Hot Cowboy Nights (3 page)

The door opened and Sharlene Tucker pushed her way inside. If her skinny jeans had been any tighter they would have burst at the seams. Her blond hair was thrown up in a ratty ponytail, and her cowboy boots were scuffed at the toes.

Sharlene eyed Toby like a coyote going after a one-legged chicken. “I’m Sharlene Tucker. Got time for a cup of coffee down at Nadine’s?”

Blake and Deke both had warned him about Sharlene and Mary Jo, but the strongest tip had been about Sharlene. She had been bragging that she would bed and wed Toby Dawson before the year was out since she’d missed out on doing the same thing with his brother, Blake.

“Thank you, but not today, Miz Sharlene, but it was nice meeting you. Good day, Lizzy. I’ll look for that order sometime this afternoon, right?”

“Soon as my part-time guy gets here.” She ran the card, rang up the bill, and pushed the receipt across the counter for him to sign.

Sharlene tilted her head to one side. “How about Sunday dinner? I’ve been out of pocket the last few weekends, but I’ll be in church this week. Nadine makes a mean chicken fried steak on Sundays.”

He shook his head and took a step back. “Got plans but thanks for the offer.”

“With Deke? You can bring him along.”

Deke was a lifelong friend of all the Logan women. He was Allie’s right-hand man when it came to construction jobs, and his ranch was right next door to the Lucky Penny. Plus, he’d become Blake’s friend the first week that he’d moved to the Lucky Penny and he was always, always ready for a good time. His taste in tall, loose-legged blondes ran the same as Toby’s.

“No, not with Deke. Good day, Sharlene.”

“Maybe another time.” She smiled.

He tipped his hat toward both ladies and headed for the door.

“Dammit!” Sharlene slapped the countertop. “I’m not giving up, Lizzy.”

Before Lizzy could answer, her phone buzzed. She pulled it out of her hip pocket, saw Toby’s face on the screen, and answered it in her best business voice. “Yes, sir, did you forget something?”

“Is that woman still there?”

“Of course. Here she is.” Lizzy handed the phone off to Sharlene.

I
’m still mad at you,” Toby said that Sunday afternoon as he, Blake, Allie, Katy, and Lizzy found seats at Nadine’s. “I cannot believe you’d do that to me after all we had.”

“Shhh!” Lizzy shushed him. “Someone will hear you. I figured if you had anything to say to Sharlene, you might as well say it to her yourself.”

“She’s stalking me now. I’ve gotten a dozen text messages and that many calls that I didn’t answer. You gave her my cell phone number, didn’t you?” Toby narrowed his eyes at Lizzy as they sat down in the last two chairs on the back row.

“You told me exactly what you are interested in, and she fits the bill to a tee,” Lizzy said. “You should be thanking me for my help.”

“I could wring your neck for your help,” Toby said. “Tell me again why we’re here.”

“Nadine and a few other folks have decided to get up a homecoming combined with a big Fourth of July bash this year. It’s to help entice folks into coming back for a visit and celebrate the town, I suppose,” she whispered.

“Well, it looks like everyone in Dry Creek has turned out for it. This place is jam-packed. Oh, shit! There’s Sharlene up there and she’s staring right at me.”

“It’s love at first sight.” Lizzy giggled.

“You are not funny,” Toby said.

Nadine’s café had opened back in February and already it was the central hub for everything from gossip to Sunday dinner in Dry Creek. It shared the block with the Dry Creek Convenience Store owned by Katy, which offered staples like milk and bread and had two gas pumps out front. Then two empty storefronts with dirty windows separated it from the Dry Creek Feed and Seed, which Lizzy ran, on the other end of the street.

That Sunday afternoon, the café had closed at two, right after the after-church dinner run, and reopened at three for a town meeting. Nadine provided coffee, sweet tea, and an assortment of homemade cookies on a table right inside the door. She and her two best friends, Sharlene and Mary Jo, sat in three chairs facing the crowd. At exactly three thirty, Nadine turned on the portable microphone and got the meeting started.

“All y’all know me but for the record, I’m Nadine and this meeting is about our first ever homecoming here in Dry Creek. I know we have the football homecoming at the school in the fall every year, but this is something different. We are putting out the word to everyone who has ever lived in Dry Creek to come home on the Saturday before July Fourth.” She stopped and glanced over at the other two women. “Sitting up here with me are my two best friends, Mary Jo and Sharlene, and they’ve promised to help me with refreshments here in the café for the whole day so folks will have a place to sit and visit.” She turned and pointed to Mary Jo and Sharlene, and they both waved to the packed café.

“This whole idea came about when we were talking about how wonderful it would be if we could entice folks back to Dry Creek and maybe in the next few years, we’d have all the empty buildings filled up on Main Street again. Remember a great oak once started as a little old acorn and this idea might produce something awesome. It could take a few years, but then an oak tree grows slowly. Do we have other volunteers for contributions?”

