Well, Becca Johnston has a room to rent. Since youll be staying for a couple of weeks, that might be more comfortable than a hotel, but shes
You boys decided what you want to eat? A blonde waitress with a polka-dot manicure and thick drawl set their drinks in front of them. Sorry I took so long. Lunch rush.
Both men ordered their entrées, but as the waitress turned to go, Brody stopped her with a question. Hey, Leanne, how would you describe Becca Johnston?
Terrifyingly efficient, she said over her shoulder.
That pretty much nails it, Brody agreed. As the waitress walked away, he told Sawyer, If you rented a room from Becca, your lodgings would be spotless, the meals would be tasty and she could answer any question you ever had about Cupids Bow. But you dont want to cross her. Last man who did that is still missing.
Sawyer froze with his glass halfway to his mouth, sweet tea sloshing, but then decided his friend was messing with him. You made up that last part.
Exaggerated, maybe. But its true no one knows where her ex-husband isincluding Becca. Long story short, shes still pretty ticked. And she would hate you.
Whats wrong with me? Sawyer demanded. Ive been told I have a winning personality.
Becca likes structure and setting rules. While you...are a pain in the ass.
But a charming one.
Brody snorted. Not as charming as you think. Is that our food? He perked up at the sight of Leanne carrying a tray in their direction.
Do you have her phone number or address?
Leannes? Brody asked, sounding perplexed.
Beccas.
Im telling you, its a bad idea. Although, I suppose thats why youre pursuing it.
Whats that supposed to mean?
Brody gave him a knowing glance. Never met anyone who hates being told what to do more than you.
Its not like Im being stubborn for the sheer hell of it, Sawyer defended himself. A private room is bound to offer more peace and quiet than a hotel filled with tourists in town for the centennial celebration.
Ill give you directions to Beccas place, but its your funeral if you track in mud or pick an argument with her.
Pretty sure I can handle myself.
Maybe. If not...can I have your truck?
Chapter Two
Marc Johnston watched the soccer ball, a whirl of white and black as it came at him, and wished it would roll far away. Off the field. Into the street. His mama would never let him chase it into the street. No ball, no soccer practice. He could go home to play in his room! It was too hot outside.
But that was a dumb wish. If the ball rolled into the street, his mama would chase it down and bring it back to him. Shed told him a zillion times, Im always here for you. Not like his daddy, whod gone away. Mama was never far.
Right now, she was coaching from the side of the field. Kick the ball, Marc! You can do it!
He swung his leg. It wasnt really a kick, not a good one. He brushed the side of the ball, which kept moving, and lost his balance as it rolled under his foot. He wobbled, then fell on his back, the sting just enough to make him suck in a breath. Ow.
Mama jogged toward him, her face crinkly with worry. She helped him up, brushing grass and dirt off his uniform. You okay, champ?
I guess.
She patted him on the shoulder. Maybe you should take a break and drink some water.
Hed rather have soda from the machine by the bleachers, but knew better than to ask. Mama handed him a water bottle, then turned to give instructions to Jodie Prescott, who was taller than Marc even though his birthday was before hers. He didnt like Jodieshe called him Shortybut he was glad she was keeping Mama busy so he could go sit in the shade. There was another boy there, not in Marcs grade, playing on a Nintendo 3DS.
Are you here for soccer practice? Marc asked.
The kid grunted. Does it look like Im playing soccer? My dads coaching my sisters team over there. He flung an arm toward another field without looking up from the screen. Im waiting.
Youre lucky you have a DS. And lucky you have a dad. And, also, lucky he didnt have to play soccer. Can I have a turn?
No. But you can watch me. He scooted a little closer so that Marc could see the screen.
It was the best soccer practice ever. Marc almost forgot how hot it was. He even almost forgot about his mama, who had to call his name twice when it was time to go home. On their way to the van, the way she watched him made him feel bad for not trying harder at soccer.
She brushed the back of his shirt again. Wed better get this straight in the washer if Im going to get the stain out.
Sorry. His mother didnt like stains. Or running in the house. Or when he forgot to swallow his food before telling her interesting stories, like how Kenny Whittmeyers pet snake got out of its cage. Marc had learned at dinner last night she also didnt like stories about Kenny Whittmeyers pet snake.
