The Trouble with Texas Cowboys (Burnt Boot, Texas #2)(85)

“And bring us a double order of the poppers and an onion blossom,” Finn said.

“You hungry, darlin’?” Callie asked. “Or do you think we are?”

“Starving. My stomach was growling so loud, folks around me thought I was snoring in church,” Finn answered. “Hey, I thought Mavis and Naomi might lock it up right there in the church house after church. Anyone else see what happened?”

Jill shook her head.

“They came up to shake the preacher’s hand at the same time. That meant one had to step aside,” Callie explained. “Even Verdie held her breath.”

“Why?” Sawyer asked.

“Because it would be like losing a battle in the war to whoever took second place, right?” Jill asked. “Which one lost?”

“Neither,” Callie said. “Verdie stepped between them and started talking. She steered them out of the church without stopping to visit with the preacher at all. She rambled on and on about Salt Draw and the kids, and neither of them said a word to her or to each other. When they were outside, they went straight to their own trucks.”

“Damnedest thing I ever saw. Verdie said that she did it because she didn’t want our date ruined.” Finn laughed. “I love that woman.”

Callie touched his arm and looked up into his eyes. “As much as you do me?”

“Oh, honey, I don’t love anyone that much.” He kissed her on the tip of the nose.

“How would two old women rolling around and tearing up their panty hose ruin our date?” Sawyer asked.

“I didn’t ask. I just figured Verdie knew what she was talking about,” Finn answered.

“Sweet tea for everyone,” the waiter said at Finn’s elbow. “The appetizers will be here in about three minutes. Have you decided on dinner?”

“Chicken-fried,” Jill said. “Steak fries, pinto beans, and ranch dressing on my salad.”

“Sawmill gravy or brown gravy?” he asked.

“Sawmill,” Jill said.

“Same for me,” Callie said.

Finn handed him the menu and said, “Make it three.”

“Meatloaf and mashed potatoes, corn, and ranch dressing,” Sawyer said.

“It won’t be as good as Granny O’Donnell’s,” Finn whispered when the waiter was out of earshot.

“Neither will the chicken-fried steak.” Sawyer grinned. “Did I tell you that they’re all coming for Easter?”

“Mama says my side is coming to Salt Draw. I thought we’d have the egg hunt at Salt Draw, since we’re the ones who already have kids,” Finn said.

Already have kids? The line ran around in Jill’s head in a continuous loop. Jill felt the color leave her face.

“Are you okay?” Sawyer asked.

Her head bobbed twice. “How many family members are you talking about?”

“Couldn’t begin to get a head count,” Finn said. “My family is coming to Salt Draw, and then there’s Uncle Cash’s crew from over in Ringgold. They usually have Easter at their ranch, but Granny says since I’m the newest one married, everyone is coming to Burnt Boot.”

Callie laid a hand on Jill’s shoulder. “Most of them came to see us a few weeks ago. Couple of the cousins were standoffish until they figured out that I wasn’t some kind of crazy, pistol-toting woman. By the time they all left, I think they’d accepted the fact that Finn and I were married and adopting four kids fairly well.”

“If we have Rhett hired on at Fiddle Creek, his family might load up and come too. So that would be even more O’Donnells,” Sawyer said.

“Rhett is lookin’ for a job? Why didn’t you tell me? I would have put him to work weeks ago,” Finn said.

“Gladys said I can hire him, so don’t you go tryin’ to steal him from me. I need the help more than you do,” Sawyer said.

Callie moved her chair closer to Jill. “Let them argue like cousins. Tell me, how are things going? Any more trouble with the feud? It has kind of died down this week.”

“I think it’s just simmering,” Jill whispered. “They’ve figured out they aren’t getting Fiddle Creek through me and probably think that since Sawyer and I are going out on dates that he’s angling to get it. But he’s not that kind of man, Callie.”

“Don’t know an O’Donnell that thinks like that. They are all the salt of the earth, which reminds me, don’t be scared of them. I saw the fear in your eyes. They’ll love you because you love Sawyer,” she said. “Now tell me more about this ice-tray thing. Finn told me y’all bought an ice tray on your first date.”

Jill had a moment of mixed emotions. First, she wondered if Sawyer told Finn everything they did, and it brought heat to her cheeks. On the other hand, she was glad that he was as excited about the ice tray as she’d been. And then her cheeks burned like fire when she realized that Callie had said that she loved Sawyer, right out loud in public.

Jill cleared her throat and tried to get control of the blush by talking. “We found the old metal ice tray and the cute little handmade bear on the same shelf. We bought the ice tray to remind us of our first date and how much fun we had.”

“And this week we’re buying the bear,” Sawyer said.