Conversation swelled around them. A harried-looking blonde scooted between tables, dropping off meals and pulling bottles of ketchup and barbecue sauce from her deep apron pockets.
Another waitress, also dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, delivered two pitchers of beer to a large table by the door.
“Hey! Sophie! Ty! We’re over here,” Annelise called from the far corner of the room.
Several tables had been pulled together to accommodate the large group. Since there were only three empty chairs, she assumed they, along with Brawley, were the last to arrive. The smell of grilled steak and barbecued pork hung in the air.
Ty placed his hand on her lower back. Heat! His touch dredged up too-long-dormant feelings. Feelings totally inappropriate. Feelings she smacked down. The two of them wove their way across the room, his hand remaining at her back. He spoke to a few people as they passed, smiled at others. Sophie politely nodded as she walked by.
She felt Ty’s eyes on her. But when she lifted hers to meet his, he looked away, his face closed, his smile gone. Had she done or said something to upset him?
Mentally, she chastised herself. She didn’t know Ty Rawlins, so how could she presume to make assumptions about his feelings? Maybe that moody expression was his trademark.
If so, who could blame him? His life sure as heck hadn’t turned out the way he’d imagined.
Annelise’s gaze flitted from Sophie to Ty, then back to Sophie, a question in her eyes. Sophie answered with a slight shrug.
“I thought Brawley was picking up Sophie, Ty.”
“He got hung up at Doc Gibson’s, Annie. No big deal. Said to tell you he’d be here.”
“Okay. Thanks for playing substitute chauffeur.” She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, then tapped a water glass with her spoon. “Everybody, my cousin, Sophie London. Sophie, I know you met most of these derelicts before—”
Boos and hisses rained down on her.
“Oh, did I say derelicts?” Her forehead creased in a mock frown. “I meant dear ones, of course.” She grinned.
That was met by a round of cheers and raised glasses.
“They’re in their beer, Sophie. What can I say?”
“And we’re only getting started, darlin’,” Cash assured her.
Annelise laughed and started around the table, reintroducing everyone and giving her a quick one-line bio on each. Sophie’s mind reeled. Would she ever get them all straight?
Cash’s sister, Babs, and her husband, Matt—who was Ty’s brother-in-law. Mel Ryker, the blond Adonis who owned the local newspaper, the Maverick Junction Daily. Maggie Sullivan, who’d created Annelise’s fantasy gown for the fund-raiser and now her sure-to-be-even-more-incredible wedding gown. Pauline and Quentin Hardeman, Cash’s parents.
When Annelise finished, Sophie laughed. “Sure hope there’s no quiz on all that.”
Ty pulled out a chair for her, then, despite the fact there was an empty seat directly across from her, took one farther down the table. She blinked. Well, that certainly sent a message, didn’t it?
Brawley came in just then, gave Annelise a quick kiss directly on the lips, and fell into the chair by Sophie. He picked up her hand and dropped a kiss on the back.
“Sorry about that. Don’t usually stand up ladies as pretty as you. Did Ty explain?”
“Yes, he did.” Sophie drew her hand away. “No problem. I got to ride in his big black truck.”
Brawley laughed as he leaned across Babs and bumped knuckles with Ty. “Thanks.”
Their waitress appeared.
“Hey, Mitzy. How’s it going?” Ty asked.
“Can’t complain. What can I get you tonight?”
Sophie ordered a white zin while Brawley and Ty ordered Lone Star beer. Everyone else asked for a refill, and Cash ordered some appetizers for the group.
Sophie laid her napkin in her lap and studied the people gathered to help Annelise celebrate her upcoming wedding. How was it possible, she wondered, that so much gorgeous had been dumped in one spot? Had the ugly stick broken before it reached Maverick Junction, or were all Texans this good looking?
