You wanted me to lie to her? Cupids Bow is my home. Brody sipped from a travel mug, handing a second one to Sawyer. After you get on her nerves and she runs you out of townor buries you in the city parkI still have to face her.
Dont want to run afoul of the new mayor, huh?
Itll be interesting to see who wins the election. Truitts sort of...blandly competent. Not someone who inspires devotion, but his cronies have a fair amount of combined influence in town. Becca could be great, if anyone bothers to vote for her. Shes outspoken
Gee, I hadnt noticed.
and may have stepped on a few toes during her time on the town council. Half the town is afraid of her, and Jazz and I havent decided if thats going to work for or against her. Maybe people will be too scared not to vote for her.
Sawyer chuckled. Well, she doesnt scare me. Rather, she intrigued him, her steel-spined demeanor a seeming contradiction to the house shed decorated with soft, frilly things. And she amused him, with her unexpected playful side, as well as impressing him with how much she clearly loved her kid. Sawyer had a lot of respect for mothers; the only person in his family he tried to maintain a relationship with was his mom.
Wait a minute. Brody peered at him in the dim light of the glowing dashboard. You like her, dont you? I thought the two of you would drive each other crazy.
Because she was admittedly bossy and he had a habit of provoking peopleespecially when it brought fire to a pair of unforgettable blue eyes? Like I said, give it time.
* * *
...AND YOU JUST know the bastard did this on purpose, Sierra concluded, pacing the length of Beccas living room as she ranted.
Seated on the sofa with her legs tucked beneath her, Hadley Lanier nodded, her dark ponytail swishing. Her summary of the situation was the same as Sierras, but with significantly less cursing. This is another lame attempt to sabotage you.
Originally, Becca had invited the two women over for a girls night, since Marc was spending his Friday evening at dinner and a movie with the Whittmeyers. But plans for lighthearted conversation over sangria had become an impromptu strategy session now that Mayor Truitt had abruptly cut the budget for the upcoming centennial celebration.
Emergency reallocation of funds, my ass, Sierra said, snagging her wineglass as she passed by the coffee table on her next lap. Everyone associates you with the celebration, which means you could lose the election if people are disappointed enough with the festivities. Hes manufacturing obstacles just to make you look bad.
Let him try, Becca said calmly. The idiot had been trying to steer public opinion about her ever since January, when the paperwork had come in with enough signatures to officially qualify her as a candidate. At the Valentines Day celebrationwhich shed chairedhed been careful to praise the job shed done, while vocally worrying that the towns needs were cutting into her family time with Marc. In an April interview with the Cupids Bow Clarion, Mayor Truitt expressed his gratitude for the support of his wife and grown children, subtly undermining Becca by saying he couldnt imagine how difficult the job would be for a single parent.
In response, Becca had reminded everyone that Sheriff Cole Trent, the best sheriff in three generations, did his job successfully while raising two daughters alone. Of course, his circumstances had recently changed, now that hed met and married Kate Sullivan, but Beccas point had been made.
Youre taking this remarkably well, Hadley said, her tone admiring. I was so mad that on the drive over here, I was imagining far-fetched schemes to have Truitt disgraced. One of them involved costumes and code words and his ending up in a South American prison.
Becca shook her head at the younger woman. Shed wanted the librarian on her campaign because Hadley was bright and creative, but sometimes her imagination went to weird places. We dont need elaborate schemes
Code names could be fun, Sierra said.
when we have talent and skill, Becca finished. Truitt is shortsighted. He can create unnecessary obstacles, but Ill look twice as good to voters when I overcome all of them.
Sierra tapped her index finger against her chin. Only if the general populace knows about the behind-the-scenes obstacles. If you talk about problems that crop up, you risk sounding whiny. But the rest of us can strategically spread the word. Manuel and I make all kinds of small talk with our patients while trying to distract them from the pain of their workouts. And Kates grandmother Joan can casually mention your committee progress at her quilting club and weekly senior-center poker games.
Becca nodded, although she temporarily lost her train of thought when she heard a vehicle engine outside.
Hadley cocked her head, her expression shrewd. Everything okay? Thats the third time tonight youve tensed when a car passed by.
