The Texan Quartet (Books 1-4) Omnibus

by Claire Boston

  “How’s business going?” George asked.

  Elle ignored the instinctive defensiveness rising up in her. He was making polite conversation, not challenging how she was doing. “Very well so far,” she said and forced herself to smile. “Your mother’s book club had a lovely meeting here and must have spread the word because I’ve had a number of other clubs contact me to ask if they can hold their meetings here. I’ve had to work out a calendar roster as most of them meet monthly.”

  “That’s great.” He seemed genuinely pleased for her.

  “I’ve put up an expressions of interest form to start my own book club as well,” she added and then immediately wished she hadn’t when he said, “I might put my name down for it.”

  That was the last thing she needed. “It will be during the day,” she told him.

  “A benefit of working for yourself,” George told her. “You can choose your own hours.” He grinned and Elle couldn’t help smiling in response. It was infectious.

  Nora served the drinks.

  “Thanks, Nora,” George said. “How’s Miranda?”

  Nora beamed at him. “She’s doing swell, though a little obsessed by horses at the moment. I’m going to have to find somewhere to take her.”

  “My niece Kate went through a horse phase,” George said. “It didn’t stick.”

  “Well I hope this doesn’t stick. I can’t afford to feed a horse.” Nora laughed and went to serve another customer.

  Elle sipped her coffee. “The red-haired girl who came in on opening day? I thought she was Adrian’s niece? Are you brothers?” Piper had said George was his manager.

  “Foster brothers,” George answered. “Kate’s father, who was Adrian’s brother – and my foster brother – died in a car crash eighteen months ago.” He was silent a moment. “Kate’s mother died too, and Kate lives with Libby and Adrian now. She’s always been like a niece to me.”

  How awful, but Elle was intrigued. She wanted to know more about how they came to be foster brothers, because she’d met George’s sisters the other day – there were already four Jones kids. What would make his parents take on another two children?

  She couldn’t ask though. She could hardly pry when she wasn’t willing to tell him anything about herself. “I’m sorry to hear about Kate’s parents.”

  He acknowledged her sympathy with a small nod. “She’s been amazing. What about you? Any siblings?”

  This was veering into territory she needed to avoid. “An older brother.” Her heart squeezed when she thought about James, who’d always been her protector and her hero when she was younger. Until Dean came into her life.

  She doubted she’d ever be able to fix their relationship, and James had never even tried.

  “What fees will you charge for these artists?” she asked, pushing the CD toward George.

  George raised his brows at the abrupt change of topic, but answered smoothly with an amount. “That’s for a two-hour acoustic set on the weekend. Do you want the same artist on Saturday and Sunday?”

  “I’ll go with just Saturday,” Elle told him. “On Sundays I might do poetry readings, or author talks or something similar.”

  “Great idea.”

  Pride surged up in her. She’d thought it was a good idea as well. She wasn’t sure if it would work, but she’d try it.

  George took out a computer tablet and tapped on it. “I’ve got a few availabilities.”

  They discussed dates and times until they locked in what suited them both.

  “I’ll send you an email with all the details,” George said as he switched off the tablet.

  “Thanks.” Elle had her scribbled notes but she wanted to check and confirm everything before she signed.

  It was close to closing time and she was far too comfortable sitting across from George. He was surprisingly laidback and easy to be with. He wasn’t scornful of her ideas, and if he disagreed, he did so politely, but let her make her own decision.

  “Now the business is done,” George said, giving her a wicked grin that made her skin prickle, “what do I have to do to convince you to go out to dinner with me?”

  Elle sat back, shocked. She’d been comfortable, relaxed and he had to throw this curve ball at her.

  “Ah –”

  “You’re so pretty when you get flustered.”

  Heat rushed to Elle’s cheeks. She didn’t know what to say, but she had to get out of there.

  The bell over the door rang as a customer came in.

  Saved.

  She half stood, looked over and froze.

  It couldn’t be.

  What the heck was she doing in Houston?

