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.
She bit the inside of her lip. When shed had the bright idea to rent out her attic, shed been thinking more in terms of single women who might feel vulnerable staying alone at a hotel, or who would appreciate bubble baths in the spacious claw-foot tub. Maybe she could even rent the room as a long-term apartment to a woman like herself, divorced and needing to regroup. She certainly hadnt considered giving the key to a smug, sexy stranger. I think I would prefer female tenants, she said. At least until I get a guard dog.
He raised an eyebrow. You dont strike me as a dog person.
She wasnt; training and grooming seemed like a lot of work when she was already stretched thin with limited hours in the day. But she resented being pigeonholed. You dont know anything about me, Mr. McCall.
No, but from what Brody said... He cleared his throat, looking sheepish.
Ah. So thered been more to the ranchers characterization of her than the promise of a clean house and good food. All Sierras teasing about being a control freak echoed in Beccas head.
Do you currently have any female tenants scheduled? Sawyer asked.
Well, not yet.
I can pay up front. Cash. And I can give you a list of references, including Brody and his aunt Marie, to assure you Im not some whack-job.
Shed known Marie Davenport, a now-retired 911 operator, for years. And there was no denying Becca could use the money; her salary running the community center and her stipend as a town-council member were barely a full-time income. Thats why shed decided to invest in renovating her attic to an apartment in the first place, so she could rent it to a paying customer. Yes, but...him?
Becca had spent her life mastering the art of structure. During the happier moments of her marriage, shed relaxed, grown complacent, and shed paid for it with scandal and divorce. Now, she was more determined than ever to keep her life smooth and orderly. Sawyer McCall might be smooth, with his glib manner and roguish smile, but instinct screamed that life would be anything but orderly with this cowboy living upstairs.
Mr. McCall, I really dont think
The screen door banged open and a mini tornado gusted across the porch in the form of her son, his green dinosaur pajamas plastered to the wet chest and limbs he hadnt bothered to dry. Youre still here! Are you staying for pizza? Mama, can I show him my space cowboys and robot horses?
Becca studied her sons eager face and tried to recall the last time shed seen him look so purely happy. Mr. McCall and I arent finished talking yet, champ. Why dont you go set the table for three? She wasnt convinced she would rent the room to Sawyer, but a slice of pizza was a small price to pay for her sons beaming smile.
Marc disappeared back inside as quickly as hed come.
She took a deep breath. The attic apartment has its own back stair entrance and a private bathroom. No kitchen, although theres a small refrigerator up there for beverages and snacks. Whoever I rent the room to is welcome to join Marc and me for mealsbut in exchange, I was hoping to find someone with a bit of child-care experience. Occasional babysitting in trade for my cooking. Shed only just now had that brainstorm, realizing how much it would mean to Marc to be around a man, but it sounded plausible. And if Sawyer said no, it would help justify turning him away.
He shrugged. Sounds reasonable. Im no child-care expert, but Ive worked with kids at equestrian camps and on family trail rides.
She sighed, regretting what she was about to say before it even left her mouth. Then, assuming your references check out, youve got a deal, Mr. McCall.
His grin, boldly triumphant and male, sent tiny shivers up her arms. When do I get to see my room?
Chapter Three
Sawyer braved his landladys glare, her blue eyes like the center of a flame. Fiery was a good description for herhot, but projecting the aura that a man should stay back for his own safety. At the restaurant earlier, hed seen her sitting down. She was a lot taller than hed expected, trim and shapely in her polo shirt and shorts. When he first drove up, her kid had been wearing a numbered practice jersey; Becca wore a whistle on the cord around her neck. Team coach, maybe? She seemed like the kind of person who wanted to be in charge.
And not at all like a woman who changed her mind easily. Despite his claims at lunch that he was charming and likable, Sawyer was almost surprised shed agreed to rent him the room. Her expression when shed first seen him in the driveway had suggested she was more likely to back over him than take him in as a guest.
Come on, she said irritably. We might have enough time before the pizza comes for you to see the room. She opened the door, but stood there, barring his entrance as she studied his boots. You can leave those on the porch.
