A Cowgirl's Secret(41)
Vera waved off Daisy’s concerns. “I’ll hook you up with the names of dozens of reliable contractors. Besides, the heirs are pushing for a quick sale. This is the perfect time to get a lowball offer through.”
“HAPPY?” LUKE ASKED. Daisy had signed her offer papers and they now sat at Lucky’s Diner. While Daisy finished her BLT, Luke worked on the roast beef special. Kolt was long gone; he’d run into a friend from school at the Realtor’s office, and Jonah’s mother had taken him to their house to play.
“I am.” Dredging her fry in ketchup, she said, “I need a project.”
“Thought that’s what your legal clinic was?”
“It is, but that occupies my days.” Swirling artificial sweetener into iced tea, her expression turned wistful. “The house will give me something to do nights and weekends. Don’t take this as a thinly veiled plea for your companionship, but I get lonely. After Kolt goes to bed, there’s only so much reading and toenail-painting a girl can do.”
He wouldn’t admit it, but Luke understood. Many a night he’d spent on his front porch, staring out at the view, wishing for a woman to share it with. Only, so far, no one even close to suitable had come along. He could thank Daisy for that. “What about your mom and sisters-in-law? Aren’t they good company?”
“Sure, but once conversation turns to babies or marriage, I feel like a third wheel. Other than our last names, we have nothing in common.”
Finishing off his potatoes and gravy, Luke asked, “How’s a house supposed to keep you company?”
Her expression flashed annoyance. “What it’s going to do is keep me so busy, I won’t have time to think about much else.”
“Is that healthy?”
Forehead furrowed, she asked, “Is it any of your business?”
“In a roundabout way. I’d like to see Kolt’s mom happy and normal. I don’t want my kid growing up with a head case.”
Pushing back her plate, she rested her forearms on the table. “Who appointed you Mister Perfection? I mean, seriously, you’re always preaching about how untrustworthy I am and now, you just assessed me as borderline insane?”
“I did not.” He downed the last of his sweet tea. “You’re being a drama queen.”
“Takes one to know one.”
“What?” He wanted to lob another verbal weapon, but her childlike comment was such a blast from the past, all he could do was smile.
“You heard me.” She smiled, too. “Sorry. I’m not sure where that came from. What were we fighting about?”
“I don’t even remember.”
“Perhaps that’s a sign,” she teased. “You’re too serious.”
“Me?” Hands to his chest, he said, “Mom’s all the time nagging me to get a real job. Settle into a serious relationship. Seems to me you’re the one needing help in that department. After all, who just bought a house in need of eight million bucks worth of repair?”
She tossed her wadded napkin at him. “It won’t be anywhere near that expensive and nice try at changing the subject.” She leveled a look at him. “You’re a great-looking guy, have a good job—despite what your mother thinks—why haven’t you remarried?”
“Lord, Daisy, do we have to get into this? You’re giving me indigestion.” The diner, with its yellow walls, faded linoleum floors and mismatched booths was usually one of his favorite places in town to hang out, but tonight, it felt uncomfortably warm. “Besides, I could easily flip your question around to ask it of you. You’re hot, loaded, educated—a total package. Who wouldn’t want what you have to offer?”
“Hmm…” Tapping her finger on her lips, she said, “You. On more than one occasion, you’ve made it clear I’m less attractive to you than your average ordinary leper.”
“That’s not fair. You know exactly why we’ll never be together.”
“Do I?” She glanced over her shoulder to find the booth behind her empty before whispering, “Because that kiss you gave me in my office made me think different. That maybe we just need to explore possibilities.”
“Are you coming on to me?” In another lifetime, he’d have taken her straight out to his backseat, but now, there was just no way.
“Why would I do that? Especially when you want nothing to do with me? However, isn’t that Rowdy Clements from Dallas’s graduating class up at the counter? I haven’t talked to him in ages.” Taking a twenty and a five from her wallet, she left it on the table, then stood. “Maybe he’ll want to talk to me? Bye.”