One Texas Cowboy Too Many (Burnt Boot, Texas #3)(45)

She glanced over her shoulder before she walked out the door and Tanner blew her a kiss. Once outside, she crawled over the side, into the truck bed, and braced her back under the rear window. Her stomach growled, but she wasn’t sure if it was real hunger or maybe just pure, old anxiety. There was no way that Tanner and Betsy could have known they were in the burger joint, so that was coincidence, but was Tanner crazy, flirting with her like that? Naomi would kill him for that after what had happened, unless she really was in on the whole thing.

*

Rhett picked up the brown paper sacks, and carried the whole load out to the truck. He handed it over the side to Leah and let down the tailgate to make getting up in the back a whole lot easier.

She opened a bag and blew on the hot fries before she popped one into her mouth. She chewed while she removed the paper from her hamburger and bit into it, making appreciative noises like she’d done with the cupcake.

“Pretty good, huh?” he said.

“Fantastic,” she answered.

“Imagine running into Gallaghers in there.”

She nodded. “They’re like cockroaches. They’re everywhere.”

“So what are you going to do when you get home?” Rhett asked.

“I’ve got some things to work out from the past, some things to get straighten up about the future, and…”

“Why did you stop?”

“I forgot about the present. That’s right now. I should be enjoying it instead of worrying about the past and future,” she answered.

“What does your heart tell you about the past and future?”

“To get all my ducks in a row, so I can enjoy every minute of the present,” she answered.

“And what do you have to do for that to happen?” Rhett asked.

She took a long drink of her soda. “Get things straightened out with my family, and that’s not going to be easy.”

“You’re a strong woman. I’ve got faith that you can do whatever you set your mind to,” he said.

She set her drink down and laid a hand on his thigh. “That’s a lot of faith.”

He smiled, and she noticed that the soul patch was gone.

“When did you shave?”

“I shave every morning,” he answered.

She touched her bottom lip.

“Oh, that. I got tired of messing with it,” he said. “Do you miss it?”

“No, you’re handsome with or without it,” she said.

“Does your Granny know you’re on the way home?”

She shook her head.

Rhett finished his burger and stuffed the paper down into the empty bag. “I won’t come between you and family. I couldn’t do it and live with myself.”

“That’s not your decision to make or your burden to bear,” she said softly. “I sent my mother a message. She said she wouldn’t talk to me until I was away from the ranch. I told you that already. It’s time I knew what happened, so I’m going to start by talking to my dad.”

He slid down to the end of the tailgate and took the food bags to the can outside the restaurant’s door. She’d made her way to the passenger side of the truck while he was gone and waited for him to unlock the door. She’d cupped her hands over her eyes and was looking inside when he hit the right button on his key fob to open the door.

“Look, Rhett. It didn’t wilt. My bouquet is still pretty.”

She took a step back, and he opened the door for her. “The stems are in little vials of water, and besides, mimosas can take the heat. A rose or an orchid would wither up and die, but those things can withstand a lot.”

She pulled the seat belt across her chest and fastened it. “And I’m like that bouquet, right?”

He kissed her on the cheek and hoped to hell it wasn’t the last time his lips had the chance to touch her. “Yes, darlin’, you definitely are.”

“Then take me home. I can withstand whatever heat gets thrown at me.”

He whistled as he rounded the back of the truck. He’d started the engine before he remembered the serious conversation they’d had before she saw her mimosas again.

“Leah, there are some things better left in the past. Maybe what happened is best left in the closet,” he said.

She shook her head. “I want to know. I feel like they owe me that much. I bet it has something to do with this damn feud. I hate it. I wish it would end and we could live normal lives.”

“What’s normal?” Rhett asked.

“Good question. I bet a million dollars couldn’t buy the answer.”

Thirty minutes later, he pulled into the Brennans’ driveway, set her suitcase on the concrete, and opened the door for her. She stepped out, holding her purse in one hand and the bouquet in the other. The front door flew open, and Mavis Brennan filled it, hands on her hips, bigger than life, glaring at Leah.

“I talked to your cousins, but they couldn’t tell me what kind of bee got in your under-britches,” Mavis said.

“Well, maybe you can tell me, Granny. I think it’s time we air out the dirty laundry from years ago. Thanks, Rhett, for taking your only day off to come to the airport for me.” She stood on tiptoe and planted a kiss on his cheek. “I can get it from here.”

“You are very welcome. That’s what friends are for,” he said. “Good day, Miz Mavis. See y’all at the Sadie Hawkins Festival next weekend.”