Page 7 of Tied to Trouble

“No matchmaking, Mom, I’ll find my own boyfriends, thank you. Besides, Az is like a brother.” Her thoughts flashed to the kisses they had shared, the mental image mocking her.

Sara smiled dryly. “Is that why you were kissing him in the stockroom? Because he’s so brotherly?”

Mandy blushed slightly, then grinned, unrepentant. “Grams never could keep a secret, could she? I bet she couldn’t wait to get on the telephone and spill the beans.”

“She called me as soon as you left for Genetico,” her mother replied, chuckling.

“It’s no wonder I’m still a virgin,” Mandy complained with an exaggerated sigh. “Between Az and Grams, I never had a chance.”

“Mandy!” Sara laughed outright. “You’re as blunt as your father always was.”

“Speaking of boyfriends, when are you and Randy Berenger going to commit?” Mandy asked. She studied her mother with a broad grin. Sara had never remarried after the accident that had taken Mandy’s father away from them and left her mom in a wheelchair. Although she was just going on forty-five, her mom looked as young as she ever had.

Mandy had just turned fourteen that year, and it was still a painful memory for both of them. But as an adult, she would be happy to see her mom settled with someone who loved her. Of course, being in a wheelchair tended to put a lot of men off.

Before she could reply, Sara’s cellphone rang, its sudden shrill tones sounding loud in the room. She picked it up from the small platform attached to her wheelchair. A frown marred her brow as she listened. She spoke a few noncommittal words and then hung up.

“Who was that?” Mandy asked curiously.

“That was Randy,” Sara replied in a troubled tone. “Two more of his cows have gone missing.”

***

MANDY WAS LATE GETTINGto The Lazy Saddle that night. Sam met her at the door with an impatient glance at his watch.

“Where have you been? I’ve been waiting for an hour for you to show up.”

The parking lot was packed and the musical strains of Garth Brooks drifted out the door. The flashing neon saddle with a rodeo cowboy outlined in blue stars flashed in and out in various rhythms to imitate a bucking bronc and its rider in motion.

“I’m here now, aren’t I?” Mandy brushed aside her irritation with his possessiveness and entered the saloon, headed for the booth she usually liked. Her eyes searched the bar and dance floor looking for Az. Normally, she would have been flattered at Sam’s words, but her feelings had changed since this afternoon.

“At least you’re here now,” Sam replied. Still looking disgruntled, he trailed along behind her.

Disappointment at not seeing Az’s broad figure made the evening feel flat, but Mandy allowed Sam to seat her in the booth. Lifting her chin, she determined to make the best of it.

Az usually came to the Lazy Saddle on Fridays when he was in town, so she’d dressed with extra care tonight, wanting to impress him and wash away the image of being a little sister. She didn’t feel like his little sister anymore.

Sam took a seat beside her, his arm stealing possessively around the back of her shoulders. “Would you like a drink?” He eyed her appreciatively, his gaze skimming the tanned curves between the gaping buttons of the blue plaid shirt. Mandy had left the shirt unbuttoned three buttons down, with just a matching solid blue spaghetti strap tank that barely came to the top of her breasts. It was provocative, meant to be teasing, and Sam certainly seemed to appreciate it.

“Did you dress just for me tonight?” His lips grazed her ear as he spoke.

“Yes, I’d like a drink—and no—I didn’t dress just for you,” Mandy teased, a wicked grin curving her lips. “For you, I’d need to plan on something easier to get out of.”

She laughed when his eyebrow shot up. It was fun to tease Sam, although she probably shouldn’t, not given the way he’d acted this afternoon. But Mandy was feeling let down at Az’s absence. After the kiss they had shared this afternoon, she’d been sure he would be here tonight.

After three Mojitos and a few dances, Mandy was feeling decidedly bolder. Especially since she hadn’t eaten anything except a few french fries. Her burger was untouched.

“You going to eat that?” Sam asked, gesturing to the cheeseburger on her plate.

“No, you can have it.”

While Sam was eating her cheeseburger, she kept glancing at her watch and checking the bar until she decided Az wasn’t coming. The entire night was officially flat and boring.

To hell with Az.

He’d stayed away so she wouldn’t get any ideas about this afternoon. This was his way of saying she was just his kid sister, nothing more. But even as his kid sister, you would have thought he’d be here to protect her, she thought peevishly.

She wasn’t drunk, but she was feeling just good enough that she might go home with Sam. After all, who wants to be a virgin forever? Sam was looking pretty good about now as he signaled the waiter with a huge grin. Her laughter was a bit brittle as she joked and teased with him, but he didn’t seem to care. At least he was here. And he was attentive—something Az was not.

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