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  Maybe it was the reassurance she’d gained since coming to the inn and being surrounded by such caring and giving people that she wanted to pass on to Midnight. But how to do it?

  With a shrug, she said, “I guess I have to keep visiting him and talking to him to make him see I’m one of the good guys.”

  “Think he already knows that. Just give him a little time, darlin’. You might be surprised.”

  “I hope so.” She pulled away and ascended the short flight of stairs. But over her shoulder, she said, “Thanks again, cowboy.”

  * * * * *

  On Wednesday night, Sky put sorbet samplers in the freezer and chocolate mousse in the walk-in cooler for any dessert requests that might come later in the evening, and knocked off early. She changed from her baker’s jacket into a slinky black dress with spaghetti straps, a structured bodice and a flirty, flared skirt. She paired the garment with black boots that had decorative silver tips and thin silver embroidery up the sides.

  She applied a little more makeup than what she wore when she worked in the kitchen, and added a crimson lipstick that popped against all the neutral shades on her face and the black dress. She tossed the tube and her compact into her silver snakeskin clutch and met Reese in the reception area.

  Her friend whistled in appreciation. “Good Lord, Sky. You are a woman who knows how to turn heads.”

  “Actually, it’s nice to have an occasion to wear a dress. I’ve been living in my jeans since moving back to Texas. And it’s a good thing we’re going to Pietro’s tonight. I’m sure word has gotten ’round that I’m in town, and my aunt and uncle will be rabid if I don’t visit them soon.”

  “You’ve been checking your cell phone a lot,” Reese noted. “That’s not Ruby and Mike calling you?”

  Sky instantly tensed.

  “What?” Reese asked, clearly not missing Sky’s bunched shoulders.

  “It’s not my family calling. It’s the sidewinder.” With veiled threats. Apparently, he didn’t intend to leave her alone ’til he got his hands on her money.

  Reese’s brows drew together. “I thought that was all over.”

  “Yeah, me too.” She’d issued her own threat, after all, when he’d busted into her trailer in Luckenbach a month ago. “Apparently, he’s not into giving up. Makes me wonder what he’s done that has put him in such a jam, he’s near desperate for some cash.”

  “Well, you’re not giving him a dime, are you?”

  “Hell no,” she scoffed. “I made that damn clear. If he had a legitimate need for it, I’d be more inclined. But after he snowed me in Nashville… I just know he’s into something I don’t want to be a part of. And the only way to get it through his head that I am o-u-t is to ignore him.”

  She headed toward the double doors at the entrance of the inn.

  “That’s not going to agitate him more, is it?” Reese asked in a worried tone as she followed along. “He did destroy your last phone.”

  Not the worst he’d done to her, by any stretch of the imagination. But Sky couldn’t say that to her best friend. Despite Reese’s neverending support, Sky didn’t have the heart to explain what had really happened with Mac Willett. And knew her own dignity would suffer a huge hit if anyone ever found out.

  The staff at the Painted Horse Ranch & Inn didn’t need to worry over one more abuse case.

  “He’s just rantin’ and ravin’,” Sky said, trying to sound nonchalant. “I can deal with that. I let it go to voicemail and then hit delete.” She was also fairly certain she’d gotten her point across that she wouldn’t kowtow to him if he came after her again in Luckenbach. Sky kept a 9mm close at hand these days. Not only did she know how to use it, she wasn’t afraid to.

  “Maybe you ought to think about staying at the inn,” Reese said when they stepped out onto the veranda. “We’re not getting a lot of bookings just yet, and you taking a room isn’t going to hurt anything.”

  “Thanks, but I don’t want to be an imposition. And I’m certain Mac won’t be coming back to Texas. On top of that, I have the cutest trailer in Luckenbach. Bought it from a widower and remodeled it inside and out. It’s about the most adorable thing you’ve ever seen. Only things missing are a lush front lawn, some rose bushes and a big, beautiful garden, which I intend to see to over the next few months. I’m also adding a monitored security fence around the lot.”