  Chapter 5

  Elle wanted to hide, but Lindsay had already seen her. Dean’s mother stopped, stared.

  “Elle?” The older woman moved toward her.

  Elle’s legs went weak but she braced them firmly. She wanted to run out the back and wait until Lindsay went away but it was too late.

  “Hello, Lindsay.”

  Lindsay reached her and threw her arms around her. “Thank the Lord: you’re all right. We’ve all been so worried about you, you up and disappearing like that. We all thought something terrible must have happened.”

  “I wrote you a letter.”

  “Which could have been coerced! Dean’s been beside himself since you’ve been gone. He’ll be so relieved to know where you are.”

  Elle’s blood ran cold. “No. You mustn’t tell him.”

  Lindsay showed her surprise. “Of course I must. He’s been depressed for months.”

  Elle couldn’t have this conversation now, not with George sitting right there. “Are you in Houston by yourself?”

  “Martin’s with me. He’s got an appointment with his accountant down the road so I popped in here for a coffee.”

  If she’d known their accountant was on the same street, she never would have leased this place.

  “How about we meet for dinner about six-thirty? There’s a restaurant a few doors down,” Elle suggested. “We can talk then.”

  “You’ll bring the Toby monster, won’t you?”

  He shouldn’t be there for the conversation she needed to have. “He’s having a sleep-over tonight at a friend’s house.” She hoped Nora could babysit him.

  “Oh.” Lindsay was disappointed and then she noticed George. “Who’s this?”

  Elle hesitated. She didn’t want Lindsay to discover she owned the café. “This is George, he’s a … friend.” She hoped he wouldn’t dispute it.

  Lindsay’s face changed instantly, her expression one of disbelief, not unlike the expression Dean used to get when she disobeyed him.

  “Friend? Is he the reason you left Dean? Have you been shacking up with this man while my poor son has been beside himself with despair?” Her voice rose as she spoke and one of the customers glanced over in interest.

  Before Elle could answer, Lindsay continued.

  “You harlot!” she hissed. “You leave my son, take Toby away from his family and we were thinking the worst had happened. How long were you having an affair before you left?”

  Elle couldn’t believe Lindsay was suggesting such a thing. She’d barely ever left the ranch and never unaccompanied. There was no way she’d had the opportunity to have an affair.

  George stood. “I’m afraid you’ve made a mistake, ma’am,” he said and gave her a friendly smile. “Elle and I are recent acquaintances. She’s a friend of a friend and was kind enough to meet me for coffee so I could discuss some business matters with her.” He held out his hand. “I didn’t catch your name.”

  Some of the indignation left Lindsay. “It’s Lindsay. I’m Elle’s mother-in-law.”

  Elle didn’t dare correct her. It wasn’t worth the scene it would cause.

  George didn’t react to that piece of news at all. “Mighty pleased to meet you,” he said. There was something in his tone and Lindsay blushed.

  He sure had an effect on women.

  Elle
needed to get them both out of there before anything else happened.

  “Memah!”

  Too late.

  All Elle’s hope fled. How the hell was she going to explain Toby’s appearance without giving away she was working there?

  “Toby!” Lindsay held out her arms and Toby leaped in to them, giving her a big hug.

  Elle’s heart squeezed. She hated the fact Toby couldn’t visit his grandparents; she’d had nothing against them, it was just she couldn’t figure out how to keep him safe from his father.

  “What are you doing here?” Lindsay asked.

  Before Toby could give away any secrets, Elle blurted, “I brought him. His friend’s mother works here and she’s going to take him home for the sleep-over.”

  “It’s wonderful to see you. Did your mother tell you the foals have been born?”

  Toby shook his head. “Really? Can I come and play with them?”

  “Any time.”

  Things were rapidly getting out of control. Elle had no idea how to get them back on track again.

  “I think the café is about to close,” George said, coming to the rescue. “How about I walk you back to the accountant’s, Lindsay?”

  Elle could have kissed him.

  “I’ll wait for Elle.”

