Shoulda Been a Cowboy (Rough Riders #7)(37)

“Funny, I always look forward to your cooking.”


“Ah. So is that why you’ve been coming in at least once a day for the last two years? Because of my culinary skills?”


“I’m a bachelor. Half the time I eat Cap’n Crunch for supper.”


Domini leaned across the table. “That is not an answer, Cam.”


“I know. But I don’t guess you’d like to hear how seeing your pretty face never fails to make my day, no matter what else happens to me during the course of that day.”


“You’re wrong. Sometimes I want to hear mushy stuff.”


Cam touched her face. “Anything you want, Domini. Name it.”


The doorbell pinged. Cam dropped his hand and threaded their fingers together. Before Domini tore her gaze away from Cam’s compelling blue eyes, a blond ball of energy stopped short of tackling her in the booth.


“Guess what? Mom said next week I can spend the night and you can take me to school—” Anton caught sight of Cam. His teeth clamped together so fast Domini feared he might have chipped a molar.


“Hey, Anton. Do you know Deputy McKay?”


Anton shook his head.


Cam stuck out his right hand. “Pleased to meet you Anton.”


He shook Cam’s hand, albeit reluctantly.


The bell pinged again and Nadia hustled in. The second Nadia saw Cam, she froze too. She gathered herself and stood behind Anton.


“Nadia, you remember Deputy McKay?”


Cam returned Nadia’s quick nod of acknowledgment.


“What brings you guys by?” Domini asked to fill the silence.


“We were out and about and thought we’d see if you had time to eat with us.”


“Shoot. I’m working in the kitchen tonight—”


“No big deal, it was a spur of the moment idea anyway. Another time.” Nadia squeezed Anton’s shoulders. “Let’s go home.” She aimed a cool gaze at Cam. “Deputy.”


Then Nadia and Anton were gone. Weird.


Half a dozen people came in. She sighed. “Time to get to work.” Domini tried to tug her hand free. Her breath caught when Cam brought their joined hands to his mouth, licking and nibbling her knuckles like he was kissing her sex.


He flashed her a cocky grin. “See you at ten thirty.”


Cam’s cell phone rang right after he’d climbed into his patrol car. “McKay.”


“Is this Cam McKay? The war hero?”


He grinned. “Brock Tennyson, you bastard. Were your ears burning? Because I was just talking about you last night.”


“Yeah? I hope you were talking me up to that hot sister of yours, because, man-oh-man that cowgirl she has got it going on, whoo-ee.”


“Don’t make me hurt you after you saved my life. I will rip your arms outta the sockets and beat you with them if you lay so much as a single finger on Keely.”


Brock laughed. “You’re so easy to rile, McKay. So what’s up with you? Been busier than a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest?”


“You’re a f*ckin’ riot.”


“Admit it. You miss my humor. How goes the deputy job?”


“Great, most days. Better than chasing cattle, that’s for damn sure. What about you? It’s a little early to be calling about setting up our bi-annual hunting trip.”


“Actually, I apologize for giving you such late notice. I’m on my way to Seattle and I’ve got an extra day to burn, so I thought I’d stop off in Sundance, see if you’re gonna be around.”


“When?”


“Day after tomorrow.”


“I’ll be here. I’m scheduled off that day so if you wanna hit Colt’s fishin’ hole—”


“To be honest, I’d rather chill. Drink a couple of beers. Shoot the shit. Relax.”


The word relax wasn’t in Brock’s vocabulary. Cam’s alarm bells started ringing. “Is everything okay, B?”


“Yeah. No. Hell, some stuff I need to figure out, which is why I’m driving across country instead of flying.”


“You’re welcome to crash at my place for as long as you need.”


“Thanks. I appreciate it. Look forward to catching up.”


“Me too. Drive safe.”


“Will do.” Brock hung up.


Cam stared at the screen on his phone listing missed calls.


Besides Brock, his mother had called. Twice. That was it. Sad really, that his brothers and cousins weren’t ringing him up just to chat. Even Keely had given up calling him for the most part.


Can you blame them? You don’t exactly encourage that type of behavior with anyone in your family.


Big f*cking deal. Didn’t matter anyway.


He shut the phone off and returned to work.


Chapter Ten


Cleaning the grill was her least favorite part of shutting the restaurant down. Thank God she was done. Domini scoured the grease from her hands and fantasized about a hot sudsy shower. Right. Like that’d happen. She’d sent Cam upstairs to wait for her an hour ago. He’d had that look in his eye then and she expected cooling his boots had only increased his ardor.