Texas Strong (21 page)

Then she went to see what Ruby might need, bringing along her sister to perform introductions.

Trying not to scan the crowd too obviously in search of the man who was far too often on her mind.

“Those turnovers are gorgeous,” said the tattooed pastry chef Spike.

“Thank you. They’re nothing like those cupcakes you brought,” Laura responded. Each one was decorated with either a bluebonnet or an Indian paintbrush blossom. “I’d kill for a deft hand like that.”

“It’s all in the wrist,” Spike said.

Laura chuckled. “You say that like anyone can do it.”

“Well, I am impressed with that potato casserole and the tiny quiches. Florentine?”

Laura nodded. “Does anyone around here eat quiche?”

“If they’ll eat rattlesnake, they’ll eat quiche,” Jeanette said as she strolled up. “Do you cater?”

“A little. Never as a business, mostly just for clubs I belong to or friends having a party.”

She saw the looks traded between Jeanette and Spike.

“What?”

“How are you on a grill?”

“I let my husband do the barbecuing.”

“No, a grill like the diner has.”

“Oh. I’ve never tried one.”

Another set of looks traded.

“What?”

Jeanette turned to her. “We have a situation, but I’m sure you won’t be around long enough.”

“For what? I don’t have any plans at the moment.”

“It’s a crazy idea anyway, if you’re thinking what I think you’re thinking,” said Spike.

“What’s crazy?”

“Has Chrissy explained the situation here? About Scarlett and what happened to her?”

“Yes. It must have been terrifying.”

“More than. But here’s the thing: Ruby is seventy-two, and she thinks she’s immortal, but even if she were, she has been cutting back since Scarlett came. She was long overdue. She ran this place by herself for so many years, but it’s hard work, and the diner is busier than ever. She can’t take all of it back on her shoulders, and though Scarlett is very invested here, her doctors won’t let her come back to work yet.”

“Laura would be crazy to say yes.”

“Probably.” Jeanette nodded. “But I’m going to ask.”

“Ask what?”

“Any chance you’d come up to the cafe during a quiet time and let Henry show you the grill, give you a few pointers?”

“Why?”

Spike spoke up. “Henry works hard, and he does okay, but there’s no backup. That’s not a smart business plan. What if Henry gets hurt? Accidents happen in the kitchen all the time.”

“You said you’d be the backup,” Jeanette pointed out to Spike.

“Yeah, but I only like desserts, and also I’m plenty busy over at Geek Central.”

Laura frowned. “Geek Central?”

“Jackson’s video game headquarters across the Square. We supply a cantina for his employees, who keep completely weird hours. And anyhow, the diner patrons have gotten used to Scarlett’s flair. Girlfriend here has flair,” she said, pointing to Laura. “Henry doesn’t.”

Laura started to protest that she wasn’t in the market for a job, that she wouldn’t be around long. But hadn’t she just been telling Chrissy she had no idea what to do with herself? “So you want me to understudy Henry?”

“I have a feeling you’ll soon be the star, not the understudy.”

“Henry has busted his butt to get this chance. He’s rock-solid reliable. We can’t take this away from him,” Jeanette objected.

Spike nodded. “She’s right. You don’t have to take over. Just be available. Henry works hard, but he might like a little time off, too, and we don’t know when Scarlett will be back.”

“Wouldn’t Ruby and Scarlett have to approve this?”

“They don’t need to know just yet. You might hate it, or you might not be any good at cooking under pressure,” Jeanette pointed out. “I just think we need to be prepared. Scarlett thinks she’s coming back right away, but Ian isn’t onboard, nor is Bridger.”

Laura thought of how she’d seen Scarlett gaze at her child, and she wondered. “It’s not easy leaving your new baby, even under less dramatic circumstances.”

Spike’s look crowed triumph. “Exactly. And Ruby will say she’s just fine, but we’ve all seen that she needs to be working less.”

“This place is Ruby’s baby,” Jeanette objected.

“I’m not saying Laura walks in and takes over.”

“I couldn’t anyway.”

Spike’s gaze was ruthless. “But you could learn and be ready…just in case.”

“I hadn’t planned to stay long.” But she already liked the notion. She always did better when she had too much to do. She looked at each of them. “I might want my own restaurant one day. Heaven knows people are always urging me to do so, but I always thought—”
I’d be playing with Jake
. Which might never happen. “I like learning new things. But I’m not doing anything if Henry or Ruby or Scarlett don’t want it.”

“They don’t know what they want,” Spike said. “Their lives have been high drama for two weeks now.”

“You just don’t want to man the grill,” Jeanette said.

“I have, and I will, but you know even better than I do that we’re spread too thin around here.” At Jeanette’s nod of agreement, Spike went on. “We’ll talk to Henry and ask if he’d be willing to teach Laura as a favor, that’s all. Then we’ll see how things go. Maybe you won’t ever be needed, but if you were…Ruby deserves the peace of mind, and it might help Scarlett take things slower. You heard Ian. He’s worried sick that she’ll jump back in too quickly.”

“Yeah. And she would,” Jeanette agreed.

Spike smiled. “So…how soon do you want to start? Tomorrow good for you?”