  “That’s wise,” Reese said, still concerned. “Kinda stresses me out that you’re living in Luckenbach all by yourself, with no one around. Not only are you pretty, Sky, but—again—you are a recognizable face, even if you don’t think of yourself as a celebrity.”

  “I don’t worry about anyone but Mac. And, as I said, I don’t foresee him coming back to Texas.”

  “What makes you so sure?”

  She sighed. “Let’s just say I can be convincing when I want to be. I made it perfectly clear he’s not getting a penny from me.”

  Or anything else.

  “I don’t know, Sky. He seems determined, if he’s still calling you.”

  They reached Sam’s dual-axel, pewter-colored double cab pulled up to the front of the inn.

  Sky said in a low voice, “Don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself.”

  She did not intend to involve her friend in the drama that had shockingly unraveled in Nashville and had, unfortunately, chased her to Luckenbach.

  Caleb swung open the doors on the passenger side and said to Reese, “Why don’t you and I take the back?” He winked at her.

  Sky rolled her eyes. “Don’t go all eighth grade on us. I don’t want to catch y’all making out in the rearview mirror.”

  “No promises there,” Reese said as she climbed into the back with Caleb’s help. He followed her in as Sam stepped toward Sky.

  “Need a lift?” he asked in his sexy southern drawl. His glowing green eyes roved her body and he gave a slight shake of his head. “Damn, the things you do to a simple black dress.”

  She couldn’t help but smile. Despite the fact she wasn’t in the mental frame of mind to get involved with anyone, she found him irresistible. And couldn’t stop from flirting.

  “You clean up pretty well yourself, cowboy.”

  He wore a button-down shirt, jeans and boots, all in black. His dark-as-night hair was a tad long, dusting the collar of his shirt in the back. The thick strands were tousled and the reckless style suited him just right.

  He gingerly cupped her elbow as she hoisted herself up into the passenger’s seat, careful not to flash the black lace thong she wore under her skirt. When she was settled, he closed the door. Though not before giving her another once-over. Sky didn’t miss the heat in his eyes and it sent a wicked thrill through her.

  She watched Sam as he rounded the front of the truck, thinking she hadn’t seen a hotter man in her life. And the fact that the strapping former Marine was a gentle giant melted her insides. He took great care with the horses, obviously. But he also had a tender touch with her. Something Sky found warm and inviting. Engaging. Welcomed.

  Her stomach fluttered as he slid in beside her. She leaned toward him and whispered, “You get the feelin’ we’ve been set up?”

  He grinned, and the fluttering in her stomach turned into flip-flops. He had pearly white teeth and perfect lips—not too thick, not too thin. She had the insane urge to nibble on the lower one.

  Sam said, “They can’t help themselves, being in love and all that.”

  She slid a glance to the backseat, only to find Caleb and Reese drowning in each other’s eyes.

  Returning her attention to Sam, she added, “I’d be annoyed, except that I adore her. And, well, I will concede that she made a very nice selection for me.”

  He chuckled, low and deep, sparking that dull ache in her pussy. Damn, he did the craziest things to her senses. So unexpectedly. Yes, she’d sworn off men when she’d moved to Luckenbach. Yet this one had her singing a different tune.

  He said, “Notice I’m not complaining about the
matchmaking.”

  With a crank of the key in the ignition, he started the truck and rolled out of the long driveway.

  Of the vast property they were leaving, she said, “This place is bigger than all of Luckenbach and the partial outskirts of Fredericksburg.”

  “Caleb searched for two years to find the right spot. He didn’t want to leave Texas, so I’d say we lucked out.”

  “Definitely. It’s beautiful here.”

  “How long have you been gone?” he asked.

  “Thirteen years, with just a couple return visits here and there. I left when I was eighteen.”

  “I know you made a movie and a CD. What else have you been up to?”

  “Few other things,” she said with a casual shrug.

  “Reese says you dance.”

  “Love to two-step.”

  He flashed a grin. “I heard it was more along the lines of Broadway and Vegas shows.”

