Promise Them (The Callahan Series Book 6) (23 page)

“No. I get a shipment two days a week from a supply company in San Antonio. I’ll give you the number so you can call them.”

They talked business for a while, and Nellie wondered how in the world Molly could work another month in the condition she was in.

Beau leaned close and whispered, “Dani did great today.”

“You’re proud of her, I take it,” Nellie whispered back.

“You bet I am.”

Nellie’s gaze went to Dani. She had a pen and paper and was taking notes like crazy. Molly was giving Dani the recipe for her cinnamon rolls. Nellie was tempted to get out her pen and paper, but refrained. The recipe belonged to Molly. Maybe to the diner.

“I’m going to get my purse and go home,” Nellie said, scooting out of the booth.

“Me, too,” Beau followed her. “Rey probably thinks I’ve skipped out on him.”

Beau followed her into the kitchen.

As soon as the kitchen door shut behind them, he took her in his arms and kissed her soundly.

Before she sank into that place Beau’s kisses took her, Zach coughed, and Amy snickered.

Nellie pushed him away, fighting the heat rising through her.

“Sorry,” he said loud enough for Zach and Amy to hear. “Couldn’t think of a better way to say thank you for helping my daughter.”

“Sounds good to me,” Amy laughed. “Wouldn’t mind being thanked that way myself.”

Nellie had never been so embarrassed.

Ignoring Beau as best she could, she grabbed her purse and hurried out.

Chapter Twenty-Three

The days took on a new meaning. Nellie was up and out of the house before six every morning and not home until late afternoon. Donovan and Jimmy, with the help of Dugan and one of his deputies, patrolled the ranch every night. It was a busy time at the Callahan Ranch.

Nellie pulled up at Molly’s at six-fifteen, wondering how long the men could keep this up. Today was Saturday. It had been over a week. Surely they would get the news soon that the rustlers were behind bars. Her gaze slid to the sheriff’s office. Dugan’s cruiser was out front, which meant he was already at work.

She shook her head. It was too much. Donovan had never looked as tired as he did now. She’d seen Jimmy on her way to the gate earlier and wondered at the look on his face. He was probably as tired as everyone else.

The town was quiet this time of morning. Give them another thirty minutes and the diner would fill up.

Molly limped in at least once a day to check on them, answer Dani’s questions, and brag about the fantastic job they were doing before she left.

Nellie opened the door and let the scent of fresh-baked cinnamon rolls wrap around her. After Dani took over, the old-timers who spent their mornings solving the world’s problems, had placed bets on whether Dani’s cinnamon rolls would live up to Molly’s. Nellie was pleased to know they had.

“Is that you, Nellie?” Dani called out.

“It is. As usual, the rolls smell wonderful,” she said, putting her purse under the counter. “What time do you start anyway? You’re always here when I arrive.”

“Around five, give or take.”

“Seriously, how are you holding up? It’s not as if you’re accustomed to this.”

Dani wore an apron over a pair of jeans and a scoop-necked tee. With her hair pulled back in a ponytail, she looked like a teen. Certainly not like someone who had taken on the responsibility of running a diner.

Leaning back against the counter, Dani wrinkled her brow. “I don’t know. The days go by in such a whirl I don’t think about handling it. I just do what needs to be done. Every day I wonder if I can make another day. Then I do.”

Nellie put on her own apron and got down the pans they would need. “You’re doing wonderfully well.”

“I just wish…”

“What?”

“I’ve changed the blue-plate-specials some. But if I could, I’d change more.”

Nellie paused. First thing every morning, she made a couple of trays of biscuit. There were so many requests after that first day it became her morning routine.

“Such as?”

Dani shrugged. “I never get a chance to cook the things I love. You know, the gourmet type foods.” She chuckled. “I’m not sure the customers would even like them.” She turned to the stove and went to work.

Nellie couldn’t wait to repeat this conversation to Emma. Not to gossip. Nellie wasn’t into telling tales, but Emma had confided in Nellie how she would like to see Dani take over the diner. Knowing Emma as she did, the woman would stop at nothing to get her way.

But wasn’t Emma rushing things a bit? Dani didn’t have a background of work or a stick-to-it mentality. Though she’d proven herself so far, would she in the long run?

