’s arm and helped her move faster.
“And just where are we going in such a hurry? Maybe I’m not dressed for it.”
Calla stopped at the bottom of the porch steps and gave her sister a once over. Denim shorts… red, white and blue Texas boots… red camisole with a white cotton shirt open over it. Carelessly gorgeous was the term that came to mind. Typical Jaz. For a moment, she wondered if it would be wise to put her in the same vicinity with a male such as Ty, but it was a bit late to think along those lines. Silly thought anyway.
“You’ll do. Come on. We need another judge and you’re going to be able to experience some of that ‘civic duty’, too.”
It was Jaz’s turn to halt their progress right outside the hall’s door.
“What civic duty? I don’t live here, remember?”
“But it benefits our business, therefore, you want to do your part, too… right?”
“Since you put it like that, but…”
“We have our fifth guest judge,” Calla announced, bringing her sister along in her wake, still not letting go of her arm until they reached the table where the others were eyeing their approach.
The two men actually stood from their seats. A chair was found that happened to be between the pair of them. Calla was going to place her between Darcy and herself but looked like she was too late. She kept her smile on her face while Jaz suddenly became all friendly and took the chair they offered. She was familiar with that certain smile on her sister’s face. What was she up to?
“Thanks, gentlemen.” Jaz perked up with a bright smile… first in Ty’s direction. That was not lost on Calla. “I’m so glad I was able to help you out. This should be fun.”
“This duty is suddenly looking up.” Ty gave her a grin in return. “Glad you came home this weekend.”
“Thanks so am I.” Jaz turned toward the silent man on the other side of her. He was taking a sip of his drink, his attention seemingly on the view out the window across from him. “Hello, again, Mr. Fire Marshall. Been keeping busy with your welcome wagon duties?”
Those dark eyes turned in her direction with a silent assessment before he spoke. “I gave up that sideline. I’ve been a bit busy.”
“Pity. You had a real knack for it.”
That caused the eyes to narrow a bit and a spark of something lit them… but only for a moment. “Thanks.” He went back to the view beyond the window.
Jaz shot a look across at her sister. Calla stepped into the breach.
“Let’s look at each applicant’s bio, shall we? We need to coordinate our questions, don’t you all agree?”
“Just shoot me now and put me out of my misery.” The whisper came from Darcy beside her, and Calla was grateful. She had allowed her mind to wander and almost get lost in other thoughts while the present contestant was still reciting her original poetry. So far, they had listened to two pianists, a fiddler, watched two baton exhibitions, and one would-be actress perform a scene from a Broadway play. Now they were being tortured by a poet. They had led the competition off with the individual interviews of the candidates.
Finally, the poem was finished. Ty thanked all the contestants and gave them instructions on the next phase of the competition which would be evening gown, followed by the announcement and crowning of the court during the opening night festivities of the hall the following weekend. Once that was done, the long afternoon was completed.
“If you all don’t have prior plans, our sister Lily extended an invitation to each of you for dinner after we’re done here.”
“That’s a nice invitation, but I have to ask for a raincheck?” Reid spoke up. He was already on his feet and looked like he was ready to be on his way.
“Of course,” Calla nodded with a smile. She saw a look pass over her sister’s features, but it disappeared so quickly she thought she might have imagined it. Or had she? Interesting.
“It would be great not to taste my own cooking. Count me in. Anything I can do to help?” Darcy gathered her folder and purse.
“Just follow me,” Jaz piped up, eager to be on her way for some reason. The women followed Reid’s departure by a couple of minutes.
“Looks like that leaves us to close this place down.” Ty gave her a smile and reached for the used plates and cups.
“Looks like.” Calla picked up what he didn’t, leading the way into the kitchen. “Just set the things on the cabinet. You don’t have to waste time doing this. I’m sure you must have plans for the evening you want to get on with.”
Ty continued to place the trash in its container. “I do have dinner plans with a lovely lady.”
Calla almost lost her grip on the large tray she was placing inside the dish machine. Thankfully, she recovered quickly enough. A date. She should have known. He was a healthy and eligible male. Why wouldn’t he be going out and having fun? Maybe she shouldn’t have slammed the machine’s door so forcefully.
“Something wrong?”
Calla didn’t turn and look at him. She kept her attention on the food dish she was covering with foil. She managed a shrug of her shoulder. “Nope. It’s just been a long afternoon.”
“That it has. Thanks again for being a good sport about all this. I know you have a full plate just trying to get this place ready for the big day next weekend. What you’re doing with the improvements and all… you’re really going to have a good investment here.”