Laura chuckled. “Why not? As long as I’m home when school gets out. I promised Chrissy.”

“We’ll make it happen.” Spike smiled. “Thanks.” She glanced at Jeanette. “Problem solved.”

Jeanette grimaced. “Maybe.”

“Look, if you think it’s a bad idea,” Laura began.

Jeanette shook her head quickly. “No. It’s a great idea, just—”

Spike grinned. “She’s the one Ruby will skin.”

“But you agreed,” Jeanette retorted. “And I will squeal like a little pig.”

“Such auspicious circumstances for a new venture,” Laura said. “I’m so reassured.”

Spike chuckled. “What have you got to lose?”

Laura winced inwardly. Spike had no idea how true that was.

But she was excited, nonetheless.

Halfway through the afternoon, Chrissy was more and more certain that Tank was avoiding them. Thad had been a little whiny with his disappointment, but fortunately, there were enough kids around that he was easily drawn into play. Becky was in her element with the Gallagher twin girls and her best friend Samantha, and the quilters had taken her under their wing, as well.

Laura stayed busy with the food, and Chrissy tried to bury her upset in scrubbing and cleaning up after the construction workers, then assisting with stocking the supplies on the shelves. But by the time the meal was over and she’d seen Tank several times, always as far away as he could manage, she’d had enough.

They got the kids home when everything was done, and Laura was a tremendous help with bathing the kids and settling them down enough to go to bed.

As the quiet settled over the house, however, the furor inside Chrissy continued to build. He could disappoint her, fine and dandy. He’d been clear that he wasn’t comfortable with her pushing, and that was his right.

If he just didn’t want her around, that was one thing. But he was not going to get away with letting down her kids.

“Would you be okay staying with them for a little bit?” she asked Laura.

“Sure. Going somewhere?”

“Yeah. To find that man who disappointed my kids today and give him a piece of my mind.”

“You said he’s leery. Maybe he’s right that he’s not good for you.”

“He may be, but that doesn’t change the fact that he created an expectation in my children. They’ve been let down often enough by their dad.” She fumed. “I wouldn’t kiss him again to save my life, but he’s got to answer for dodging the kids all day.”

“Do you know where he lives?”

“Kind of. I’ll find it.”

“Driving while angry isn’t smart.”

“Oh, I’m not angry…I’m furious. But I can still drive.”

“I don’t suppose I can talk you out of this?”

“Nope.”

“Then just be careful. And call me when you get there, or text me, okay? Give me Jeanette’s phone number, so I can call out the mounties if I need to.”

Chrissy was honestly shocked. “Tank wouldn’t hurt me.”

“Even if you yell at him?”

She thought a minute. “No. He looks at me like I’m the last sliver of sunlight in the world.”

“Ah.”

“What does that mean?”

“He’s running scared. You can be a little intense, Cee Cee.”

“Me?”

Laura snorted. “Yeah, you. Dynamite in a small package, didn’t Dad call you that more than once?”

She sighed. “He did.” She glanced back from the doorway. “Do you think I’m foolish to keep trying?”

“From what you’ve told me, he’s never going to make the first move.”

“I’m only talking about him and the kids.”

“Mm-hmm,” her sister responded. “Whatever you want to believe.” Then her smile softened. “You have a big heart, and it’s hurting for him. Underneath your mad, you’re worried about him.”

Her shoulders sagged. “He’s a lot of work.”

“The best ones are.”

Chrissy tilted one brow. “That mean you’re not giving up on Jake either?”

“Jake.” Laura’s tone was mingled affection and dismay. “I’m going to learn how to run a grill, and I’m going to let Dr. Cameron stew in his own juices for a while. Maybe he’ll miss me and wake up, and maybe he won’t.” The sorrow on her sister’s face was heartbreaking. “But either way, I’ll know how to run a grill. Maybe I’ll get my own restaurant and stay too busy for him. Sauce for the gander.”

“I can stay here with you if you’re upset. I don’t have to go pester Tank.”

“No, get out of here. One woman sighing over a man with his head up his butt is one thing, but two, well, that’s just pathetic. But text me when you get there and when you leave, so I’ll know you’re all right.”

“Okay. Love you, Big.”

“Right back at you.”

The bright moonlight helped her find her way, but Chrissy still got lost once before figuring out the right road to the Patton place. She’d called Tank’s sister for directions, knowing Veronica would wish her well, not try to talk her out of it as anyone else in town would.

The gate was open, and she saw a small light ahead. As she neared, she spotted one house that seemed deserted. A small house off to the right near the barns was also dark. The only light was in the bigger of two barns, so she drove carefully up to it and parked, shutting off her lights and emerging. “Tank?”

She heard a rhythmic thudding from inside. Forehead wrinkled, she moved closer. “Tank?”

It almost sounded like…a punching bag? Or was something wrong and he—

She drew up to the door and peered inside.

And lost her breath.

Tank’s back was to her, broad and bare and muscled, gleaming with sweat. His blond hair was dark with sweat, too, as he punched a hanging bag with relentless rhythm, as though battering away demons. He was big and so strong, nearly twice her size. In this light he looked like a brute to fear. As she stepped closer, she caught a glimpse of the rough lines on his back.