Page 91 of Nashville Cowboy
“Thank you for caring. It makes me feel alive.” She realized it sounded sarcastic, but she did mean it on some level. “Why are you here, anyway?”
Hank rolled his eyes. “Came to check in on you. Knew you’d probably canceled. I thought Daisy was supposed to take you and she’s over at the ranch now helpin’ out.”
Lillian tossed her hands up. “Withthat Wade? Oh good Lord. Son, you have to keep those two apart.”
“Huh? Why?”
“I should get back to work,” Brenda said, and waved goodbye to them both.
After Brenda had gone, Lillian turned to Hank. “Honestly, Hank. It wasn’tDaisytaking me to the doctor. It was Jackson. I’m surprised you don’t remember that.”
“Oh, right. Forgot.”
Forgetting to be annoyed with him, Lillian felt a fresh tug of affection for her only son. At fifty-six, he was still such a strapping lad. Tall, built, full head of silver hair just like his daddy’s. He’d done the best he could after Maggie left him with three young children. It had been natural to be angry when he’d given up so much to make her happy. Including possibly the only woman he’d never loved.
But he’d never given up on his children, or the ranch. He was indeed his father’s son.
“Come inside, sugar. I’ve got a slice of apple pie for you.”
Eve and Annabethwere having a slow day. No large animal calls for Eve. Their office days usually fit a pattern of feast or famine. But it was a good time to review and do some planning. The business part of being a vet was overwhelming at times for Eve. Annabeth was much better at it. She both understood and enjoyed accounting ledgers and spreadsheets. She’d created a five-year plan at the end of which they should be completely in the black. Then they could afford to hire a full-time receptionist and some admin help.
When it was time for lunch, Annabeth was elbow deep into next year’s budget, so Eve offered to walk over to the Shady Grind for burgers and fries to go. She and Annabeth would eat at their desks.
“Hey, Priscilla,” Eve said. “Can I get two Shady Burgers and fries to go?”
“Sure, darlin’. I’ll go put the order in,” Priscilla said, and walked through the double doors to the kitchen.
Eve chatted with a few of the locals about the crazy Texas weather. A few months ago, a tornado had ripped through a small town southeast of here and practically taken every business establishment and most homes with it. There had never been a tornado through Stone Ridge, as they usually passed right over, but they’d had plenty of thunderstorms and ice storms.
Priscilla was back within seconds. “It should just be a jiffy for those burgers. Jackson was just in here couple nights ago. Good catchin’ up with that boy. I’m trying to talk him into buyin’ the Shady Grind.” Priscilla gave the bar a wipe. “He said he didn’t think it was right for him. But I think it’s worth thinking about. He could do what he wants with the place. Maybe turn it into a good old-fashioned honky-tonk. Put in a good word for me, yeah?”
“Of course, I will,” Eve said. “But I think everyone forgets that Jackson does what he wants, not what I ask him to do.”
“You have more pull than most,” Priscilla said. “Either way, I’m sellin’ the place and retiring.”
“Oh no. The place won’t be the same without you.”
As long as Eve could remember, Priscilla had lived here. A tough single mother who’d raised three boys and one daughter, who had all moved out of the area. She’d never married again after her rancher husband died and left her with a ton of bills to pay.
When Eve’s orders were up, she paid and started the short walk back to the office. There was a small commotion at the General Store, and Eve looked over to see Winona, surrounded by men, signing autographs and posing for selfies. Eve’s gut tightened, because no matter what Jackson had said about Winona getting older and insecure about her looks, the woman was drop-dead gorgeous, whether or not she was nearly forty.
Eve still didn’t know what Winona was doing in Stone Ridge, but Jackson had assured her it had nothing to do with him. Last night she’d forgotten to ask him what Winona had wanted to talk to him about but assumed it had to do with music. Eve walked faster to the office, hoping no one would notice her. She was a little bit embarrassed by her temper on the day of Winona’s arrival and hated for her to know that she’d rattled Eve.
“There’s a bit of a commotion,” Eve said, dropping the food on the desk where Annabeth sat, riveted to a profit/loss statement. “Winona James is out there, and she’s got every man’s attention.”
“Winona James?” Annabeth glanced up, her eyes wide. “TheWinona James?”
“You like her?”
“She’s Nashville royalty. I love her music, but I haven’t heard anything from her in a while. You know I can’t stand country music, but I love the twist she puts in her songs. She’s more indie inspired. Used to play a lot in Austin. All her songs are angsty. Nasty. You cheated on me, watch me key your precious truck. Iloveit.”
“Um, okay…”
“C’mon, Eve, you really do need to listen to other people’s music. Jackson Carver isn’t theonlyone who can sing.”
Just the best, but Eve wasn’t in the mood to argue. She shrugged. “She was married to Jackson for about a minute.”
Annabeth cocked her head. “And how do you feel about that?”