She glanced at Brawley across from her. At Cash. Her gaze drifted to Maggie. A cloud of fabulous red hair set off the designer’s stunning beauty, and Sophie had to admit that it would be easy to hate anyone that beautiful—if given the slightest chance. But Maggie didn’t offer one. She laughed loudly and often and was as down-to-earth as they come. Her square-necked gold top had to be one of her own creations. She’d paired it with earrings that dangled to her shoulders, and Sophie felt less out of place in her own outfit.
And Annelise. Sophie studied her cousin. She fit right in here, which defied logic. The heiress to the largest oil company in the country was totally at home in this country hangout, drinking beer and eating peanuts.
Sophie noticed how often she and Cash touched, brushed lips, held each other’s gaze.
The conversation rolled around Sophie and sucked her in. Before long, she found herself ribbing and being ribbed right along with all the others.
It didn’t take a genius to see what had captivated her cousin. To understand why Annelise was willing to walk away from her Boston family home to live here in the backwater with her cowboy.
Sophie sipped her wine and reminded herself that everyone had a niche. This sure as heck wasn’t hers.
They made short work of the onion rings and the jalapeño poppers. Then they polished off a mountain of nachos.
“Annelise said you design greeting cards, Sophie,” Babs said. “I think that’s fascinating.”
“It’s fun. I like to draw. To paint.” Sophie smiled. “I studied both art and business in college. One thing just kind of flowed into another, and I started playing around with sayings to match my sketches.”
“You work for somebody? Kind of on contract?” Matt, Babs’s husband, asked.
Sophie shook her head. “No. That doesn’t really work for me.”
“Our Sophie’s a free spirit,” Annelise said. “She has her own company. Sets her own hours, her own direction.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that,” she said defensively.
“I didn’t say there was. I’m proud of you.”
“What’s your company’s name?” Ty asked.
“Stardust Productions.”
“I like that. It would be great for a clothing line,” Maggie said. “Fanciful. Dreamy.”
“Speaking of dreamy, here’s our food.” Cash rubbed his hands together in anticipation as Mitzy set their meals in front of them.
“Anything else y’all need?”
“If there is,” Cash said, “I can’t imagine what it would be.”
The table quieted as everyone concentrated on some of the best food Sophie had ever eaten. Amazed, she looked down at her now empty plate.
“I can’t believe I ate all that.”
“It’s the Texas air,” Brawley said. “Makes you hungry.”
“Right.” She chuckled.
A song about honeybees came on the Wurlitzer, and Brawley reached for her hand.
“Come on. Dance with me.”
“Now?”
“Sure, why not? Work off some of that grub we just ate.”
She tipped her head. “Why not?”
Cash and Annelise joined them on the small dance floor, then his parents and Mel and Maggie. Babs and Matt smiled at each other while they danced, and she ran a hand over her husband’s shaved head. Out of the corner of her eye, Sophie glimpsed Ty at the table alone. Chair balanced on its rear legs, he tipped back his bottle and took a long, slow drink. He looked relaxed, yet somehow a tad on edge. Mitzy walked past and leaned down to say something to him. When he grinned, Sophie caught sight of two of the deepest dimples she’d ever seen.
Brawley dipped her in his version of the Texas two-step and she laughed.
The dance ended and everyone started back to their seats. Annelise caught up with her. “Let’s take a girls’ break.”
&n
bsp; “Okay.”
She followed as her cousin led them back to the little-girls’ room…or in Bubba’s case, the heifers’ room.
“I’m not sure I like being a heifer,” Sophie muttered as she caught the door before it closed.
“You’re in Texas, darlin’,” Annelise mock-drawled.
“Yes, I am.”
“So, what do you think of him?” Annelise asked the moment the door shut behind them. “Isn’t he to-die-for handsome?”
“Who? Brawley?”
“Yes, Brawley. I watched the two of you on the dance floor. Nice picture. You move well together.” She sighed.
“Don’t start, Annelise. I’m not in the market.”
“I know.” But the twinkle in her eyes said otherwise.
“I’m serious,” Sophie insisted.
