by Kristi Gold
If she agreed, she would have to spend even more time with him, all the while trying to conceal her true feelings. If she didn’t, she would insult Maria. “I’ll think about it.”
He grinned, started away then said without turning around, “I’ll see you tonight.”
His confidence drove her crazy. He drove her crazy. But right then she had only one immediate concern... Her son’s impending departure.
Two
Georgie climbed into her truck and headed home to face what would probably prove to be one of the most difficult times of her life. After she pulled into the drive and slid from the cab, Chance rushed out of the door and ran to her as fast as his little legs would let him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and stared up at her, his grin showing the space where he’d just lost his first tooth. “Mama, did you see the rolling house?”
Georgie glanced to her right to find the massive RV parked on the dirt road leading to the barn. “I see that, baby. It’s huge.”
Chance let her go and rocked back and forth on his heels, as if he was too excited to stand still. “Aunt Debbie said I could ride up front with Uncle Ben and she could stay in the back and play cards with Grandma.”
No doubt the wily pair would be engaging in poker. “That sounds like a plan. Are you packed?”
He nodded vigorously. “Uh-huh. I gotta get some toys.” He grabbed her by the hand and jerked her forward with his usual exuberance. “Come on, Mama.”
“All right, already. Just hold your horses.”
Chance released his grasp on her and threw open the front screen door. Georgie followed him inside to find her mother’s sister, Debbie, decked out in a blue floral sundress and an inordinate amount of jewelry, and her Uncle Ben wearing a yellow polo and white shorts that revealed his usual golf tan that ran from the top of his bald head to his beefy legs. Not exactly December attire, but luckily the region had yet to experience any significant cold weather. But that was all about to change in the next two days, according to the forecast.
“Georgia May!” Debbie said as she crossed the room and drew Georgie into a hug. “You are still as pretty as ever.”
Georgie stepped back and smiled. “You look great, too, Aunt Debbie. I love the blond hair.”
Debbie patted her neatly coifed bob. “Glad you like it. I just wish I could say the same for my husband. When I got it done, he didn’t say a word. I don’t think he’s even noticed.”
“I noticed, woman.” Uncle Ben crossed the room, picked Georgie up off her feet, hugged her hard and then put her back down. “You’re still no bigger than a peanut, Georgie. And don’t listen to Deb. She knows I’m jealous because she still has all her hair.”
“So how are you enjoying retirement?” Georgie asked.
“Love it,” Ben said. “We just drove all the way from California.”
Debbie smiled. “Los Angeles was so wonderful and warm, but the traffic was horrible.”
Chance tugged on Georgie’s hand to garner her attention. “Can we go now, Mama?”
Georgie swallowed around an annoying lump in her throat when she thought about watching him leave without her. “Don’t you need to pick out some toys?”
“Oh, yeah.”
“Don’t bring too many things, Chance.” Her directive was lost on her child as he sprinted out of the room.
“Your place is really precious, Georgie,” Debbie said as she surveyed the area. “And it’s been so well done.”
Quite the change from when Georgie had first seen it—a basic two-bedroom, one-bath rental with outdated everything. But the appeal had been in the ten surrounding acres, complete privacy and the four-stall red barn. “You can thank Mom for the restoration. She had the hardwoods refinished, put new carpet in the bedrooms, remodeled the kitchen, including appliances, and redid the entire bathroom before I moved in. As much as I appreciated the effort, I do think it was overkill for a house I don’t own.”
Right on cue, Lila Romero breezed into the room, her silver hair pulled back in a low bun, her peach slacks and white blouse heralding her classic taste in clothing. “I couldn’t let you live in squalor, dear daughter.”
Leave it to Lila to overexaggerate. “It wasn’t that bad, Mom.”
“It wasn’t that good, either.” Lila turned to her sister and sighed. “Georgie is such a nervous Nellie, I’m surprised she’s actually allowing my grandson to go with us to Florida.”
Ben turned to Georgie. “He’ll be fine, pumpkin. I used to fly big jets holding hundreds of passengers, so rest assured, I can handle a forty-five-foot motor home.”
Georgie took some comfort in knowing her son would be on the ground in good hands, not in midair. “I trust you, Uncle Ben. I’m more worried that Chance will drive you insane with all his energy.”
Aunt Debbie patted her cheek. “Honey, we have eight grandchildren. We’re used to high energy. We’ll be stopping along the way and—”
“If he acts up, we’ll lock him in the toilet.” Uncle Ben topped off the comment with a teasing grin.
Chance ran back into the room, his arms full of stuffed animals, miniature trucks and his special blue pillow. “I’m ready. Can we go now?”
Georgie fought back the surge of panic. “Can I at least have a hug, baby boy?”
As if she sensed her daughter’s distress, Lila took the toys from her grandson’s grasp. “I’ll put these in the RV while you tell your mama goodbye.”
In that moment, Georgie appreciated her mother more than she could express. “Thanks, Mom.”
“You’re welcome, honey. Take your time.”
After her family filed out the exit, Georgie knelt down on Chance’s level and brushed a dark lock from his forehead. “You’ll be a good boy, right?”
