by Becki Willis
“Just asking to be sure. So let me show you the design I had in mind.” Nick opened his iPad and pulled up a computer-generated drawing.
“Oh, Nicky, this is delightful!” Kiki beamed. She bent her dark head over the design, examining every feature.
As she and Nick discussed various options, Madison slipped away and approached Brash. “Sorry about all this,” she murmured. “I had no idea you were coming home today.”
“I couldn’t go another day without seeing you,” he said, keeping his voice low. “I thought we both could use some river therapy.”
Dismay filled Madison’s face. “I leave for Dallas this afternoon, remember?”
He swore softly. “Damn it, I forgot!”
“I thought you were trying to stop cursing,” she chided.
“Some things merit a relapse,” he growled. From the corner of his mouth, he bewailed, “I was planning a special evening for us, Maddy.”
A weary sigh was her only answer. Kiki had turned toward them, an expectant look on her face. “Maddy? Don’t you want to see this? Nick has truly outdone himself this time!”
Trying to look enthused, Madison returned to the drawing they ogled. She had to admit, it was impressive.
“I wanted it to be special for you, Madison,” Nick said quietly.
“Thank you, Nick.”
“Hopefully you’ll think of me each time you see it.” He murmured the last so the others could not hear. Somehow his fingers brushed against hers as he repositioned the device they both held.
Madison tried to hide her dismay. She had suspected Nick was interested in pursuing their attraction to one another, but he seldom made his intentions so obvious. She wondered if he did so now because of Brash. Men could be so childishly territorial.
All she needed was for Brash to storm over and set Nick straight on which man claimed her heart. Before the lawman got wind of Nick’s subtle overture, Maddy discreetly pulled her fingers away and stepped backward. “So is this the wall where it will be?” she asked in a falsely bright voice.
Kiki sent her a quizzical look. “No, I assumed you would want it on the opposite wall. That way you could watch television from the bed or the chairs.”
“Of—Of course. Good idea.”
“So I can proceed with the design?” Nick confirmed. He was the only one who understood Madison’s confused act. “I wanted to start on it this weekend.”
“Yes, yes, they’re great.” She looked down at her watch. “Speaking of this weekend, I really need to start packing. Was there anything else?”
“I need to confirm filming for next Thursday,” Kiki clarified. “We’ll need to decide on a final color scheme so that I can present it to you on camera. You’ll be appropriately undecided, of course, but once you make your choice we’ll all be delighted.” Her hands shimmied in the air like tambourines.
Madison was still getting accustomed to how ‘reality’ television worked. In truth, it was actually quite unrealistic and often heavily scripted. The hardest part for her was acting surprised, when she knew good and well what was going to happen. She was not a professional actress and lacked Blake’s gift for drama. Granny Bert’s, too. Now there are a couple of natural-born performers for you, she thought with an internal shake of her head.
“Send me my choices and we’ll go from there,” Madison answered aloud. “Nick, it really is a great design. Thanks for coming up with it. You and Kiki are doing a great job.” She turned her attention to the lawman. “Brash, you needed to talk to me? You can walk me to my car.”
“Absolutely.”
***
He followed her home, where they managed to find a few moments alone after a two-week absence.
“I’ve missed you, Maddy,” he murmured into her hair. They snuggled on the sofa, arms entwined.
“I’ve missed you, too.”
“Are you sure you have to go this weekend?” He scattered kisses along her neck. Warm breath fanned across her cheek as he nuzzled her ear. “I could make it worth your while if you stayed.”
“Don’t tempt me.”
“I’d like to try.” He turned her into his arms, kissing her with his exceptional persuasive powers.
She came close to giving in, but reason finally returned to her love-addled brain. She pulled slightly away. “I have to go,” she whispered sadly.
“I know.” His sigh was resigned.
“I don’t want to.” She twisted so that she could settle against his broad chest and wrap herself in his arms. “Except for bringing the twins home, I’d gladly skip this entire weekend.”
“Maybe it won’t be so bad.” He tried to sound encouraging, but the effort failed.
“I wish I could take you with me,” she whispered sorrowfully. “Maybe I could tolerate all the pomp and circumstance if I had you there by my side.”
“I don’t think Mommy Dearest would appreciate that.”
“So you’ve met my mother-in-law, have you? Because you have her pegged to a tee.”
“Come on, surely she’s not that bad. You let the kids go up there this summer.”
“Only because she is their grandmother and for some insane reason, they happen to love her.”
“Warts and all?” Brash teased, trying to lighten the heavy mood that had settled around her shoulders.
“Big, fat, hairy warts. She just keeps them hidden beneath designer clothes and expensive makeup.”
Brash rubbed his cheek against hers. “I may not be there in the flesh, but I’ll be there in spirit. I’ll always have your back, sweetheart.”
“I know. And I appreciate that more than you know,” she said softly. “Because believe me, this weekend is not going to be pretty.”
CHAPTER FOUR
It was already a busy day at the café, even before the tour bus pulled into the parking lot.
Genny watched its progress, wondering if the bus was lost. Not many tours made their way into the tiny towns of Naomi and Juliet, Texas.