Toby raised his hand. “The Lucky Penny will provide banners to stretch across Main Street on both ends announcing the homecoming. If we don’t put a date on them, they could be used more than one year if this becomes an annual affair.”

If he had to attend because Blake, Allie, and Lizzy said so, then he’d at least show the people of Dry Creek that the cowboys on the Lucky Penny intended to be a part of the community.

Katy’s hand shot up. “My store will foot the bill for an advertisement in the Throckmorton newspaper to run two weeks before the festival. Y’all be thinkin’ about anything you want to add to it. Will there be a western theme where folks dress up or will it simply be a visiting and eating cookies day?”

Lucy Hudson stood up. “The ladies at the church will lay out a nice potluck noon meal for anyone who attends. That way Nadine won’t have to try to cook and be a hostess, too. I’ll head the committee and make it right with the preacher.”

Sharlene reached for the microphone. “This is great. How about if we bill it as the past, present, and future of Dry Creek, Texas?”

“With prizes for the oldest person who attends and maybe the youngest,” Herman said.

“And maybe a gift card to a nice restaurant for the family who attends with the most children,” Lucy added.

“I’ll supply balloons and a tank of helium if anyone wants to give them out to the kids,” Lizzy said.

Mary Jo took the microphone. “I’ll be glad to take care of the balloons right here in the store,” she offered. “So if you’ll bring them and the helium down here the day before, I’ll have the ribbons cut and ready. And I’ll head that committee and be sure the prizes are for gift cards to the three stores right here in Dry Creek so we can keep our money at home. Anyone who wants to donate anything from a dollar to a million.” She hesitated while the chuckles faded. “Just give it to me. I’ll write you a receipt and your name will be listed when we present the prizes.”

“So we got a past and we’re here in the present,” Truman spoke up from a back corner. “Why would any of y’all think we have a future?”

Lizzy sat close enough to Toby that he leaned slightly and whispered right into her ear. “Who is that man?”

“That is Truman. Remember the story I told you? Don’t pay any attention to him,” Lizzy answered.

“Truman, we are hoping that with some hard work we can bring Dry Creek back to a prosperous little Texas town,” Mary Jo said.

“You might as well scratch your fanny and wish for the moon. This whole thing will be a big bust just like these fool cowboys who think they can turn the Lucky Penny around,” Truman said.

“Well, ain’t you just a ray of sunshine and help?” Lucy said. “We’ve already got Mary Jo talking about putting in a beauty shop, and Sharlene is considering starting a day care center.”

Nadine quickly took the microphone. “And that’s all we’ve got right now, so y’all have some cookies and visit about this. We’ll be putting things into the works right soon since we’ve got about three weeks to pull it together. But all three of us believe that we truly can bring Dry Creek back to a nice little town if we work at it…together.” She pointed to the refreshment table. “And we can start by showing all the folks who’ve lived here that we are positive and that we are determined.”

Allie started the applause but Toby noticed that Truman kept his arms folded over his skinny chest and glared at them from across the room.

Folks were still talking about the festival when Katy and Lizzy escaped out the front door. They were about to get in the car when they heard a horn honk, and Allie waved from halfway down the block.

“Hey, y’all come on over to the ranch and see my new kitchen. It’s so pretty and shiny,” she shouted.

“I’ve got to drive up to Wichita Falls and see Mama this afternoon. They need me to sign some more papers, and she’s been whining for a chocolate pie so I’m taking her one,” Katy said. “But Lizzy can go. If she can ride with you, it’ll save me the trip of taking her home.”

“What if I don’t want to go?” Lizzy asked.

“You do, though, so don’t argue about it. Get on down there and go with Allie. It’s a fine day for a nice walk across the pasture when you want to go home,” Katy answered.

“Thirty minutes. That is the limit of how long I’m staying. I’ve promised myself a long Sunday afternoon nap and then I’m reading that brand-new cowboy romance by Katie Lane,” Lizzy said.

“That’s up to you.” Katy fastened her seat belt and backed out onto the street.

“Hey, Lizzy,” Mary Jo hollered from the front of the café. “I need to tell you something quick before you get away.”

Lizzy held up a finger to let Allie know she’d be a minute and waited for Mary Jo to catch up. The bright sun was hot on her cheeks and there wasn’t a hint of a breeze, which in itself was about the norm for June in Dry Creek. Granny always said it was because it was so damn hot in the summer if the wind blew like it did the rest of the year, it would cook the skin right off of a person.

Mary Jo’s high-heeled shoes made a tapping noise on the old wooden sidewalks as she made her way from the café to the front of the feed store. The closer she got, the more convinced Lizzy was that she was bringing bad news because she looked like someone had died.

“I thought you should know.” She laid a hand on Lizzy’s shoulder. “That Mitch and his new wife are going to be in the States over July Fourth. Bobby Ray told him about the festival even before we announced it today and he says since he preached at this church a few times it would be a great time to see everyone.”