“Well, we need to get the doors open on a regular basis, so we can start seeing a return on that investment.” She tried to make it sound like a light comment while shielding just how much truth was in the wor
ds. The line was getting thinner between black ink and red ink on the ledger sheet. But that was her worry and no one else’s. She put the last of the items away and nothing was left but to head to the house. And he could take his leave.
Ty didn’t seem to be in too big a rush to leave, however, waiting patiently outside while she locked the doors and made sure all was in order for the evening. The sun was setting, and the sound of crickets was increasing in the dusk of the evening. Nothing for it but to see him on his way… to his date.
“Thanks again for your help today and hope you have a good evening.” Calla turned in the direction of the house. She had gone a few steps when she realized he was a couple of steps behind her. She stopped and turned to face him. “Is there something else? You know you don’t need to walk me to my front door. You can go on with your plans for the evening.”
“I am going on with my plans,” he replied in matter of fact tones. “I’m on my way to have dinner with a beautiful lady… well, more than one beautiful lady to be accurate. Three, to be exact. You did invite me.”
The light dawned on her. He wasn’t going on a date with someone else. Ty meant he was having dinner with them. An intense feeling of relief swept through her and she turned toward the house once more, not wanting him to sense the change. “Then we better not keep the others waiting.” It was even more difficult to keep the small bit of smile from escaping, but he didn’t see that either.
“Okay, you’ve got to give me this recipe,” Darcy said, eyeing Lily across the table. “This is delicious. I’d love to feature this in the diner sometime.”
“I second that.” Ty nodded in agreement. “This is the best lasagna I’ve ever tasted.”
Lily beamed her pleasure at their guests’ compliments. “Thank you, both. I haven’t made it in a while, so I wasn’t sure if it would come out as it should.”
“Lily takes after our mother in the kitchen department.” Jaz flashed a smile at her little sister. “The garden, too. In fact, make that anything remotely related to being a great homemaker.”
“So that’s your handiwork outside, too?” Darcy shook her head. “I can’t keep anything alive for very long. I missed the line when they were passing out green thumbs.”
“What about you, Ty?” Jaz turned her attention on the lone man at the table. “Do you cook or have a green thumb?”
Ty gave a laugh along with the others. “I cook on the grill… meat and potatoes. For anything else, I can be found down at Darcy’s diner. And there’s nothing but brown things in the flower beds at the ranch I’m afraid. Although, I might try to steal Lily away for help on that one.”
“I wish I had the time. But my little car and I are heading back to the city early tomorrow.”
“It would be great if you could find a position here in McKenna Springs.”
“That would be great, Darcy. But I’ve been in the job I have for a few years now. It isn’t so bad.”
“Well, I’ll help you clear the table and do the dishes.” Darcy was already rising.
“You’re a guest, Darcy.” Jaz stood also. “I’ve got this.” Her words fell on deaf ears as Darcy continued to clear and carry dishes to the kitchen with a smile on her face. Jaz turned to Ty… taking the two glasses out of his hands. “At least you can listen. Calla take him outside on the porch… coffee is made, and that cream pie will be cut in a moment. I’ll bring it out.”
Calla shot a quick look at her sisters, but they were intent on not looking in her direction. Could they be any more obvious?
Once on the porch, neither of them made a move toward the rockers or porch swing. Calla paused at the top of the steps and Ty moved to stand close by, one shoulder leaning against one of the pillars.
“It’s a nice evening.” Was that all she could come up with?
“Yes, it is. The moon should be a full one by next Friday. Isn’t that a good luck omen or something? For your grand re-opening?”
Calla smiled. “Well, I don’t know about that, but I’ll certainly take it as such.”
“The lightning bugs are out in force tonight.”
The flickering lights rose and fell and disappeared only to reappear in another location across the soft grass. “I used to chase them when I was a child. I thought they were pure magic in how they could disappear one moment and reappear somewhere else the next.”
“Did you ever catch them and put them in a jar?”
“Never,” she shook her head at the thought. “I thought that would hurt them to smother them in a jar. They deserved to be free in the night air.”
“Even then you had a soft heart for a living creature.”
His comment got her attention. “How do you know I have a soft heart?”
His head turned and nodded toward the doorway where a small furry head watched them from inside the house. “I rest my case.”
“Okay, so she’s growing on me. How’s your hand by the way?”
He held the palm out to her for inspection. Her fingertips lightly touched the end of his as her eyes noted all but two of the places were uncovered. “The deepest ones are healing okay?”