  “A Broadway show. A Vegas show. Strictly chorus line for both of them, never a lead role. I was only in New York for a couple years. In Vegas for a few more than that, but I spent the first two years training for the audition. I had no idea what to expect when it came to being a showgirl. And I had to get into even better shape than when I was in New York. Those headdresses were ridiculously heavy, and the late-night show was topless.”

  He groaned. Sky laughed.

  “What did you expect?” she teased.

  “I had my suspicions. But you could have left that tidbit to my imagination. Now that I know it’s a reality…”

  He shifted in his seat, as though the crotch of his pants was suddenly a bit snug.

  The thought sent a titillating thrill down her spine.

  She said, “Maybe we ought to stick with safer subjects. Why’d you leave the Marine Corps?”

  “Got tired of being shot at.”

  “So much for safe,” she lamented.

  “I was deployed twice, once to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. But I wasn’t meant to be a military career man.”

  “Or an oil tycoon?”

  He smirked. Raising his voice, he asked, “Reese, is there anything you don’t talk about?”

  “My sex life,” she quipped from the backseat. “Oh wait. That’s a lie.”

  Caleb grunted. “Please tell me it’s not while you and your friends are sitting in the church pew waiting for the congregation to file in.”

  “As a matter of fact…”

  Sky laughed. “I’m shocked, I say. You’re usually so discreet.”

  “Ha, ha,” Caleb said with a chortle.

  They continued the amiable conversation until they reached town. Sam parked in the lot by Pietro’s and the foursome strolled along the sidewalk to the restaurant. He held the door open for Sky. She stepped inside, took a deep breath and savored the sinfully delicious scent of her youth.

  “I cannot believe I’ve survived this long without Uncle Mike’s food,” she said.

  “Uncle?” Sam asked with a lifted brow.

  “Yep.” She moved farther into the establishment where her aunt manned the hostess stand.

  “Now there’s a sight for sore eyes,” Ruby said as she spread her arms wide.

  Sky hugged her robust aunt tightly. Then she pulled away and admired the woman’s apron—she had a variety of them, all with something naughtily entertaining scrawled across them, usually an innuendo involving Italian sausage. This one was probably the cleanest by far, simply declaring Saucy!

  Ruby said, “I heard a rumor you were back in town, but I ignored it, because of course if it were true, you’d come by to see me.”

  She winced. “Sorry. I got caught up at the Painted Horse. But I’ve been dying to see y’all—and I’m in desperate need of some of Uncle Mike’s special creations.”

  “Speaking of specials,” Sam said, his stomach apparently getting the best of him.

  Ruby clucked her tongue and told the small group, “It’s folks like you that drove me to toss out the menu. Mike’ll make you anything you want, you know?”

  “But what’s the special?” Caleb asked.

  Sky laughed. Some things never changed. Her aunt had gone to the trouble and expense of having menus printed up, but when the devoted patronage stepped inside the restaurant and inhaled the evening’s prized dish, they were instantly sold. No need to consult a menu.

  Ruby said, in her Saucy! tone, “I’m not even gonna tell you. I know you’re gonna want it anyway, so I’ll just put in the order without you having to waste my time.”

  As it was, the place was packed, and more diners filtered into the large entryway. Sky asked, “Are the others here?”

  “I’ve got you set up in the corner by the windows.”

  “We’ll find our way.” Sky gave her aunt a peck on her plump cheek. “So good to see you.”

  “Don’t you dare leave without popping into the kitchen to give Mike a hug.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it. In fact, that’ll be my first stop.”

  She left her party and sought out her uncle. After a few minutes of catching up, she returned to the dining room—to the overwhelming greeting of everyone there. She made the rounds, hugs and kisses and all, until she reached the corner where several tables had been pushed together to make a long one that accommodated their group.

  Ryan Bain swept her into a tight bear hug that lifted her off the ground a few inches.

  “Good Lord,” she said. “How’d you get so big?”

  “I eat my veggies.”

  He set her on her feet, and she said to his new bride Ginger, “Damn, aren’t you still just the prettiest little thing?” All five-foot-two of her.