Bobby Ray, Nadine’s husband, was friends with both her ex-fiancé, Mitch, and Allie’s ex-husband, Riley. If Nadine didn’t keep a solid thumb on him, he’d probably be as big of a jackass as both his friends, but she did a good job of reeling him in.

“It’s a free country. I expect he can go wherever he wants. What we had is over and in the past.”

“Well, if you need any of us, you call and we’ll be there for you.” Mary Jo hugged her briefly, whipped around, and headed back toward the café.

Lizzy wouldn’t hold her breath waiting for Mary Jo or Sharlene or even Nadine to support her—especially Sharlene. That woman had Toby Dawson on the brain, and the only reason she’d help Lizzy out of any situation would be so she’d tell her about Toby.

Lizzy waited to feel anger, betrayal, or something, but nothing happened. She opened the back door of Blake’s truck and crawled inside with Toby right beside her. Frankly, she really, really didn’t care what all the gossips in town had to say about that, either.

“What was that all about?” Allie asked.

“Mitch and his new bride are planning to be at the festival here in town.” She roped herself in with the seat belt.

“Don’t let it get to you.” One side of Allie’s nose twitched in disgust. “After what he did to you, he shouldn’t show his face in this town again.”

“Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a shit,” Lizzy replied with a giggle at her Rhett Butler impression. “I’m over him.”

Lizzy realized she didn’t give a rat’s ass if Mitch came to town or not, with or without his new wife. She’d burned that bridge and roasted virtual marshmallows in the fire.

“That’s a few weeks from now. Maybe he’ll change his mind.” Allie peeked over the front seat.

“Things can change in a matter of seconds,” Toby said.

Blake put the dual cab truck in reverse, backed out, and headed down the road a mile to the Lucky Penny. “Hey, changing the subject here. Deke called and said he’d be at the house when we get there. He’s bringing five big thick rib eye steaks to grill for supper.”

Toby’s hand covered Lizzy’s but then he jerked it back. “You sure this isn’t a problem?”

“I like steak and I like Deke’s better than anyone’s, so it’s not a problem.” She used both hands to smooth out the wrinkles from the peach-colored flippy skirt she’d worn to church that morning. She’d tucked a sleeveless western-cut shirt with lace insets down the front into the waistband.

“Hey, we should call Fiona and see if she can get away to come to the festival. We haven’t seen her in months,” Lizzy said, quickly changing the subject.

“Wouldn’t that be great?” Allie clapped her hands. “Let’s do it when we get home. We’ll convince her to come home even if it’s just for the weekend.”

“So is Fiona married? I know she’s your sister, but I haven’t heard much about her,” Toby asked.

“She’s not your type, either,” Lizzy said.

“Either?” Toby asked.

“Yes, either?” Allie twisted around in the seat again. “Who else are you talking about?”

“Sharlene.” Lizzy covered her slip of the tongue quickly. “She’s stalking Toby.”

“For real?” Blake asked.

“And it’s all Lizzy’s fault. I called the store to ask her if Sharlene was still there so I’d know if it was safe to go to Nadine’s for a cup of coffee without running into the woman. And Lizzy gave her the phone, so I had to talk to her and then Lizzy gave her my cell phone number,” Toby said.

Allie giggled. “That’s pretty mean, Lizzy.”

“That’s exactly what I said,” Toby chimed in.

“It’s not as mean as Mitch coming back to town and flaunting his new wife,” Lizzy protested.

Blake parked in front of the house. “Let him come to town. After the stunt he pulled, he won’t get a warm reception, believe me.”

Allie unfastened her seat belt so she could turn around in the seat. “He won’t have much of a backing from this family or from Nadine and her cronies. Nadine thinks Mama is a saint straight from the portals of heaven for letting her have that café building so cheap. And Sharlene and Mary Jo are both talking about putting in businesses in town, which means they’ll have to deal with Mama, too. Mitch won’t mess with those three, and I don’t expect he’ll get too warm a reception from Lucy Hudson, either, and everyone knows that if you are on Lucy’s bad side, then it’s bad news.”

Deke met them on the porch and led the way into the house. Taller than the Dawson brothers, he was every bit as handsome with thick brown hair that he wore long enough to be sexy, hazel eyes, and broad shoulders. Women tended to flock to him like a moth to a burning candle. But taming Deke would be harder than training a Dawson cowboy to the halter. He was full of tough cowboy charm, and it would take a special woman to rope him and get him aimed toward the altar.

“Why the long faces? Did somebody die at that town meeting?” He yawned. “I would’ve gone but I had a wicked hangover. I knew redheads were firecrackers, but I had no idea she could drink me under the table.”

Toby chuckled. “Got a hold of a wild one, did you?”

“Oh, man! Blake’s hangover medicine even took a while to take effect. I’m going to make sweet tea. Who all wants a glass?” Deke asked. “I’ve got the steaks marinating in the refrigerator and I brought one of them cheesecakes from the store for dessert.”

“There’s a gallon jug already made up in the fridge,” Allie said.