The Trouble with Texas Cowboys (Burnt Boot, Texas #2)(74)

“It’s not every day the Gallaghers have to buy back their cattle from Salt Holler. Since they are blaming the Brennans for stealing them, they’ll all come in here with chips on their shoulders tonight. And the other folks will come to see the show. Maybe we should charge admission.”

“Not a bad idea. Do you ever wish there was another gathering place for the folks, other than Polly’s?”

“Never thought of it. Maybe the Gallaghers should build their own bar. I don’t think the Brennans would want to own one, with their religious background, but they could continue to visit Polly’s,” he said.

“Let’s get the doors open, but I’ll tell you one thing for sure, that shotgun will stay loaded and ready.”

“I’ll fire up the grill. Keep them eatin’, and maybe they won’t be so quick to want to fight,” he said.

Thirty minutes later, he finally looked up and said, “You are the prophet, Jillian Cleary, not me. That is my fortieth onion burger since I walked in the door. And we’ve used six bags of frozen fries.”

A rush of cold air took her eye to the next customers, and she smiled.

“What’s so funny?” Sawyer asked.

“Nothing.” She fished in her purse and brought out a bright purple daisy affixed to a hair clip, pulled her hair back on one side with her fingertips, and fastened the daisy right there above her ear. The smile on her face widened when Kinsey and Quaid Brennan claimed a couple of bar stools.

“What can I get you this evening?” Jill asked sweetly.

“Nice touch in the hair there. Looks like you’ve been to the islands. Hey, Sawyer, you want to fly down to the islands this weekend with me?” Kinsey asked. “We can leave on Saturday night and be home early Monday morning.”

“No, thank you. Y’all want something from the grill?”

“No, just a pitcher of margaritas and one of Coors.”

“Thank you for the roses, Quaid,” Jill said. “That was very thoughtful of you.”

“They are beautiful, but not as beautiful as you are. I was hoping you’d see that I’m serious about getting to know you better.” His flirting was deliberate and practiced.

“Where’d you get that daisy in your hair anyway?” Kinsey asked.

“Sawyer gave me two dozen today. I picked out the brightest one for my hair.” She smiled.

“So you like daisies, Sawyer?” Kinsey asked.

He set two pitchers in front of her. “I like Jill.”

She put a bill in his hand. “As in you are dating, or as in you are friends?”

He laid her change on the bar. “As in what I said. The rest is our private business.”

“Well, you don’t have to get pissy about it,” Kinsey said and flounced off to claim a table not far from the jukebox.

As luck would have it, Betsy and Tyrell were the next two to let a little fresh air into the bar. Betsy raised an eyebrow at the daisy in Jill’s hair. “Is it beach night at Polly’s or what?”

“Nope, it’s nothing but a normal Monday night. Y’all get those cows back yet?” Jill asked.

“We’re negotiating a deal,” Tyrell answered quickly.

“Oh, thank you for the roses,” Jill said.

“Just a little thank-you for all the help. They weren’t as pretty as you, but then nothing is that gorgeous.” He winked.

“So what’s with the flower? Sawyer, darlin’, would you fix us up six cheeseburger baskets and a couple of pitchers of beer?”

“Comin’ right up,” he said.

Betsy’s eyes had trouble staying above his belt buckle, and the expression on her face told the whole story about what she’d like to do if she ever got past the buckle and zipper.

Jill drew up two pitchers of beer and set them on the bar. Tyrell put a couple of bills in her hand, and she made change. He grabbed her hand and bent over the bar to kiss her fingertips.

“Darlin’, I’ll put red roses on every flat surface in my house if you’ll agree to let me cook supper for you. You choose the menu, and there’s no strings attached,” he whispered.

The very picture in her mind made her feel like she was smothering. That many red roses in one place. She’d feel like they were coming after her, like zombies in the apocalypse.

Betsy picked up the beer and started back to the table. She stopped after a few feet and looked over her shoulder. “Tyrell, bring the cups, please. And why do you have that flower in your hair, Jill?”

“Sawyer gave me daisies today, and they were so bright and pretty that I brought one to work with me.”

Tyrell’s face went dark. All the flirting turned to anger, and the determination into rage. He dropped her hand, and his strong jaw worked like he was chewing gum. “So are you two together now? Why aren’t you wearing one of my roses?”

“Because you and Quaid both sent red roses, and besides, I like daisies better,” she said.

“So that’s the way it is.”

“I’ve never led you on.”

“But you never completely shot me down, either.”

“Yes, Tyrell, I have. You just didn’t know it. We’ll holler right loud when the cheeseburger baskets are done,” she said softly.

He nodded curtly and joined Betsy at a table in the corner.