The Strawberry Hearts Diner(25)

“Find out if Carlton is legit,” Shane said.

“Or if this is his first attempt to build a bedroom community,” Jimmy said.

“And if he’s really got investors or if he’s just a con man.” Quaid threw in his two cents.

“But, most of all, find out why he chose Pick. Does he think we’re all just a bunch of rednecks who’ll fall at his feet?” Ryder asked.

“I’ll do my best.” Despite the tall order, Jancy felt like she really was part of the group.

“But don’t fall for him,” Shane whispered for her ears only.

Two dots of crimson filled her cheeks. “Never. I don’t like fake cowboys.” Mercy, could Shane really be jealous? He shouldn’t be. A man like Hilton would lose in any contest with Shane—looks, eyes, muscles, and even his voice.

“I’m bringing Misty back to you, Waynette.” A teenage girl set a cute blonde toddler on the quilt. “She’s been fussin’ for her mama.”

“Thanks for watching her while I ate.” Waynette picked up the child and began to rock back and forth with her. “It’s nap time, isn’t it, pretty girl?”

Jancy forgot all about everything but the picture in front of her. She wanted a stable life, a good honest husband who loved her and wasn’t a damn crook, and a houseful of babies like that little child.



Vicky was looking around for a place to sit when someone touched her on the arm. She looked around to find Andy Butler smiling and nodding toward the tailgate of his pickup truck.

“Want to join me?” he asked.

“I thought you were Jancy’s date for the day. I wouldn’t want to get between y’all,” Vicky answered.

“She’s done thrown me over for a younger man.” He nodded toward the quilt where several young couples were sitting. “My heart is broken, but if you’ll sit with me, maybe it won’t be quite as painful,” Andy teased.

“Well, I can’t have you poutin’. It wouldn’t be good for our little town’s reputation for hospitality. Lead the way, Mr. Butler,” she said.

“That’s Andy to you, ma’am,” he said.

“Then I’m Vicky, not ma’am,” she shot back.

When they’d set their food down on the tailgate, he took a couple of lawn chairs from the back seat, popped them open, and motioned for her to sit in one. “Thanks for joinin’ me. You are the only person near my age I know very well.”

“Why are you here?” Vicky sat down and pulled her plate a little closer.

“Brought my dad, Wesley. He’s the gray-haired feller over there . . .” Andy pointed.

“Beside Woody? Do they know each other?”

“They’ve sat on a couple of committees together in this area, so he’s over there visiting with him about this estate thing.”

“Didn’t you tell him that Carlton is probably runnin’ a scam?”

Andy chuckled. “He and I . . . it’s complicated. I gave him my opinion after the town hall meeting, but he needs to see for himself.”

“Well, Woody will definitely give him a double earful.” Vicky started with a bite of brisket. “You didn’t make it over to Carlton’s table?”

“I don’t get meat loaf very often, so I bypassed the other table,” he said.

“Nettie makes it every Saturday,” Vicky said.

“Well, that gives me a good reason to stop by when I’m traveling from the new shop in Frankston to Palestine.” He put a bite into his mouth. “Oh. My. God! This is great. What is her secret?”

“That is as classified as the tart recipe,” Vicky told him.

“Oh, really?” Andy raised an eyebrow.

“Good grief!” she sputtered.

“What?” He followed her eyes to the table on the other side of the park.

“Now Jancy is over at that table flirting with Carlton’s cowboy.”

“I’d say that she’s infiltrating their camp,” Andy laughed. “She’d make a good actress. She comes off kind of shy and backward. That will bring that man’s guard down real fast.”

“If I could have your attention, please.” Carlton was leaning against the back fender of the limo with the microphone in his hand again. “I see that you’re enjoying the barbecue, and we’d love to tell you all about how our plans can benefit both your community and you personally. We’ll be mixing in the crowd if you’d like to catch us for a moment.”

“Why is he so hell-bent on having Pick, Texas?” Vicky wondered aloud.

“It’s a prime location and he thinks he’ll get the land cheap. He’s most likely already conned a few investors or he wouldn’t be spending so much on limos and a caterer to try to buy you with barbecue and big words.”

“We’ve spoken our piece. He should go on down the road for his McMansion business,” Vicky said.

“Amen to that. I told my father that he was all hat and no cattle. He said he wanted to see for himself.” Andy swiped a paper towel across his mouth. “But to answer your question, from a business standpoint, it’s like this. The lake is to the north and land up there will be more expensive, plus folks looking for a bedroom community aren’t interested in the sounds of motorboats and the smell of fish. To the south is Frankston, which is fine for buying supplies on the way home but already a little congested for what Carlton is looking for. This is the perfect spot. Not too far to Tyler, and if Palestine grows much more, it could accommodate their overflow as well.”