“This is where Cash and I had our first dance. Right here at Bubba’s. The second night I was in town. Technically, this is your second night in town—if you count the evening you spent at the ranch for the barbecue.”
She groaned. “Actually, we left late in the afternoon—before it turned evening.”
“You’re nit-picking.”
“And you’re matchmaking. That’s why you asked Brawley to pick me up tonight, isn’t it? Did the change of plans upset you?”
“I want you to be happy, Sophie.”
“News flash, cousin. I am happy.” The toe of her black stiletto traced a pattern in the seen-better-days linoleum.
“Look me in the eyes and tell me that.”
“Annelise.” Sophie put a hand on either side of her cousin’s face, met her eyes. “You’re getting married in a few days. That’s right for you, and I’m thrilled you’ve found someone to love, someone who loves you.”
She hesitated. “Not everyone needs that, though. Not everyone wants that. I’m happy with my life.”
“But Brawley—”
“Is certifiably gorgeous. Women must fall at his feet. But there’s nothing between us. Dancing with him was like dancing with my brother.”
“You don’t have a brother.”
“And you’re splitting hairs, Annelise. I’m sorry, but there wasn’t a single volt of electricity when we touched, when he held me. Nothing. Sad, huh?”
“Darn it! I’d really hoped there’d be something there.”
“Sorry. Besides, if I’m not mistaken, Maggie’s got a thing for Brawley, and I don’t poach.”
“Used to have. In high school they were an item, but that’s over and done with a long time ago.”
“I wouldn’t put my money on that. I think those fires are still smoldering.” Since she was here, she used the facilities, washed up, and tucked her hair behind her ears. “It was nice of Ty to go out of his way to drive me tonight.”
Standing side by side, Annelise studied Sophie’s reflection in the mirror. “What do you think of him?”
“Ty?” She rolled her eyes. “Where do I begin?” She fanned herself.
“So he didn’t make you think of your non-existent brother.”
“Are you kidding?”
Annelise smiled.
“Oh, no.” Sophie shook her head. “You’re forgetting something. He’s the father of three little boys. It’s enough to make a grown woman cry.”
Annelise made a tsking sound.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Sophie asked.
“Nothing.”
“Bull! I thought you wanted to set me up with Brawley.”
Annelise cocked her head. “I was wrong. I think you’re more Ty’s type.”
“Cuz, Ty’s posted a no trespassing sign. My guess is he’s still in love with his dead wife.”
“There is that possibility.”
“Yes, there is.” Sophie swung open the door and marched out, straight into Ty Rawlins.
He put his hands on her arms to steady her.
“Sorry,” she mumbled.
“Don’t be. My fault. I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
“Ask the girl to dance, Ty.” Annelise stood behind them in the narrow hallway.
“I—” He raised his hands.
“That’s okay.” Sophie moved to skirt around him.
“No.” He reached out, caught her hand. The jolt was instantaneous, and she knew he felt it, too, when he momentarily broke contact.
“It’s all right. I don’t need to be entertained.” She heard the snap of temper in her voice but couldn’t control it.
“Understood.” Ty nodded toward the jukebox. “But here’s the thing. Cash fed the machine enough coins to fill a good-size swimming pool. All those quarters. All that music. Why waste it?”
He looked at Annelise. “Matt and Babs said to tell you good night, Annie. Since it’s a school night, they had to head out. Get the sitter home.”
“What about you?” The question popped out before Sophie could stop it. “Oh, jeez. Sorry again. That was rude…and it’s none of my business.”
“No, that’s okay. Haley, the wife of one of my hands, is manning the fort.” He flashed a quick grin. “She doesn’t have school tomorrow, so I can stay out as late as I want. Besides, aren’t you supposed to save at least one dance for the guy who brought you?”
He held out a hand; heat flooded her face.
No way to avoid it. If she refused, she’d come off as a prickly snob. He had to think the worst of her anyway. Whatever social graces her mother’d drummed into her seemed to have flown out the window.
She had no idea why he’d want to dance with an idiot, but who was she to deny him that dubious honor?