“They’re better. I take care of them the way I saw you do it and keep them covered when I’m working outside or have my gloves on. You did good work. Maybe you should have been a doctor instead of an attorney.”
“Maybe.” Her eyes went back to the garden and the darkness beyond it.
“I’m sorry. I seem to have said something I shouldn’t.”
“No… it’s okay. Life just has a way of changing plans on you in mid-stream sometime. Less than a year ago, I would have said a person was insane if they had told me I would be living back in McKenna Springs and running a dance hall. Just goes to show you never know what lies ahead.”
“That’s true enough. I just know I’m very glad that life had this change of plans for you. Otherwise, we might never have met.”
Her gaze met his and like other times, it was held in place. Her pulse rate did a steep climb. “Yes, well, there is that.”
“Hope you’re ready for this chocolate cream pie.” Jaz pushed the screen open with a foot while balancing two plates of sliced pie and Darcy and Lily were right behind her. Calla was both grateful for the interrupted moment and disappointed. She didn’t dissect the reasoning; she just acknowledged she could feel both things and that was okay.
The dessert was the perfect ending to a perfect meal. They all sat in the quiet of the porch, conversation lagging in their fullness. Ty stood with some reluctance. “Lily, ladies…” and his smile encompassed them all. “I hate to take my leave, but I still have some work waiting for me on my desk. I can’t thank you all enough for enduring my company and sharing such a great meal with me. I’ll return the favor one afternoon at the ranch with some of my specialty… barbeque ribs. As long as I can talk you into bringing the dessert… another chocolate cream pie… or two?”
Lily returned his grin. “That’s a deal. In fact, I have another one in the kitchen that will just waste around here with only Calla to eat it. I’m going to make it to go for you. Let me put it into a carrier. Be right back.” She didn’t wait for a reply.
“I’ll help with that.” Jaz stood and made her exit.
“And I need to head home. Thanks for everything, Calla. Ty, I’ll see you at the diner tomorrow for your usual coffee, I’m sure. I’ll run in and tell the girls goodnight.”
“So, here we are again. Is it just me, or does this seem like some plan or something?”
“Or something.” Calla returned his wry grin with one of her own. “You’ll have to learn to ignore them… I do. Then maybe they’ll move on to torture someone else with their thinly-veiled attempts.”
“I don’t think I want to ignore them… not totally. They’re amusing and have your best interests at heart, I’m sure.”
“My best interests?”
“Well, your sisters hardly know me. So, I surmise it’s you who are their main target in all this. And if I can help out by
being the chosen male in their grand scheme of things, then who am I to say no to them and their wise choice?”
Was he making fun of her? He seemed serious enough. Unchartered waters were looming on the near horizon. If she weren’t careful, they just might drown her.
“Thanks, for coming to dinner and for all you’ve done on the committee. It hasn’t been too bad.”
“And she changes the subject when it gets personal.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I have news for you, Miss Rose. It’s about to get real personal. Think you can handle it?”
The air had become very heavy in a matter of seconds. Something had changed… what, she had no idea, but it was a bit scary, and a bit exciting, and was he moving closer? Her breath held.
“Sorry, Ty, we couldn’t find the carrier.” Saved by the bell… or in this case, by Lily. “I’ll just have Calla drop it off to your tomorrow. Is that okay?”
Thankfully, the air came back, and Calla could breathe again. Ty just smiled. “That’s totally okay. I’ll look forward to it. ‘Night ladies.” He touched the brim of his hat and left them on their front porch. Calla made every effort to not watch his departure. But her mind was working a mile a minute. What was it that he was asking? No answer came to mind. To be continued.
CHAPTER TEN
“I think last night went very well. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.” Jaz stowed the overnight bag in the back of her car and shut the door. Then she turned to her sisters. Lily had already packed her things into her vehicle.
“Remember, I wrote out the recipe for the lasagna and placed it on the fridge for you to give to Darcy for me. The other cream pie is in the box on the bottom shelf of the fridge in its carrier. You need to drop it off to Ty today without fail. Okay?”
Calla stifled the need to roll her eyes as she listened for the fourth time to Lily’s reminders. “I’ve got it all memorized. I will do everything as instructed.”
“Funny how the pie carrier couldn’t be found last night when Ty was here, but it showed up on the pantry shelf this morning.” Jaz’s delivery was dry, no hint of irony. She levelled an innocent gaze in Lily’s direction. Lily returned it just as steady.