The Last Cowboy In Texas (3 page)

“Not at all. So, Aggie, what do you do?”

“I’m an environmental scientist.”

“Wow, that’s-” his bluster screeched to a halt, his eyes dilating, “interesting.”

Chapter Two

“I think so, too,” Paige volunteered, giving
Troy
a malicious smile. “I hadn’t had a chance to explain what you’ve found, Aggie. Why don’t you tell him?”

She looked up from the menu. “If he’d like.”

“Like?” he croaked. “I’m dying to know.”

“I specialize in aquatic life, mostly rare fish and amphibians. People usually find it rather boring.”

Paige watched him turn on the charm. He said, “I’m always intrigued with advances in environmental science, Aggie. You needn’t worry about boring me.”

The woman’s eyes twinkled
 
as she leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. “Well, what I’ve found right here in
Stone
County
is a miniature frog. Amphibios miniare gaminos is its name. I understand they call them Gamies around here-”

Her voice was drowned out by
Troy
’s sudden coughing spell. When he regained his breath, he said, “Sorry. Something got cau-”

“Frog in your throat,
Troy
?” Paige couldn’t resist.

“You could say that.” He glared at her before looking back at Aggie. “Go ahead.”

She said, “That’s it, basically. The poor little things are used by local fishermen for bait. Can you believe it?”

“Really? Hard to believe,” he muttered.

“Well, I’m going to put a stop to that barbaric practice, I can tell you.”

His stare would’ve put midnight to bed as he locked focus with Paige. “I see. How are you going to do that, Aggie?”

“The Gamines are going on the endangered species list as soon as I can get them there. It’ll take time, legally, but I have to hurry. I understand some stupid land-developer jerk is trying to turn this pristine region into a theme park or some such. I’ve got to stop him.”

“Oh…”
Troy
’s face paled.

Paige intervened. “Is there any way to do that before the Gamines are officially registered as endangered?”

Aggie smiled her way. “I have a couple of tricks up my sleeve. First thing is to get them on the Federal Candidate list. Steve’s good at this stuff. He blocked construction of an additional nuclear power site in
Missouri
several years ago.”

Troy
rediscovered his voice. “Steve?”

“Dr. Steven Carlson, my mentor. He’s Professor of Natural Sciences at
Washington
University
in-”

“
St. Louis
,” Paige broke in. “We know about
Wash
U.
So, Aggie, what exactly is your relationship with the illustrious Dr. Carlson?”

Color rose in the woman’s face. “I’m his, uh, student. He’s my dissertation advisor. We’re very close.”

“I’ll bet you are.” Paige snickered.

“I mean, we work very closely together.”

“I knew what you meant.”

Aggie ordered in the awkward silence that followed, then looked at
Troy
. “So, Mr. Roberts, what do you do?”

Paige had already opened her mouth to answer for him when
Troy
glared at her, saying, “Oh, I’m just part of the local business scene.”

“He’s—oww!” Pain shot up Paige’s leg from her foot that had just been stomped under the table. She stared at
Troy
, who gave her the kind of smile that could kill. Literally.

“I’m president of Flanders Field Club, Aggie, a philanthropic group. We assist local youth in achieving success. As a matter of fact, I was just getting ready to tell Paige we’ve elected to offer her honorary membership in our club.”

“You were?” Paige’s puzzled eyes locked on his.

Aggie said, “That’s wonderful. I must say I’m surprised to learn you have such sophisticated organizations down here.”

“So am I,” Paige whispered, allowing her face to lift in an innocent smile.

The waitress brought their food, giving
Troy
a chance to escape. He hesitated, his expression telling Paige he worried that she would give him away. But she knew it was something he’d have to chance and said nothing. He excused himself and left the café.

Aggie turned to Paige. “What kind of business is he in?”

“A little of everything, actually. He’s a real go-getter. The classic overachiever.”

“I see.
Troy
’s certainly handsome.”

“Yes, and nobody knows that better than he.”

“Stuck on himself?”

“You could say that. Watch yourself with him, Aggie. He’s got quite a reputation with the ladies.”

“Oh! Well, you don’t have to worry about competition from me, Paige. I have my man. I hope I do.”

“Steve?”

“Um hum. He hasn’t committed himself yet, but he’s hinted.”

“He’s single?”

“Trying to get a divorce, actually. Some awful witch has got her hooks into him.”

“Oh. Well, good luck on that. About
Troy
, I hope you didn’t think I was trying to protect my territory. I wasn’t. We’re like oil and water, if you know what I mean.”