“I’ll be good. I’ll brush my teeth and go to bed on time. And I’ll mind Grandma.”
“Are you going to miss me?”
He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, Mama.”
She drew him into her arms. “I’m going to miss you something awful, too. I love you, sweetie.”
“I love you, Mama.”
Georgie held him tightly until he began to wriggle away. “I gotta go now, okay?” he said, his hazel eyes flashing with excitement.
“Okay.” She kissed his cheek and straightened. “Eat some vegetables while you’re gone.”
He wrinkled his nose. “Do I hafta?”
“Just a little. That’s better than nothing.”
After taking him by the hand, Georgie led her son to the RV where she earned one more hug, one more kiss and an understanding smile from her aunt. Chance scurried up the stairs with Debbie following behind him, and once he had disappeared, Georgie turned to her mother. “You’ll call me later, right?”
Lila raised her hand as if taking an oath. “I swear I will report back to you on a regular basis. And I also swear I will not sell my grandson for gas money.”
Georgie felt a little foolish. “I’m sorry, Mom, but this is the first time we’ve been away from each other for any length of time. He’ll be gone for two weeks.”
“Two weeks’ worth of amusement parks that he’ll dearly love.” She laid a palm on Georgie’s cheek. “I know it’s hard, honey, yet there comes a time when you have to let go a little. I learned that the hard way with you.”
“I know, Mom. It’s just so difficult.”
“It is for both myself and your father, even if he doesn’t show it.”
“I wouldn’t know since he’s clearly still refusing to speak to me, much less see me or Chance.”
“He’ll come around, and that reminds me...” Her mother hesitated a moment, which gave Georgie pause. “Speaking of fathers and their children, have you given any more consideration to telling Chance’s father about him?”
She’d been conside
ring it nonstop. “I’m still on the fence about that. The hows and the whens and whether or not it would serve any purpose at this point in time.”
“Honey, it would serve a major purpose. It would give your son the opportunity to know his dad. They deserve to know each other.”
With that, Lila climbed on board and closed the door without awaiting her daughter’s response.
As Georgie watched the RV drive away in a cloud of dust, she felt more alone than she had since she’d realized she would be raising a child on her own.
She could stay at home this evening, missing her baby boy. Or she could go to the Calloways for dinner. Then again, that would mean facing Austin while reuniting with his family. Several years had passed since she had seen Maria and the boys, and the thought of eating a frozen dinner held little appeal.
Decision made. Wise or not, she would go.
* * *
“She’s not coming.” That reality had become apparent to Austin with every passing moment.
Dallas stopped rocking the back porch glider and shot him a hard look in response to the comment. “You don’t know that, Austin. Dinner isn’t even on the table yet.”
Austin pushed off the wooden chair and stared out at the fence row lined with mesquites. “Georgie is never late. If she’d decided to be here, she would’ve already shown up.”
“For a man who claimed five minutes ago, twice, that he didn’t care if she stepped foot through the door, you sure seem concerned.”
He spun on his brother and glared at him. “I just don’t like people to go back on their word.”
Dallas leaned forward and rested his arms on his knees. “So she told you she’d be here for sure?”
He had him there. “Maybe not in so many words, but she did seem open to the idea.”
“That’s a stretch from saying yes.”
Austin muttered a few curses as he collapsed back into the chair. “Doesn’t matter one way or the other. I was just being nice when I asked her.”
“You were wishful thinking, Austin. You can protest all you want but you’ve always had a thing for her. You still do.”
Time for a subject change. “Tyler mentioned that Fort called you earlier today. What did he want?”
Dallas sighed. “A part of the proceeds from Texas Extreme.”
Austin couldn’t believe his stepbrother’s nerve. “He’s never even stepped foot on this place. Why the hell does he think he’s entitled to any profit aside from what the will stated?”
“Because he’s a greedy jackass, and that’s what I pretty much told him.”
“I just hope he doesn’t make this into some legal issue.”
“That’s why we have attorneys on retainer.” Dallas checked his watch. “Looks like it’s dinnertime, and that means your girlfriend probably isn’t coming.”
“No big deal.”
Dallas smirked. “Yeah, right. That’s why you look so damn disappointed.”
He’d obviously been too transparent. “You’re full of it, Dallas.”
“You’re foolin’ yourself, baby brother.”
“Am not.”
“Are, too.”
His frustration began to build. “I really don’t care if she shows up or not.”
When the bell rang, Austin shot off the chair, strode through the hallway leading to the den, then stopped short before going any farther. Truth was, he had no idea who might be at the door. Probably one of the hands. Maybe even a neighbor. Or a brother.
“Georgia, it’s so good to see you!”
Okay, so Maria confirmed it was her. No need for him to rush into the room and have her thinking he was anxious to see her again. Even if he was.
On that thought, he took his time as he headed toward the front of the house to the sounds of excited voices. He stopped off in the kitchen, grabbed and uncapped a beer from the fridge, then continued on through the dining room where the food had been laid out like a banquet. He paused at the arched opening to take a drink and watch the women circling Georgie, bombarding her with compliments and questions. He wouldn’t blame her if she backed out the door and left for the sake of her sanity.