Nellie was kneading dough when she realized she missed Beau. She was happy when he was around. Of course she wasn’t unhappy at other times; just happier being with him. Life seemed brighter, more vivid.

What would her family think if they knew she was thinking of Beau Chandler instead of this bowl of bread dough?

At her age, yet.

The diner closed early on Saturdays. Beau had once more asked her to go with him to San Antonio. He had an appointment to meet with the special agent, Nolan Murdock. Beau wanted to find out if Murdock thought they could ease up on guard duty. Everyone was just about done in. Donovan, even with Dugan’s help, was exhausted as well.

When Dani closed and locked the doors at four, Nellie raced to the restroom to change clothes. By the time she had freshened her make-up, Beau was seated at a booth with a glass of tea, his back to her. For a moment, she feasted her eyes on his tall, imposing figure. He laughed at something Zach said as he passed by with a load of dishes. Dear God, she loved that sound.

“Hi,” she said, coming to stand next to his booth.

He stood. “Hi, yourself. You look wonderful.”

His eyes raked over her. Heat raced to match the path his eyes took.

“You’re irresistible,” he said, pulling her close to plant a quick kiss on her mouth.

“Not here!” She laughed. “Someone might see us.”

Dani cleared her throat. “Is something going on I should know about?”

“Oh, no!”

Beau grinned, went to his daughter and stage-whispered in her ear, “I’m in love with the woman, but she keeps pulling away. Help me out here.”

“You’re on your own, Dad.” Laughing, she went back to the kitchen.

Nellie was stunned. Beau had just told his daughter he was in love with her. What was wrong with him? Would that bit of news spread until it reached the family? How could he? She wanted to yell at Beau to cut it out. Instead she glowered at Beau and followed Dani into the kitchen.

“I’m sorry, Dani. I don’t know what you think, but that was your dad’s way of thanking me for helping you.”

Dani smiled and shook her head. “If that’s what
you
want to think, go for it.” She went back to cleaning the stove.

What
did
Dani think? Flustered and frustrated, Nellie turned around and stormed out of the kitchen and right into Beau’s waiting arms. With a barely muffled protest, she squirmed away. “You have to stop this, Beau. People will talk. Dani has to be curious, if not downright upset.”

“About what?”

“Us!”

“Ah...so you admit there is an ‘us.’”

“Beau Chandler, release me this minute—”

“Or?” He pulled her close and held her tighter.

“Or I won’t go to San Antonio with you.”

Laughing, he leaned in, kissed her firmly on the lips, then took her hand and wouldn’t let go. In less than a minute they were at his truck. She sent him a glare meant to let him know he’d better mind his p’s and q’s. But he only smiled, as he ushered her into the passenger seat before starting his pickup. Minutes later Nellie knew the truth: she couldn’t pout long around Beau. Before she knew it she was laughing at one of his jokes, feeling young and alive and carefree as they rolled down the highway.

As soon as they got to San Antonio they met with the special agent.

“I don’t know what to tell you,” he said after they’d talked a while. “We’ve caught a couple of rustlers, but they were in another county. Local guys. Neither knew a thing about your theft.”

“You believe them?”

“No reason not to. Besides, they didn’t have a large trailer. Just a worn out fifteen footer that wouldn’t hold more than four cattle.”

“Guess you’re right.”

“I know you guys are tired. But you haven’t had a hit since Rey saw them days ago. It’s possible he gave them a scare and they’ve left the area.”

“What do you suggest? That we stop patrol?”

“I can’t tell you what to do. But you could give it a night or two; maybe catch up on some shut-eye. But I’d keep it quiet.”

“What about Donovan?” Nellie had been quiet until now. “He needs relief, too.”

“As do the other ranchers in the area. Most of them are doing everything they can to safeguard their herds,” Beau said.

“I have an idea,” Murdock said. “You could stop the patrols for a few nights. Tell the help that since there hasn’t been a hit in a while you’re going to catch up on some much needed sleep. I’ll tell Donovan to do the same.”

“What good will
that
do?”

“For the next few days, I’ll bring in a few cowboys I trust to stand watch. If anyone shows up, we’ll have them. If either yours or Donovan’s help is involved, we’ll know it.”

“That’s reaching,” Beau said.

