Sharp Shootin' Cowboy (Hot Cowboy Nights, #3)(22)

“I really can’t,” Haley insisted. She had a pile of journal articles to catch up on as well as work on one of Jeffrey’s projects. He was brilliant, but horribly disorganized. She’d begun reordering all of his notes from Alaska. It would take weeks. The very idea incited a headache. She massaged her temples. On second thought, maybe she should take a short break.

Yolanda shook her head with a sigh. “You know what they say about too much work and no play, chica…”

“Okay. I’ll go.” Haley huffed. “Are you free tomorrow?”

“I can be,” Yolanda said. “They owe me a day off after I pulled two extra shifts last week.”

“Can we head out early? Maybe around nine? We could walk the beach first and then have an early lunch. That way I can still get some work done when I get back.”

Yolanda’s brows met in a frown. “Why don’t you just bring it all with you?”

“You know, I hadn’t even thought of that,” Haley replied.

“Dios mio, Haley! Have you even forgotten sarcasm? I wasn’t serious.” She cursed under her breath. It was between lunch and dinner and the place was nearly empty. Nevertheless, the manager flashed them the evil eye. “Got to get back to work now. Are you going to order anything?”

“Yeah, I’ll take the veggie pita and a mineral water.”

“Got it. I’ll pick you up tomorrow at nine, but plan to make a whole day of it.”

*

Reid stared blankly at the package postmarked San Jacinto. He didn’t have to open it to know what it was. Why had she returned it? The message was clear. She wanted to break it off completely. Did it really matter? It wasn’t like they’d even been dating. He still hardly knew her.

Hell yeah, it did. Maybe it was pure ego, but he couldn’t accept defeat. He’d never failed at anything before, at least not anything he’d ever set his mind on. And he wanted her.

It was time to change tactics. His notion of wearing down her resistance with patience and persistence had blown up in his face. He’d held back with Haley when he should have acted. He wouldn’t make that mistake again. If she wanted to break it off, fine, but she’d have to tell him to his face.

“You still seeing Yolanda?” Reid asked Garcia between shots on the rifle range. Scout snipers had been the Marine Corps’ greatest asset in Fallujah. They went almost daily to keep their skills sharp.

“Yeah,” his buddy confessed, looking almost embarrassed. “I backed off for a while. You know, it seemed to be getting too intense, but now we’re back on again. I don’t know what it is with her.” Garcia shook his head.

Reid popped off a shot and then paused, eyeing Garcia again over his sights. “Think you could set something up?”

“You don’t take no for an answer, do you, esé?” Garcia chuckled. “It seems to me she doesn’t want anything more to do with you.”

“Maybe. Maybe not.” Reid shrugged one shoulder. “I’m thinking the latter, but then again, I’ve always been a stubborn shit. You gonna make that call?”

“Yeah, I’ll make the call. Just don’t blame me when she hands your balls back to you.”





Chapter 9


Surprisingly, Yolanda was right on time. “Do you want to drive all the way or park at the bay and take the ferry over to Coronado?” she asked.

“Let’s drive,” Haley replied. “I hate lines and crowds.” She’d always despised being confined but had noticed it a lot more since coming home. California seemed so much more congested after the wide-open spaces of Alaska.

They took Yolanda’s VW convertible, driving with the top down, the radio blaring, and the wind whipping their hair. Haley leaned back, relishing the combined sensations of warm sun and cool breeze. The day was picture perfect, clear and cloudless, casting rays of light rippling over the frigid waters of San Diego Bay. The bay was dotted with sails and kayaks as they drove over Coronado Bridge.

Traffic into San Diego was surprisingly light but became heavier once they crossed the bridge, and then came to a virtual standstill once they hit Ocean Boulevard toward Central Beach. With its silvery sand and backdrop of majestic mansions, there couldn’t be much greater contrast after living for months in the Arctic wilderness.

After driving up and down the street several times, they finally found a parking spot. Haley shaded her eyes and gazed out at the pristine beach while Yolanda unloaded a couple of folding beach chairs and a small cooler.

“If you’re hungry, I packed a few snacks, but save your appetite for dinner. We have an early reservation at Candelas.”

“Sounds great to me,” Haley replied. Candelas on the Bay was a local favorite offering a unique fusion of Mexican and French cuisine and breathtaking views of the San Diego skyline. “You know, I’m really glad you talked me into this.”

“Me too, chica.” Yolanda’s mouth curved into a wistful smile. “Who knows if we’ll ever get another chance to do this kind of thing again?”

“Probably not for a while,” Haley agreed.

“You aren’t coming back after you graduate, are you?”

“I don’t know where I’ll end up, but probably not here.” She laid her hand over Yolanda’s. “But we’ll still keep in touch wherever I end up.”