  “Oh, I have a few things I need to discuss with my friend.” Elle pointed to Nora. “I’ll meet you and Martin at the restaurant at six-thirty.” She held a hand out for Toby and he took it reluctantly.

  George offered his arm to Lindsay and she grasped it, letting him lead her toward the door.

  At the door she turned. “You will be there?” she asked.

  Elle nodded.

  “Bye, Memah!” Toby called. “I’ll see you soon.”

  “I hope so.”

  George held the door open for Lindsay and as she went through he looked back.

  Elle mouthed, “Thank you.”

  He nodded and left.

  He would want an explanation, Elle was sure. She would figure out how much to tell him when the time came. Right at that moment she had to deal with her café and with Toby.

  “Mom, which restaurant are we going to?” Toby asked.

  “Go and play with Miranda and we’ll talk in a minute. I need to finish up here.”

  He pouted, but she nudged him toward the playroom and he went. Elle sighed and walked over to Nora, who was cleaning the coffee machine.

  “What was that all about?” Nora asked.

  Nora knew little of Elle’s story. “Lindsay is Dean’s mother. She doesn’t know the reason I left him.”

  “And so Dean has been acting like the depressed son?”

  “It won’t be an act.” Elle was sure. “He never thought he was doing anything wrong. Plus if it will get him more sympathy, he’ll milk it for all it’s worth.” She ran a hand over her hair. “Can you take Toby for a couple of hours tonight? I don’t want him coming to the restaurant. I need to explain things to Martin and Lindsay and he shouldn’t hear them.”

  “Shoot. I can’t tonight. We’ve got tickets to the Wiggles.” Nora was really apologetic.

  “Of course. Never mind. I’ll work something out.”

  Though she had no idea what. Sarah, her lunchtime waitress, had left early because she was going away for the weekend with her kids, and Elle wasn’t comfortable asking her other neighbors.

  Which left her with no one.

  “Why don’t you head off now? There’s nothing to do here, and it will give you time to get ready,” Elle said. She needed space to plan.

  “Are you sure?”

  Elle nodded.

  “That would be great.” Nora untied her apron and called for Miranda. They were out of the door in minutes.

  The final customers in the café took the hint and paid their bill, leaving right behind Nora.

  Elle followed them to the door to lock it and turn the sign.

  George was there.

  She’d hoped he would give her some time to get herself together, decide what to tell him, but she held the door open so he could come in.

  “I’m sorry about Lindsay’s accusations,” she said.

  George waved them off. “I’m not concerned about them. I’m concerned about you.” He stepped closer and Elle stepped back.

  He sighed. “When Lindsay mentioned your husband, you were scared.”

  “Not my husband.” Elle wanted to be clear. “We never married. Dean didn’t believe in marriage.”

  “What are you scared about?” His voice was gentle.

  Elle closed her eyes. What did she say? She walked over to the table that had been vacated, and cleared it. She knew George would follow, so carried the dishes to the kitchen to give herself a bit of time. When she’d loaded the dishes into the dishwasher and switched it on, she faced George.

  “Dean was abusive. I left when he turned the abuse on Toby. Lindsay and Martin didn’t know it was happening.”

  There was anger in George’s eyes but it wasn’t directed at her. “They didn’t know where you moved?”

  “No. I went to a women’s shelter at first. When I moved into my apartment, I sent them a letter to tell them we were fine and to direct any correspondence to the shelter.”

  “You’ll tell them the truth tonight?”

  “Yes.” She sighed. “I didn’t want to take Toby with me, but Nora has plans.”

  “I can babysit if you want.” He was serious.

  Elle hesitated. She barely knew George.

  But she didn’t want Toby to hear what needed to be said at the restaurant. Lindsay wouldn’t take it well and Elle wanted Toby to have a good opinion of his grandparents.

  “Ask Adrian or Chris for references. I’ve looked after Kate before.”