“We look at everything and everyone,” the agent reminded him.

“Does that mean you’re looking at Joe Hammond and Jimmy over at Donovan’s?”

Murdock nodded. “They’re the newest cowboys around besides Gordon. We’re still watching him. Though he’s our best suspect, he’s done nothing since you fired him except bitch.”

Beau leaned back and let out a breath. “I guess you know what you’re doing, but neither Joe nor Jimmy had anything to do with this.” His brow wrinkled. “Newest hired help? Are you including Rey in your suspicions?”

“Gordon is spouting to everyone who will listen that Rey is the most likely suspect. Not that the townspeople believe anything he says, but…” Murdock shrugged. “Like I said, we look at everyone.”

Beau bounded from the chair, took a startled Nellie’s hand and headed for the door. “You’re wasting your time.”

“Beau.”

“We’re not going to accomplish anything here, Nell. Let’s go.”

She waited until they were in his truck to speak. “It’s hard, I know, when someone casts suspicion on your child.”

“Rey is the last person the authorities should look at.”

He sat in his truck for a minute, his hands clenched on the steering wheel.

“I understand, but Nolan Murdock is just doing his job,” Nellie reminded him. “He’s checking Joe and Jimmy, too.”

“They aren’t my son,” he said grimly, then, picking up his cell phone, he called Rey and told him what Murdock suggested.

“Rey thinks it’s an idea worth trying,” he told her a minute later. “He’ll keep it quiet.” Turning to her, he asked, “Hungry?”

“A little. We stay so busy at the diner, none of us eat as we should.”

They strolled down the River Walk hand in hand. Nellie found the intimacy didn’t bother her here.

Once described as the American Venice, the entire area was both romantic and relaxing. Nellie found herself not thinking of anything other than the man next to her and the way he made her feel—all soft and wanting.

The evening was cool, the atmosphere festive. Music drifted over the dozens of couples and families enjoying the setting. A couple of teens holding hands passed them.

Beau and Nellie exchanged a look.

Did he know what she was thinking? She hoped not.

A group of children ran past, heading for one of the boats, their parents doing their best to slow them down. Enthusiasm won, and they beat their parents by a half-block.

“I remember those days.”

“I wish I could say the same. Sad to say, I was too busy to take time with the kids. How does that look?” He pointed to a Mexican restaurant down the block.

“Looks okay to me.”

A mariachi band was playing in the back of the restaurant. Beau looked at Nellie with a smile before he pulled out a chair for her to sit.

She looked around. “They like bright colors, don’t they?”

The walls were covered with colorful murals, the background definitely Mexico.

A moment later, a waiter gave them each a menu. “Beau, what are we doing? And at our age?”

“What?” he asked. “Eating?”

“No.” She laughed, and wondered how he could always do that to her—make her laugh when she wanted to be serious. Make her smile when she wanted to frown. “This. What are we doing?”

He put down the menu and leaned across the table. “Nothing has changed. I’ve fallen for you, Nell.” He picked up the menu again. “The enchiladas sound good.”

“Beau,” she said, exasperated now. “Talk to me.”

But the waiter was back, and it was a few minutes before she could tackle the subject again. “I’m serious, Beau.”

“So am I,” he said.

She could see he meant it from the gleam in his eyes. Had he really fallen for her? Did he love her like he said? “You’re serious?”

Beau took her hand. “I’ve never felt like this about anyone, Nell. I know I’m not a young man anymore, but when I look at you I feel twenty-one. I love you. Sit back and enjoy your meal. I know you need time so I promise not to rush you.”

“But…” she sputtered.

“Let’s eat,” he told her as the waiter placed their orders in front of them, “and enjoy the music.”

How could she? Her stomach was in a tight knot. Beau Chandler loved her. Or so he said. Did she believe him? A quick glance into his deep, blue eyes and she did.

Now all she had to do was figure out what she wanted to do about it. Then figure out how she really felt about him.

On the ride back, he didn’t mention the L word again. Nellie found herself once more relaxing, enjoying his company. When they were back at Molly’s, she reached over to open the truck door. He stopped her with a slight touch on her hand. “Thanks for going with me. I enjoyed your company.”

“You have a knack for making a lady feel good, Beau.”

“My mission is to make you feel
really
good,” he teased.