One glimpse at the t-shirts, and she knew why they were here. As a swarm of bright yellow-clad women emerged from the specialized van, Genesis grabbed the phone and called her best friend.
“Maddy, you have to get over here. You will never believe what just pulled up at the café.”
“Bart McSwain’s new truck? The one with the deer horns mounted on the hood and the half-naked woman in camo on the tailgate? I saw it yesterday. The ultimate redneck-mobile.”
Genny shook her blond head, even though her friend couldn’t see. “Think bigger.”
Madison groaned. “Granny Bert didn’t really buy a new motor home, did she?” Eighty years young, her grandmother vowed to keep the roads hot this summer, making as many state parks as her busy schedule would allow. She contemplated doing so in a newer model of luxury-on-wheels.
“No. Just come down here and see for yourself!”
“I can’t. I’ve already left for Dallas. I’m a good half-hour out of town. What was it you wanted me to see?”
“Are you ready for this?” Genny cleared her throat, her equivalent to a drumroll. “A tour bus just pulled up. And there’s a dozen women inside, all wearing bright yellow t-shirts that say ‘Take me to the Big House. I’ll serve my time in The Sisters.’”
After a long silence, Madison managed a strangled, “You’ve got to be kidding.”
“Oh, no. They’re about to come through the door as we speak.”
“Good luck?” Her tone was as much doubtful as it was encouraging.
“I may need it,” Genny said with a rueful purse of her lips. “Now that Shilo Dawne has quit, we’re short staffed. Call me later and I’ll give you the full scoop.”
“On Shilo Dawne or the tour?”
“The tour. There’s no scoop on Shilo Dawne. Cutter broke her heart when he told her he wasn’t interested, so she’s moved away to concentrate on her studies. She’s taking a full course at Blinn College this summer.” The door dinged and a sea of yellow flowed inside. “I gotta go. Be
safe. Call me and let me know how the weekend goes.”
“You can count on it!”
Genny welcomed the group of women with a smile that was, for the most part, genuine. A tiny piece of her resented the intrusion of privacy, but each time the negative feelings began to wash over her, she reminded herself of her part in bringing Home Again to The Sisters. She and Granny Bert were the ones to come up with the bright idea of submitting Madison’s house for consideration in the first place.
The group, she discovered, was from Longview. They originally formed as a book club, but recently changed their identity to an all-media club. This, they claimed, broadened their horizons and allowed them to explore other venues of entertainment. This trip to The Sisters was their first field trip to a non-literary location.
For the next half-hour, Genny and her staff scuttled around the café. New Beginnings was always crowded during the noon hour, without an added fifteen guests from the tour bus.
From the corner of her eye, Genesis saw one of her regular customers step inside the packed building. He paused with the door still ajar as he searched for an empty table.
“Hey, Hank, there’s a spot open at the bar,” she called out helpfully.
“Thanks, Genny.” The older man tottered off to claim the prized availability.
Genny was amused that the tour group found her café so exciting. The women chronicled everything with their smart phones and cameras, from the decor and the people, right down to their plates when they were delivered.
“Ooh, this looks so delicious,” one cooed, snapping a photo of her pan-seared tilapia.
“The presentation is perfect.”
“And just taste this risotto. I wonder if she would give us the recipe.”
“She really should offer her own recipe book. I’d buy one. Wouldn’t you, Mary Ann?”
“Absolutely. Oh, look! Look who’s coming in the door!”
An excited murmur rippled through the yellow sea. Genny glanced toward the door to see what, or who, created such a stir. She gave a knowing smile when Cutter Montgomery stepped inside.
The man faltered as he crossed the threshold. Despite his ‘heartthrob’ status among females from the ages of three to ninety-three, he always seemed embarrassed by the attention given to his rugged good looks. Even now, as the excited whispers and occasional outburst drifted his way, a faint blush stained his cheeks and he seemed ready to bolt.
His eyes scanned the café. He visibly relaxed when he spotted Genny. As a ready smile engulfed his face, Genny swore she heard half the women in yellow swoon.
“Hey, Genny,” he said, joining her at the counter. “What’s with the yellow shirts?”
“Believe it or not, we have the honor of being a field trip for the Longview All-Media Club.” She flashed her dimples with exaggerated excitement.
“Hmm. How ‘bout that.”
“So what are you doing here so early? You usually eat later in the day.”
“I’m meeting my dad here for lunch.”
She looked over his shoulder to the crowded room beyond. “I think there’s a booth about to open up by the windows, if you want to hang out here for a few minutes.”
“Think I could score a cookie while I wait?” His grin was part mischief, part indulgence. One hundred percent charm.
“I’ll see what I can do. And I won’t even mention that it might spoil your appetite.”
“You know better than that, Genny. I’m never too full to eat your cooking.”
Two women from the tour group approached, cameras in hand. “Oh, look, Mary Ann,” one of the women squealed. “They are so cute together! Just like on TV.”
The other one blurted out, “Excuse me, but can we take your picture?”
Cutter was clearly uncomfortable. He glanced at Genesis for help, but she merely grinned. “Uh, yeah, sure,” he mumbled.