You dont have to apologize. You didnt do anything wrongeveryone falls down.
Even you? It was hard to imagine Mama falling. She never messed up.
On occasion. She hit the key button that made the doors unlock. He got in the back seat, wishing he was big enough to sit in the front. It felt lonely back here.
Although she started the engine, she didnt drive anywhere. She looked at him in the mirror. Marc, are you enjoying soccer?
If he told her the truth, would he still have to play? Probably. She was the coach. They couldnt just quit the team. Soccers okay.
You know you can talk to me, right?
Yes, Mama.
She sighed. She made that sound a lot. Marc didnt remember her doing it so much when his dad lived with them, but those memories were blurry, like when he tried to see underwater at the community pool.
Mama? A girl in my class has parents with a divorce.
Parents who are divorced.
She says she lives with her dad in the summer. Is it summer soon?
Next month, after the election.
Will I live with Daddy then?
No, Im afraid not, champ. Her eyes were shiny in the mirror, like she might cry, and Marc wished he hadnt asked. But Ill do my best to make sure you and I have a great summer. Okay?
Okay. He looked out his window. Is Mr. Zeke coming back? For months, the bald, smiling man had been around their house, making what Mama called ren-o-vations. Mr. Zeke had shown Marc cool drills and saws.
Not anytime soon. The attics finished now, so hes moved on to his next job. But now that the attic apartment is ready to rent, maybe well have guests.
That would be nice. It would be even better if whoever came to stay with them was as cool as Mr. Zeke.
* * *
BECCA HAD MIXED feelings about her sons silence on the drive home. On the one hand, shed had a very long day and appreciated the few minutes of peace. But she was worried; quiet reflection was not the seven-year-olds natural state. Was he still in pain from his fall? More likely hes still in pain from his fathers defection. The questions about when he would see his dad, followed by whether or not the general contractor would be back, made it pretty clear that he missed having a man to look up to in his life.
Her throat burned. Nothing mattered more to her than her son, but she couldnt be everything to him. The towns upcoming centennial celebration was taking up her time for the next couple weeks. But maybe after that, she could invite Zeke, a widower in his late fifties, over for dinnera home-cooked thank-you for a job well done.
By the time they rolled into the driveway, the stillness in the minivan was becoming oppressive. This called for emergency measures. How about I order pizza for dinner while you take your shower?
The excited whoop from the back seat made her smile. Shed barely pulled the keys from the ignition before her son flew out of the vehicle and up the three wide porch steps. There, he sat dutifully to remove his cleats. She took a minute to stare at the house, gleaming white in the Texas sunshine, and remembered the day she and Colin had moved in. It was a beautiful two-story home, complete with a porch swing, surrounding rosebushes and gorgeous maple trees in the yard. It had all symbolized how far shed come from an overcrowded double-wide trailer on a gravel lot. To her, this house had been the castle at the end of the fairy tale.
It still can be. She clenched her fists at her sides, summoning determination. Okay, yes, Colin had turned out to be more fraudulent frog than prince. But she didnt need him for a happy ending. She would become mayor and raise a wonderful son.
Mama, I cant get this knot out.
Joining Marc at the top of the steps, she knelt down over his shoe. Her promise of pizza must have really improved his mood, because by the time shed unlaced both cleats, he was happily chatting away. She didnt even register the sound of the vehicle at the bottom of the driveway until the door closed.
Excuse me, a deep masculine voice called, are you by any chance Becca J
As she turned, the man stopped dead, recognition striking them both. The cowboy from the bar? What was he doing here? Stalking her?
You, he breathed. His mouth curled in a slow, satisfied smile. Youre the woman who was checking m
Marc, you run along and take your shower, she instructed. She was about to throw this man off her property. It was probably better that her son didnt witness it...or overhear any of the mans lewd commentary on what she may have been checking. Unbelievable. Shed ogled a stranger once since her divorce, and hed followed her home. What were the odds?
Uh, Mama? The doors locked.
Right. She knew that. She fiddled with the key, but the dead bolt got only part of her attention. The sense that she could feel the mans gaze on her was distracting. There you go, champ. She swung the main door wide open, expecting her son to reach for the handle on the inner screen door.