Her tone rankled. He wasnt her damn kid. Yes, maam. I promise to wash my hands before eating, too.
She gave him another narrow-eyed glare. Probably deserved that one. Instead of halfheartedly apologizing for his sarcasm, he gave her a winning smile. She pressed a finger to her forehead as if physically pained.
Maybe he should stay at a hotel, after all. Brody was right about himSawyer had a habit of provoking bossy people. Wouldnt sharing a house with a woman who already disliked him needlessly complicate life?
Nah. In only a matter of minutes, hed convinced her to change her mind about renting to him. In a matter of weeks, he could win her over entirely. Sawyer liked a challenge. Besides, in the unlikely event that he failed, it was just a few weeks out of his life. After that, hed be putting Cupids Bow behind him.
He placed the boots neatly by the front door. After you.
Brody hadnt exaggerated when he predicted the place would be spotless. The hardwood floors gleamed; the creamy walls looked freshly painted. There were no toys scattered about or fingerprint smudges. If he hadnt seen Marc with his own eyes, Sawyer never would have believed a little boy lived here.
The narrow hallway opened up into a living room and Sawyer winced. Is my room this...pink? The low-backed sofa and two armchairs were all the same shade, coordinating with a striped circular rug that took up most of the floor.
Mauve, she corrected, studying the furniture with him. With cranberry accents.
Cranberry? An Aggies football fan, he would have called the dark throw pillows and decorative candles maroon. At least then it would be showing team support for Texas A&M.
Her tone was defensive. I think it looks nice, but to answer your question, no, this isnt the color scheme I used in the attic. She suddenly brightened. Still, I completely understand if the accommodations here arent to your liking. I can still give you directions to either of those hotels.
He should probably be insulted that she was so eager to get rid of him. Im sure the room will be just fine. Even if the beds lumpy, with mismatched sheets, itll be better than all the times Ive slept on the ground during a trail ride or stayed in a crappy motel room. Hed been to rodeos in luxury Vegas settings and tourist-destination stockyards, but those werent the norm.
Mr. McCall, I do not make up beds with mismatched sheets.
He couldnt help grinning at her affronted tone; the woman took her linens seriously. Ive always cared more about what happens between the sheets than about whether they match.
She sucked in a breath, but the doorbell rang, saving him from a potentially blistering retort. Redirecting her anger, she glared toward the front of the house. That better not be the pizza already!
Was she that set on having events unfold according to her timeline? Most people are happy when they dont have to wait long for delivery.
There are three regular drivers, she said, as she dug through her purse. But Keesha only works weekends. Which leaves D. B. Janak, who I happen to know has the flu, because I ran into his girlfriend at the store, and Callum Breelan, who is proving to be just as bad as his disreputable uncles. Money in hand, she strode toward the door, rattling off the rest of her explanation over her shoulder. Only seventeen and he already has one speeding ticket and two warningsDeputy Thomas went easy on him. I dont need lead-foot Callum using my dinner as an excuse to mow down pedestrians and small animals.
Sawyer blinked at the unexpected blast of information. Shed been talking too fast about people hed never met for him to process all of it. The upshot seemed to be Becca knew a lot about her neighbors. And had strong opinions.
While she stood at the door haranguing the delivery boy about his driving habits, Sawyer found his way down the hall to a huge kitchen, the kind that was big enough to include a full-size dining room table and china cabinet. Marc stood on his tiptoes at a marble-topped island, trying to pour lemonade into a red plastic superhero cup. Sawyer lunged forward, taking the pitcher from the boys hands just as it started to wobble.
Here, better let me get that for you. Im guessin your mama doesnt like spills.
The boy shook his head, eyes wide. They were the same color as Beccas. She hates messes. And snakes, even though theyre cool.
Not all of them, Sawyer said. Hed had a few close encounters with rattlesnakes and copperheads hed rather not think about. He eyed the pitcher on the counter, noting the slices of fresh lemon bobbing inside it; obviously, Becca did not serve lemonade that came from powder. Where can I find a glass?