Genny started to move away, but the one named Mary Ann stopped her with a hastily waved hand. “No, no, you, too. You make such a cute couple!” she gushed. Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial level. “I don’t care what Janet Hatcher says, Barbi and I have known all along that you two are an item.”
Barbi nudged her friend’s elbow with a huge grin on her face. She did not even attempt a whisper as she said, “Did you see how they just naturally gravitated to one another? Just like they do on camera. If they’re in the same room, they wind up side by side, every time!”
While Genny blushed a deep crimson and avoided Cutter’s eyes, Mary Ann bobbed her head up and down, all the while grinning at her friend. “I know, I know. Aren’t they cute together? Did you see how he dropped his head to talk to her, like she was the only person in the room?”
“It reminded me of that episode when he wore his boots and spurs inside the restaurant and tracked cow crap all over her floor. One look at her face, and he got the broom himself and cleaned it up, then went to whisper an apology in her ear.” A giggle accompanied her words. “Wouldn’t you love to know what he says to her?”
Their open discussion left Genny mortified. Her faced blazed. Hello. We’re right here.
Focusing her camera, Mary Ann instructed, “Okay, so scoot in closer. Yes, put your arm around her, just like that.”
Both women snapped their cameras. “I can’t wait to show this to Janet!” Barbi squealed in delight.
Genny glanced up at the firefighter. To her amazement, he no longer looked embarrassed. He seemed to relish the spotlight as he played up his part in the women’s misconception. His arm was tight around her waist, holding her so close to his side that she could feel the restrained laughter bubbling from within his chest. He obviously thought their assumptions were hilarious. Not certain whether she should be amused or insulted, Genny elbowed him in the waist for good measure.
“Cut that out!” he said, flinching where her elbow made contact.
“What? Are you ticklish?” She poked him again, this time with her finger.
Cutter twisted and spun, pulling her with him. He tackled her as he tried to dodge her prodding finger. “I’m serious, Genny, don’t do that.” His sharp command lost its effectiveness as he made a noise that sounded much like a girlish giggle.
“You are! You are ticklish!” she cried with glee.
They wrestled back and forth playfully, drawing the eyes of half the café. Barbi and Mary Ann captured their antics on digitized film. The overhead cameras for Home Again whirred. After a mild scuffle, Cutter got the upper hand. He trapped her against his chest, arms crossed in front of her. She tried stabbing him with her elbow, but he held her hands hostage and squirmed beyond her reach.
“Now I’ve got you just where I want you,” he murmured in her ear. “Stop wiggling and smile pretty for the cameras, darlin’.”
“You’re asking for it, Cutter Montgomery,” she hissed, ignoring the blood zinging through her veins as her body warmed against his.
“This is so awesome!” Barbi gushed. She sounded more like a teenager than the probable mother of one. When Cutter laid his cheek alongside Genny’s and flashed his trademark smile, Genny thought the woman might drop the camera from her fluttering hands.
Hamming it up even more, Cutter planted a noisy, exaggerated kiss on Genny’s cheek. This time, her elbow made contact with his ribcage, causing him to yelp in her ear.
“What did you do that for?” he cried.
She spoke through a smile. “You’re making a spectacle of both of us. What’s gotten into you?”
“Just giving the public what they want, Genny darlin’.”
Genny wiggled out of his hold. “Why don’t you ladies let me take a picture of you with Cutter?” she offered sweetly. She grabbed Mary Ann’s camera without waiting for permission. “Stand on either side of him. Cutter, put your arms around them. Yes, that’s good. Now everyone smile.”
The women cuddled up to the firefighter, clearly in awe. She snapped a few pictures, and then agreed to do a selfie with the four of them. Cutter pulled her front and center
and held the camera above them to capture a handful of images that were surely destined for social media.
A line soon formed, as one-by-one the group members came to have their picture taken. By the time the last frame was taken and the women returned to their seats, Genny’s cheeks ached from smiling and Cutter’s father had arrived.
Shooing Cutter toward the available booth, she followed behind with menus. “Hello, and welcome to New Beginnings,” she greeted his father. She could not remember Tug Montgomery coming in before now.
The man was a legend in Texas football. Nicknamed for his tugboat shape and strength, he first made a name for himself right here at The Sisters High. He went on to play college ball and to win the Heisman trophy before going pro. His record for unassisted tackles still stood, but it turned out that his heart belonged to ranching, and to pretty little Mary Alice Pierce, more than football. After just a few years, he returned to his roots, his ranch, and his rowdy brood of youngsters. Cutter was the baby boy of the family.
Hardly a baby. He’s thirty-one.
The number teased Genny’s mind. She had guessed the handsome firefighter as younger; far too young for her own advanced age of thirty-nine. Yet ever since learning his true age, the number had haunted her thoughts…
“And hello to you!” Tug Montgomery’s voice boomed from his barrel-shaped chest. Laugh lines crinkled the corners of his eyes and formed pale creases in a face perpetually darkened by the sun. Genesis liked him immediately. “Since this seems to be my son’s home away from home, I thought I’d better come check it out for myself.” His eyes twinkled with humor. “And right from the get go, I see the attraction. With a pretty little thing like you, doesn’t really matter if you can cook or not!”