  She could call. But it wasn’t just that. Toby was going to be furious about being left behind. He’d missed his Memah and Pepah. She didn’t have a lot of choice. She wasn’t sure how much he would understand but he’d been there and he understood enough. Plus he’d be a distraction, wanting to talk to his grandparents, and she might not get the chance to explain why she left.

  Elle huffed out a breath. “I don’t know why you’re being so nice to me. Why won’t you run in the opposite direction?”

  “I’m a nice guy,” George said and grinned, but then sobered. “There’s something about you that fascinates me and I want to learn more.”

  Oh, hell no. Dean had had a similar intensity when they’d first started dating. Then she’d been thrilled to have someone’s undivided attention; now, she was a lot more wary.

  “I’m not interested,” she said flatly.

  “I know.” There was something self-deprecating in his stance.

  Closing her eyes briefly, she made her decision. “Do you have Chris’s number?”

  He tipped his head in surprise, as if he’d expected her to let him take care of Toby without checking first. “Sure.” He rattled it off and Elle dialed. George walked out of the kitchen to give her privacy.

  A woman answered.

  “Imogen?” Elle asked.

  “Yes.”

  “It’s Elle Carter here.”

  “Hi, Elle. How are you?” Imogen sounded pleased to hear from her, even though they’d only spoken a few times. These days Elle was wary of things that seemed too easy.

  “I wanted to ask you about George.”

  There was a murmur of surprise.

  “He’s offered to babysit Toby for me tonight and I wanted to check his references.”

  “Oh, sure! George is great with kids,” Imogen said. “Kate adores him, as do her cousins. I wouldn’t hesitate to leave children with him.”

  “Toby’s only five.”

  “Mmm. I still think he’d be fine. Hang on, let me check with Chris.” There was a murmur of conversation. “Chris said he was great even when Kate was a baby.”

  Elle hesitated.

  “It must be hard to leave your child with someone you don’t know so well. I could come over and help if you
like. That way there’d be two of us.”

  Having both of them there would make her feel better as she knew Imogen a little better than George, but could she take Imogen up on yet another offer? “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

  “I’d be delighted to. What’s your address?”

  Elle gave it to her and then said, “Can you be there by six?”

  “Sure. See you then.”

  Elle hung up and went out to find George playing with Toby in the playroom.

  “What’s the verdict?” he asked.

  “It would be great if you could look after Toby. Imogen’s going to come around as well.”

  He looked a little surprised again but nodded. “Why don’t you finish up here and I’ll follow you back to your place?”

  Elle checked the time. She would be cutting it fine if she wanted to finish shutting the shop and get home and back in time to meet Lindsay and Martin.

  “All right.”

  George kept Toby busy while Elle counted the till and finished up. Then he walked them to Elle’s car. He was parked nearby and followed them back to the apartment building.

  Imogen was waiting when they arrived and Elle was grateful. She didn’t want to be in her tiny apartment alone with George.

  She let them in, showed them around and got out some vegetables for dinner. Nerves zinged over her skin.

  Toby dragged Imogen into his bedroom to show her his toys, which left Elle alone in the kitchen with George.

  “I’ve got the makings for a stir-fry. I’ll cook it up for you and then Toby can eat.” She started to chop up the vegetables.

  George moved closer. “I can cook,” he said, putting a warm hand on her arm. “Why don’t you take a few minutes for yourself? Figure out what you want to say to them.” His voice was gentle.

  Elle squeezed back tears. She hadn’t asked for comfort but there he was offering it, and she desperately wanted to take it.

  “It’s going to be all right,” he said.

  She shook her head. “You can’t know.” She put down the knife and fled to the bathroom before she could break down.

  She only had a few minutes, but she jumped in the shower, hoping the water would soothe her. Pushing aside her confusion about George, she focused on what to say to Dean’s parents. Standing under the steamy spray she ran options through her head. The best thing would be to take the photos. People always said a picture painted a thousand words. She’d had a Polaroid camera – an old one Lindsay had given to her to take pictures of Toby. Dean had never been interested enough to keep track of how many slides she used or what she took with them. She’d used it to her advantage.