“Right. That’s why his eyes were trying to melt you.”

“I don’t know about that.” Embarrassed, she sputtered, “Let me pay for your meal tonight, Aggie. It’s been fun getting acquainted. I’ll be in touch when Steve gets here.”

Paige headed home with more than a little frog on her mind.

* * *

Ozzie and Cil were sitting in the living room when Paige came in. Her mother said, “You missed dinner, honey. Can I get you something to eat?”

“No thanks, Mom. Dad sent me to Reeds Spring on assignment. I ate at the café over there when I was done.”

Ozzie said, “How did it go? Did you talk to the woman?”

“Yes. There just may be a good story in this after all.”

“Really? Environmental forces at work and all that?”

“At the very least. Maybe a lot more.”

“Oh?” His eyes lit up. “Well, tell me about it.”

“Not yet, Dad. I have to do some research. And Aggie has a man coming I’ll want to interview before firming it up.”

“Do you think our readers will be interested in it?”

“I’m sure they will. Especially if what I think is going to happen, does.”

“What is the endangered specie?”

“She’s found the Gamies.”

“Gamies! How the devil could she think they’re endangered for crying out loud?”

“Says she’s got to save them from those awful local fishermen who use them for bait. Says it’s barbaric.”

She smiled, watching her father’s face flame. He was an avid sportsman who loved nothing more than fishing for large bass in the nearby lakes. Using Gamies for bait.

“We may not bother with this. Sounds like she’s a flake.”

“She may be a flake, but she’s an educated one. She’s working on her doctorate at
Wash
U.
And she’s pretty canny.”

Ozzie’s eyes bore into hers. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“I wouldn’t exactly call it enjoying, but I am fascinated with the possibilities.”

“Hmm. I detect the possibility you’re holding something back, something vital to the story.”

“It’s too early to tell, but I’ll let you in on it when I know for sure. It may entail shutting down a lucrative local land developer’s deal if Miss Kingfisher is successful.”

Osmond smiled. “Now, that’s more like it. A story you can get your teeth into.”

She gleamed triumphantly. “I couldn’t have said it better.”

* * *

Paige was climbing into bed when her cell phone rang. “Hello?”

“Well, did you rat on me?”

“No,
Troy
, I didn’t give your secret away. I was waiting for you to get up the courage to tell her the truth. Oh yeah, thanks for letting me into your club.”

“About that, we need to talk. Now about the other-”

“What about the other? You’re either going to tell her you’re the land developer she’s trying to stop or she’ll find out on her own. Which do you think is better?”

“I don’t honestly know. Neither is a good option.”

“You’ve got that right. Now, if you don’t mind, I have to get to sleep. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be wild.”

“Probably. Good night, Paige.”

She laid her head on the pillow, her mind playing over the options. Not so great for Troy Roberts but absolutely exhilarating for her. This could be really good.

Okay
Troy
, you old womanizer, let’s see how you do with this little gal. Time for
Flanders
’ great master of seduction to meet his match.

That thought did nothing to enhance sleep.

* * *

Troy
’s first waking thought was that he could turn to the local member of congress, Naomi Geiger. He’d contributed to her campaign and even helped sponsor rallies in the area. Then he remembered her platform. Ms. Geiger claimed that environmentalism was equivalent to patriotism, which ranked right up there with godliness. Most of the stars clamoring for his properties were among her biggest supporters.

How ironic that the dumb little Gamie could keep those international stars from enjoying a luxurious life in the hills of southwestern
Missouri
. Maybe if he told one or two of them about the potential problem, they’d come to his rescue. Maybe not.

It was a sensitive issue. Environmental protection had taken on an aura much like the so-called equal rights campaign for women.
Equal rights! They already have more rights than a man ever had
.

That brought his focus back to Paige.
What’ll she do to undermine me? Something for sure. Well, I’m not going to wait to find out.

The first step in beating Aggie Kingfisher to the punch would be to get the loan approved at the bank. Then he could finalize the deal and begin preliminary construction. Maybe that would discourage her. Maybe not.

* * *

Paige was up at the crack of dawn, forsaking breakfast to get the weekend edition ready for the presses. She’d been hard at work for over two hours when Ozzie came in.

“Morning, Paige. You must have got up awfully early. Your mother is worried that you’re missing too many meals.”

“She wouldn’t think that if she’d seen the scale this morning, Dad. I’m up three pounds.”

“And still slim as a boy,” he said. She muttered under her breath as he asked, “What has you off and running today?”

“I’ve got a lot to do. My work was interrupted yesterday. Remember?”