Page 23 of The Desperate Warrior

“Well, if it does, I guess I’ll just get wet,” Nikki countered. “What is it I’ve heard Uncle Clayton say? If you don’t like the weather in Texas, wait a few minutes.”

“That’s the truth,” Jules chuckled. Most of the time. The last couple of days had been dreary, and it didn’t seem to be letting up anytime soon.

Nikki puffed a long, put-out breath. “I still wish you’d reconsider and go to the rodeo at the Stockyards. It’s indoors.”

“Like I didn’t know that.” She cut her eyes at Nikki. “I grew up here, remember?”

“Well, smarty pants, since you’re being such a crabby patty, I’d might as well break the news.”

She eyed Nikki warily. “What news?”

A bright smile wound over Nikki’s lips. “I signed us up for a Mediterranean cooking class.”

Jules’s jaw hit the floor. “You what?”

“Yup,” Nikki said, casually like it was no big deal. “Starts next Wednesday.”

“Nikki, no. I’m going back to work next Monday. That won’t be necessary.”

“There’s more to life than work,” Nikki stated firmly. “You need something extra to get you out of this funk.” She flashed a wicked grin. “You’ll thank me later.”

“Don’t count on it,” Jules retorted.

Nikki was still looking out the window. Her voice lifted with sudden excitement. “Oh my goodness—who in the heck is that eye candy across the street?”

Jules made a face. “What?”

“The house across the street. It’s been for sale, right? I remember seeing a sign when I first got here.”

“Uh-huh. Been vacant for months.”

“Well, it looks like someone just bought it.”

“Really?”

Nikki leaned closer to the glass. “Yep, and he looks good,” she drawled. “Real good. Things are certainly looking up in your neighborhood. Maybe I’ll have to mosey over there and bring some cookies as a housewarming gift.”

“Since when do you bake cookies?”

“Who said I was gonna bake them? That’s what grocery stores are for.”

“You’re impossible,” Jules groaned.

She motioned Jules over by wagging her hand. “Come over here. You’ve got to see this.”

The last thing Jules wanted to do was gawk at some guy across the street.

“Come on,” Nikki urged. “Just take one look. It’ll brighten your evening. Trust me,” she chimed.

With a heavy sigh, Jules grabbed her crutch. Propping it under her arm, she heaved herself up, wincing at the tenderness in her shoulder and ribcage. “This had better be worth it,” she muttered. Grabbing the other crutch, she hobbled over to the window. She looked and then looked again.

It couldn’t be.

“What the heck?” she growled.

Nikki turned to her with wide eyes. “You don’t like having a good-looking guy living across the street?” A hopeful smile curved her lips. “Maybe he’s single.”

Jules gritted her teeth. “You just wait. I’m gonna have a nice little talk with my dad.”

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