  “Marriage suits me,” Ginger said with a radiant smile. “You should have seen the dress. Good Lord, I barely made it out the double doors to the event lawn at the inn, my skirt was so full!”

  “I bet you were stunning. Sorry I missed the wedding.”

  “You were on tour. I understand.”

  Still, a hint of regret lingered that she’d missed so much of her friends’ adult lives.

  Sky brushed aside the dismay and greeted Jess and George Mills. To Jess, she said, “I swear you’d never guess it by the looks of the reverend’s wife, but Lydia Bain and a pair of scissors is right up there with Michelangelo and a paintbrush. You have the most stylish hair in all of Texas.”

  Jess beamed, but said in a conspiratorial tone, “It was touch-and-go there for a while. Lydia and the reverend rode a morality crusade that inadvertently caused some serious hardships in this town, and I had to make a coiffure truce with her, or go all the way to Austin for a cut and color. And you know the stylists in that city are not cheap.”

  “Reese told me all about the trouble the Bains caused. I’m so glad they both came around.”

  “Thanks to Ginger,” Jess said with notable relief.

  Sky moved farther along, to where Jack Wade stood, a cocky grin on his devilishly handsome face.

  She said, “Boy, you are one good-looking son of a gun. I can’t believe you got hitched before I came back to town.”

  He gave her a tight squeeze, then released her. “Couldn’t wait forever, darlin’.”

  She waved a dismissive hand in the air. “I suppose that’s for the best. I hear you found yourself the perfect woman.” Her gaze landed on a striking brunette. “You’re too damn beautiful for this scoundrel.”

  Liza laughed. “I like you already.”

  They hugged. Sky added, “There’s nothing more heartwarming than seeing good friends happy. And anyone who can keep Jack Wade in line is aces in my book.”

  With a grunt, Jack said, “Let’s not go into all the wild-child behavior the three of us once exhibited.”

  Yes, he and Sky—along with Lydia, long before she’d gotten involved with the reverend—had had their fair share of crazy times, which they’d eventually pulled good-girl Reese into.

  The group settled at the table. Ruby brought over several bottles of chianti, on the house. Then she and
another server delivered the special to everyone—Uncle Mike’s famed sweet ’n spicy sausage and peppers. For Sky, however, her uncle had prepared a sampler plate. She inhaled the rich aroma as the others stared at her with envy.

  Pasta bolognese, lasagna, manicotti and eggplant parmesan. Her favorites. With a coy smile, she said to Sam, “I’ll share if you will.” Sausage and peppers were also her undoing.

  “This has just become the best unofficial date I’ve ever been on.”

  She elbowed him in the ribs. “That’s not really saying anything about me. You’re just interested in my food.”

  “And your culinary connections.”

  “Well, if you don’t piss me off, I’ll make sure Uncle Mike creates your own sampler the next time you come in.”

  “Wasn’t intending to, darlin’.” He winked.

  “Hmm. You might be a little more than I can handle.” What with all of his hotness and hypnotic green eyes and heroic qualities…

  So much for thinking she’d lost interest in men after what Mac had done to her in Nashville. She wanted Sam. More than anything she’d known.

  But Sky had serious issues to reconcile—and a slimy ex to get rid of—before she ventured into something new and exciting with Mr. Tall, Dark and Hunky.

  Following dinner, they returned to the Painted Horse. Sam took the winding drive on the western edge of the property to the cottage Reese and Caleb shared and dropped them off.

  Then he backtracked up to the main road, drove a little farther east and passed the monitored gate at the entrance of the ranch. They traveled up to the inn and he pulled into the gravel parking lot and cut the engine on the truck.

  “I’ll walk you to your car,” he offered.

  “All five feet? Aren’t you just the sweetest?”

  He chuckled. Then he slipped from the vehicle and came around to her side. He helped her out and they wandered over to her SUV. She opened the driver’s door and tossed her purse and keys onto the seat.

  She said to the studly cowboy, “That wasn’t so bad. Sometimes, Reese sets her mind to something, and it scares the hell out of me.”