It is? Damn. Becca had impressed her friends by being unfazed by Mayor Truitts shenanigans, yet she was as high-strung as a horse during a thunderstorm when it came to the idea of her new tenant returning.
True to his word, Sawyer had been gone when she got up this morning. She had no idea when to expect him backor if shed even encounter him, given his private access to the attic. The big problem was that she hadnt informed the other two women of his presence. Earlier, shed almost told them that shed rented the room, but realized theyd ask to whom. Shed balked at admitting it was Hadleys hot cowboy in the tight jeans.
Better get it over with it. This was Cupids Bow. She was lucky they hadnt heard about Sawyer already.
Sierra laughed. Shes probably just listening for Marc to come home and youve found some way to turn it into a mystery.
Actually, I was listening for my new tenant. Becca stood, giving the explanation casually as she carried their empty snack tray toward the kitchen. I finally rented out that attic apartment. I told him he was welcome to use my kitchen for dinner, but Im not sure whenor ifhell be in tonight.
Both women were right on her heels as she refilled the platter with cheese, crackers and grapes.
He? Sierra asked. Somehow I always imagined you with a female roommate.
Me and you both, sister. Maybe Ill rent to a woman next. He wont be here long. Just a few weeks...although if she stayed this antsy the entire time, it was going to feel like a lot more.
Who is he? Hadley asked.
A friend of Brody Davenports. Hes going to help with the centennial trail ride, and in the meantime hes writing some travel articles about
Whoa! Hadleys dark eyes were huge. You dont mean the guy who was with Brody yesterday at The Smoky Pig?
Um, yeah. Becca cleared her throat. Thats him. Sawyer.
I cant believe your luck! Hadley said.
Frowning, Sierra leaned on the kitchen counter. Im not sure if this is good luck.
Are you kidding me? Hadley demanded. Shes got the hottest cowboy since your man living under her roof.
Sierra smiled faintly at the reference to her boyfriend, Jarrett, but her tone remained wary. You guys know I love my adopted hometown. Shed moved to Cupids Bow from Dallas almost a year ago. But people here can be a little...old-fashioned in their thinking. The worst of them question whether a woman can do the job of mayorwhich, hell, yesand even the well-meaning worry about her juggling the demands with being a single mom. How is it going to look that said single mom is shacking up with
Hey! Becca objected.
Sierra waved her hand in an impatient gesture. Im not implying a damn thing. But you know how gossip flows in this town.
Faster than champagne at an open-bar wedding.
Well, then you should introduce him to me, Hadley suggested with a cheeky grin. If he and I are dating, it removes you from any speculation.
Sierra snorted. Way to take one for the team.
Okay, Im not subtle, Hadley admitted, but we dont all have gorgeous ranchers in our lives.
Sierra grinned. Jarrett is gorgeous. And sweet. And more sensitive than he wants anyone to know. Her expression glowed. Witnesses would be able to tell from twenty paces that she was in love.
Had Becca looked like that in the early years of her marriage? When she was the happiest shed ever been and fully expected that happiness to last the rest of her life? She drained her glass, trying not to feel bitter as she listened to Sierra joke about Jarretts latest attempts to get her to try camping.
He knows Im not outdoorsy, Sierra was saying, but the idea of cuddling in a sleeping bag with him does have merit.
Arent you going on the centennial trail ride? Hadley asked.
Nope. Im all for celebrating the towns big anniversary, but Im not a native. Ill celebrate from indoors with cake. And air-conditioning. She checked her watch. Speaking of Jarrett... I told him I might be home early enough for us to watch a movie.
A movie, huh? Hadley smirked. Is that what the kids are calling it these days?
Smart-ass. Sierra lightly shoved the other womans shoulder. How would I know what the kids are calling it? Im older than you are.
As the only woman over thirty in the room, Becca rolled her eyes. Neither of you are allowed to use the word old.
Youre not much older than we are, but youre definitely wiser, Sierra said. One of many reasons why youll make a great mayor. Do you want to work on revamping the celebration budget? I can text Jarrett that Ill be late.
Thanks, but no. You go home to your rancher, and let me crunch the numbers. The funny thing about Truitt trying to rattle her with a reduced budget was that nothing he threw at her could be as big a shock as her husband leaving and Becca suddenly finding herself the head of a single-income family. Before that were the years shed tried to cobble together a grocery budget for a large family out of spare change from the sofa cushions and her brothers lawn-mowing money. Making do with less was her entire wheelhouse. Ill call you guys this week after Ive done some math.