Marc directed him to a cabinet next to the stainless steel refrigeratornot that it was easy to see the silver steel beneath the clutter. The kitchen was pristineno dirty dishes in the sink, no mail sitting on the counterbut the fridge was practically wallpapered in Marcs schoolwork, crayon drawings and photos. As he looked closer, Sawyer realized there were also a number of newspaper clippings that all seemed to be about Cupids Bow events. One mentioned a Watermelon Festival, while another
Can I help you find something in particular? Becca asked from behind him, her voice icy.
Busted. He straightened, making light of his snooping. Guess I was just curious about the family Ill be staying with, trying to reassure myself that you and Marc here arent hed been about to say ax murderers, but murder jokes werent appropriate in front of the little boy aliens from outer space. That made the kid giggle, and Sawyer winked at him. Or dangerous robots. Or spies for the CIA!
Thats ridiculous, Becca said, exasperated. Our CIA handler is the one who gave us all that fake documentation to support our covers in the first place.
Sawyer rocked back on his heels. So she did have a sense of humor? Good to know. The next few weeks were looking up already. He grinned at her, but she turned away to set the pizza on the table, almost as if she were hiding her smile.
Marc was kind enough to show me where the glasses are, he said, pulling one from the cabinet. The lemonade looks delicious. Want me to pour you some, too?
She cocked her head, seeming confused by the question.
Becca?
Sorry, Im not used to someone else serving me in my own kitchen. Lemonade would be lovely, thank you.
Sawyer remembered Brody mentioning an ex-husband whod bailed on her and the boy. How long had she been alone, that something as simple as someone else pouring her a drink was jarring?
Wait, Marc, slow down! Becca batted her sons hand away from the open box as Sawyer joined them at the table. The pizzas still pretty hot.
Guess what, Mama? Ive decided not to get a pet snake when I grow up.
Oh, good. She dropped her arm around his shoulders in a brief hug. I was going to talk you out of it, anyway, but this saves me the trouble.
The oval table was big enough to seat eight. Marc and Becca sat next to each other, toward the center, and Sawyer went around to the other side, taking the chair opposite Marc.
Its so cool Mr. Sawyer could have dinner with us! Marc grinned so broadly that Sawyer noticed for the first time that the kid was missing one of his bottom teeth.
Becca hesitated. Actually, he might be staying a few days. Or longer.
In the new upstairs room? Marc shot out of his seat with a whoop of excitement.
Marc Paul Johnston, what kind of table manners are those?
Sorry. He slid back into his chair, his tone sheepish. But he was still smiling.
Sawyer locked his gaze on his plate, not wanting to make eye contact with the kid. If he returned Marcs grin, Becca might think he was encouraging the boys rambunctious behavior. Besides, it was discomfiting to be the source of so much joy. Hed signed autographs for kids at rodeos and assisted tourists with children, but hed never had prolonged exposure to one. Youll be an uncle soon. Would he be close to his future niece or nephew? Doubtful. He sure as hell wasnt close to his brother.
Charlie hadnt even been the one to share the news that he and his wife were expecting; Sawyers mom had told him the last time he talked to her on the phone. The next day, Charlie had sent a terse email and Sawyer had replied with dutiful congratulations. That had been a couple weeks ago, and he could still hear his mothers chiding tone in his head.
Gwens due at the end of October. Surely youll want to arrange your schedule so that you can be here?
Hed told her he really couldnt say what his schedule would be in the fall, but that hed be in touch. Then hed quickly found an excuse to get off the phone. The truth was, even if he could make it, what would be the point? His sister-in-law was a nice lady, but her own family lived close to the ranch, so she had plenty of support. And as for Charlie... Ever since his older brother had returned to the ranch from college, the two of them could barely be in the same room without an argument erupting. Their father always sided with Charlie. Their mother just wanted everyone to get along. In her mind, that meant Sawyerthe outnumbered younger sonshould cave.
Something wrong with your pizza? Becca asked tentatively.
Sawyer realized he was scowling. Uh...you were right about it being hot. I burned the roof of my mouth, he lied.