“In that case, I’d love to.” She smiled, took his hand, and they walked together to the small center square reserved for dancing. She refused to so much as look at her cousin. Refused, for that matter, to meet any of the eyes in the restaurant watching them speculatively.
A slow number came on and Ty turned her to him, put his other arm around her waist, and drew her in.
“‘The Keeper of the Stars,’” he said quietly. “Quite a song.”
Her heart hammered as Ty very skillfully swept her along to the music. It was different from any dance she’d ever experienced. Night and day from the one she’d shared with Brawley. He’d been fun. Ty? Intense was the only word she could come up with to define the aura surrounding him.
Totally unfamiliar with country songs, she listened to the words over the beating of her heart. “It was no accident me finding you…” Her temperature spiked ten degrees. He was right. The words were captivating. Intense, just like him. And, oh, so romantic.
His hand holding hers was callused and strong, the one at her waist firm. Hot.
Ty did not, in any way, make her think brotherly thoughts. Instead, heat pooled low. Yearnings stirred. Thoughts and desires she’d doubted she’d ever feel.
The man was dangerous. She’d do well to remember that. But for now, she’d simply enjoy the moment. The dance drifted into a second, then a third. Sophie vaguely registered others on the dance floor with them, smiled when Annelise and Cash brushed past.
Ty stood over a foot taller than her five-three, and her head rested on the strapping cowboy’s chest. She heard the steady beating of his heart and surprised herself by wishing the song could go on forever.
She was deathly afraid she wouldn’t say no if this man wanted to park his cowboy boots beneath her bed. For one night, of course.
“Sophie?” Ty’s voice whispered against her ear.
“Hmmm?”
“The music’s stopped.”
She opened her eyes, felt the blush heat her face. “Oh, brother.” Quickly, she jerked free. “And once again, I’m sorry. Maybe I should have it tattooed on my forehead.”
“Don’t be sorry.” He shook his head. “I’m not.”
His black cowboy hat shadowed his eyes. She wished she could see them, read the expression in them.
Silently, they walked back to the table. She was careful not to touch him, not to brush up against him.
He pull
ed out her chair, said, “Thank you.”
“You’re more than welcome.” She took her seat across from Brawley, who picked up his beer.
He held it high. “A toast to the future Mr. and Mrs. Cash Hardeman and to friends, both old and new.”
Everyone raised their drinks.
“May the most you ever wish for be the least you ever receive,” Brawley said.
A loud cheer went up from the group, and Cash leaned toward Annelise and kissed her, long and deep.
When he raised his head, he stared into his soon-to-be bride’s eyes. “I have everything I’ve ever needed, everything I’ll ever need, right here.”
Annelise blushed and everyone laughed as they scraped back their chairs and stood. Time to go home. Before Sophie had time to collect her things, Brawley’s phone rang.
He answered it, frowning. “Sure,” he said. “Give me ten.” Sliding the phone into his pocket, he said, “Ty? That was Doc. He’s got an emergency and needs some help.”
Ty nodded. “No problem. I’ll drop Sophie off at Dottie’s. It’s on my way home.”
A look passed between the two men. “Thanks, pal.” Brawley stood. “Gotta go, guys. It was a nice evening. See you all for a wedding, if not sooner.”
“I’m thinkin’ we might get together for a poker game tomorrow night,” Cash said.
“Sounds good. Let me know.” Brawley stopped beside Sophie. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. Hope you don’t mind if this ne’er-do-well takes you home.”
“I think we’ll manage.”
“That’s twice now I’ve stood you up.”
“And in one evening. You’re a scoundrel.” Sophie gave him a quick hug, picked up her purse, then turned to Ty. “You sure you don’t mind?”
“It’ll be my pleasure.”
Brawley gave a quick wave and headed out the door.
“Give me a second,” Sophie said to Ty. She made her way to Annelise. “What are the plans for tomorrow?”
Nearest Thing to Heaven (Maverick Junction) Page 3