Jenny glanced over her shoulder and smiled at him. “Oh, Austin, sugar, she is just precious,” she said, like she’d been presented a puppy.
Then the feminine wall parted, revealing a full view of the revered guest dressed in a pale blue sweater and jeans tucked into knee-high boots. Her long, black hair, gathered up on top and secured in a clip, fell around her shoulders in soft curls.
Precious wasn’t the description that came to Austin’s mind. Sexy was much more like it. She might be small in stature, but she had an abundance of curves that would kill a lesser man. He’d had the good fortune to explore that territory on more than one occasion. He’d like to do a little exploring tonight. Slowly. With his mouth.
He felt the stirrings down south, thanks to his sinful thoughts, and realized if he didn’t get a grip, he’d have to step outside.
Austin took another swig of beer and moved forward. “Glad you could come.”
She sent him an overly sweet smile. “I wouldn’t have missed good home cooking for the world.”
Maria hooked an arm through Georgie’s. “Mija, you are welcome anytime. Now let’s go have a seat.”
“Let’s,” Jenny said. “We don’t want the food to get cold.”
Austin didn’t want to sit through the upcoming interrogation, but it was too late to turn back now. After all, Georgie might need a protector. Nah. She could hold her own better than most.
“I’ll go get Dallas,” Paris said as they wandered toward the dining room.
Austin trailed behind the threesome, all the while watching the sway of Georgie’s hips. She had a butt that wouldn’t quit, and he better quit thinking about that butt or he’d have to stay at the table long after dinner was done.
Jenny gestured toward the place at the head of the table. “Georgie, you sit here since you’re the guest of honor.”
Georgie looked a little flustered. “That’s not necessary. I’ve sat at this table many times before.”
Maria pulled out the chair. “Tonight it’s necessary, mija. Like Jenny said, you’re a special guest, even if you are practically family. We’re all about hospitality around here.”
“So true,” Jenny said. “I came here for a weekend to let Fort meet his brothers, and I haven’t gone back to Louisiana since.”
“No matter how many times I’ve asked her to go,” Maria muttered.
Jenny frowned. “Hush up, Maria. You know you like me being here to help out with the place.”
“She likes your mint juleps,” Austin added.
Maria hinted at a smile. “Bad as I hate to admit it, those would be hard to give up.”
Following a spattering of laughter, Georgie took a seat while Maria and Jenny claimed the chairs on either side of her. Austin held back until Paris and Dallas came in and chose the two of the three remaining spots, leaving him the space at the opposite end of the table from Georgie.
He settled in, set his beer aside and eventually passed his plate to Jenny, who took great pleasure in serving the masses every night. She heaped enough food on it to feed the entire town and handed it back to him. “Do you need another beer, sugar?”
“No, thanks. I’m fine.” Actually, he wouldn’t be fine unless he downed a bottle of whiskey, or poured a bucket of ice down his jeans.
Georgie took a bite and just watching that ordinary gesture sparked Austin’s imagination. After she dabbed at her mouth with a napkin, she asked, “I’m sorry Houston and Tyler aren’t here tonight.”
“They’re at a rodeo in Waco,” Dallas said. “Houston’s determined to get one more national championship, and Tyler’s there to pick up the pieces.”
“Hush, mijo,” Maria cautioned. “You’ll curse your brother with such talk.”
“He’s already cursed,” Austin added. “And if he gets one more concussion—”
“Boys,” Jenny began, “you’re upsetting your mothers. Now let’s talk about something more pleasant.” She turned her smile on Georgie. “I heard at the beauty salon that you’re living at the McGregor place.”
She glanced at Austin before returning her attention to Jenny. “Yes, I am. The family was nice enough to lease it to me after Liam went into the nursing home. They’re not quite ready to sell the place.”
Austin had a hard time believing she hadn’t moved back into the Romero homestead. He figured there had to be a story behind it. “Did your mom and dad turn your room into a gym while you were gone?”
She took a drink of iced tea and set the glass down a little harder than necessary. “No. I’m an adult and I prefer to be on my own.”
Jenny reached over and touched her hand. “Of course you do, but it’s good to keep family close.”
“As long as it’s not too close,” Dallas muttered, earning him a dirty look from his wife. “Speaking of family, where is Worthless?”
Jenny scowled at Dallas. “He’s heading back from South Padre Island so he’s running a little late. And would you please stop calling him that?” She smiled at Georgie. “You would just love Worth, sugar. How old are you?”
“Did you leave your filter in the kitchen, Jenny?” Maria asked.
“It’s okay,” Georgie said. “I’m thirty-four.”
“Worth is twenty-nine, but five year’s difference isn’t bad,” Jenny added. “I think it’s okay for you two to date.”
“It’s not okay with me,” Austin blurted without thought. When everyone stared at him, he had to dig himself out of the hole he’d created. “I mean, Georgie’s a nice woman. Worth likes to chase nice women, but he’s not the settling down kind.”
Georgie lifted her chin. “Just to clarify, I’m not in the market for marriage at this point in time. Actually, I’m really too busy to date. But thanks for the offer, Jenny. I still look forward to meeting him.”