Hadley grimaced. Not to be an English-major cliché, but count me out. Slogans and speeches, Ive got your back. Math? Youre on your own, madam mayor.
As Sierra, who had a head for numbers, heckled the brunette about passing up an opportunity to improve her skills, they gathered up their purses and put on their previously discarded shoes. Then they said good-night, leaving Becca in the suddenly still house. She stayed so busy with Marc and her community activities that the peace and quiet was almost startling.
And then the phone rang.
My fault for not appreciating the silence while I had it. She picked up the cordless phone from the kitchen counter. Hello.
Rebecca?
Becca flinched. Mother? Had something happened to one of her brothers or sisters? It was difficult to imagine anything short of an emergency prompting Odette to call. Becca could count on her fingers the number of times theyd spoken since she left home. Her dads funeral, her sisters wedding...the wheedling phone calls when Odette realized her late brother-in-law had left Becca all his money. When Becca had been pregnant with Marc, shed reached out to her mother, but Odette had refused to take her calls, still holding a bitter grudge because her oldest child had eloped. Whats wrong?
Her mother sniffed. Does something have to be wrong for me to miss my firstborn?
Concern for her siblings dissipated, suspicion filling the vacancy. Her mother had alternately relied on her and resented her over the years, but theyd never been close. The last time you missed me, it was because youd run through the bulk of Daddys life insurance settlement and wanted money.
Rebecca Ruth, I did not raise you to be disrespectful. And taking care of children is not cheap.
What children? Everett drove 18-wheelers now, earning a living the same way their father had, Courtney was married in Oklahoma and Beccas twin brothers, Sean and Shane, ran their own auto body repair and paint shop. Only eighteen-year-old Molly still lived at home. There were moments Becca suffered pangs of guilt for not maintaining a relationship with her little sister, but the age gap between them didnt leave them with much in common.
Is that the real reason you havent made more of an effort? Or are you just selfishly reveling in your freedom? Becca had given so much of herself to her siblings for so long that her relationship with her family had felt parasitic by the time she left home. Was it selfish to distance herself from them, or simply an act of self-preservation?
Even these few moments on the phone with her mother were draining her. She sagged into a kitchen chair. Youre not much older than we are, Sierra had said. But sometimes Becca felt ancient. Being forced into a caretaker role at four years old aged a woman before her time.
Ive had a long day, Becca said. How about we get straight to the reason you called? She spared a glance at the digital clock above the stainless steel stove. Would she have enough time to squeeze in a bubble bath before the Whittmeyers brought Marc home? But then her mind strayed to Sawyer and when he might return. The idea of being naked except for a layer of scented bubbles with the cowboy in the house made her feel oddly vulnerable. Thats ridiculous. Are you planning not to bathe or change clothes while hes staying here? Still...
Its about your sister, Odette said with an aggrieved sigh. Mollys been out of high school since January, and all shes managed to do is get fired from three jobs and date two inappropriate men. The one who just dumped her is almost forty! Bet shell go running back to him if he calls. She did last time.
Beccas stomach clenched, regret burning like an ulcer. Molly had always had good grades, nearly as good as Becccas had been, and shed earned enough credits to graduate a semester early. Maybe if wed kept in better touch, I could have helped her develop some ambition for college. Or for anything. Knowing Odette, Becca guessed shed been leaning on her youngest as live-in help, so why would she foster Mollys desire to leave?
It sounded as if mother and teen werent getting along. On the one hand, discord between them might finally motivate Molly to seek greener pastures. But Becca wanted to see her sister in community college or IT courses or dental hygienist schoolsomething productivenot shacked up with a man twice her age because she didnt have the income to live on her own.
Shes impossible, Odette complained. I dont know what the hell Im supposed to do with her.
Parent her. But there was no point in saying that. For all that Odette had given birth to six of them, shed never been overly invested in raising children. In fact, Becca was almost surprised her mother even cared enough to seek guidance over Mollys behavior. Have you talked to Courtney to get her input? Beccas second-youngest sibling knew Molly a lot better than she did.