Instead, he hesitated, waving at the approaching cowboy. Hi, Im Marc.
The cowboy smiled, his long-legged stride graceful and annoyingly mesmerizing to watch. Im Sawyer.
Marcs eyes widened as he caught sight of the mans gold belt buckle, etched with a cowboy on the back of a bucking horse; Becca read the word champion before realizing that she was staring in the direction of the mans groin, and averted her eyes. Did you win a rodeo? her son asked.
Quite a few.
That is so cool! Maybe Ill ride in a rodeo someday, Marc said, surprising Becca. Hed never expressed any interest in that. I take riding lessons from Ms. Meredith. Shes nice, but I like Ms. Kate better. Shes my piano teacher. She gives me cookies.
Hearing him list his teachers out loud, Becca mentally kicked herself. Shed inadvertently surrounded him with women. Why hadnt she checked to see if Jarrett Ross was taking on any more riding students over at his ranch? In Beccas defense, Marcs soccer coach was supposed to have been a man. But when hed broken his leg the first week of the season, shed stepped up to fill the void.
Sawyer winked down at her son. Keep at that piano practice. The ladies love musicians.
Yeah, thats what her seven-year-old neededadvice on picking up women. From the cocky way Sawyer carried himself, she just bet he had plenty of experience in that area. Ladies also love hygiene, she said wryly. Now about your shower...
Marc opened the screen door. Back in a minute!
Take your time and do the job right, Becca cautioned. Theres no rush.
But Im hungry. If I hurry, I get pizza faster. Mr. Sawyer, do you like pizza?
As a matter of fact, I love it.
Then you should
Marc! Scoot.
have dinner with us, her son invited.
Becca bit back a groan; Sawyers eyes glittered with humor as he met her gaze. He was amused by her discomfort, which did nothing to raise her opinion of him.
Well, he said as Marc disappeared inside, at least one of you likes me.
Now that he was on the step just below her, she could see his eyes were green, flecked with gold, and she hated herself for noticing. If youll excuse me for a moment, she said tightly, I need to call in an order for pizza. That would give her an opportunity to regain her composure.
He smirked. Didnt the man have any other expressions? Want to know what toppings I like?
She shot him a look that should have vaporized him on the spot, leaving nothing but his memory and scorch marks on the sidewalk.
Ill just wait here then, he said, moving past her to make himself comfortable on the porch swing. He even took his hat off and ran a hand through his brown hair. In the sunlight, a few threads shone a deep coppery red, much darker than her own strawberry blond.
His hair was thick, wavy, and she wondered errantly if it was soft to the touch. Rebecca Ruth Baker Johnston, pull yourself together. Just because she hadnt had sex in the two years since Colin skipped town was no reason to become unhinged in hormonal desperation. She marched into the house, locking the door behind her. No matter how good-looking he was, Sawyer was a stranger; she was a single woman with a child to protect. She called the pizza place, but she was so preoccupied that there was no telling what she ordered. For all she knew, instead of a large pepperoni pie with extra olives, dinner tonight might be a piece of garlic bread and six liters of soda.
Well, thats what she got for stalling. Her philosophy had always been to tackle problems efficiently, then put them behind her. Time to figure out why this cowboy was here and send him on his way. She returned to the porch, her tone brisk as she asked, So is Sawyer your first name or last?
First. Sawyer McCall. He extended a hand. Pleasure to meet you. Officially.
Her fingers brushed over his in something too brief to qualify as a handshake before she pulled away. Becca Johnston. What are you doing here? Besides bonding with my son and trying to mooch free pizza.
Brody Davenport sent me. I dont know if you happened to notice while you were undressing me with your eyes
She exhaled in an outraged squeak.
but hes who I was having lunch with. Brody and I are old friends. He contacted me a few months ago about coming to town to help with the centennial trail ride and to finally meet Jasmine. I need a place to stay.
That place sure as hell wouldnt be under her roof. There are two motels in the Cupids Bow area, she said. I can draw you maps to both of them.
He bobbed his head. Yeah, Brody said you were pretty much an expert on this townwhich would be useful to me, since Im writing a travel piece. Brody also said that if I stayed here, the room would be spotlessly clean and the food would be excellent.