Page 27 of Texas Daze (Texas Montgomery Mavericks)

Grisham beat her to work by ten minutes but they’d both come to the same conclusion. Only work that had to be done today outside would be. The cows had plenty of pasture. The horses too. So, after turning out the horses, except Princess and Duchess, Marti gave herself a day off, something she hadn’t done inmonths.

Down time isn’t something cattle ranchers get often. Marti was accustomed to doing, not sitting. By nine, she’d cleaned the house, done the laundry and was seriously considering polishing her mother’s silver pieces. Instead, she made a hair appointment at Kathy’s Kut and Kurl followed by lunch with Delene and Tina. Horrible name for a beauty shop but Kathy Branford was an artist when it came to hair. She hadn’t had a trim in months, and sadly, her hairshowedit.

The Lonestar Grill was crowded when Marti arrived. Parking was at a premium, but she lucked into a spot by grabbing it the second another car backed out. As soon as she walked in, Delene stuck two fingers between her lips and whistled to get Marti’s attention. She laughed and headed to a table neartherear.

“Sorry I’m late,” Marti said, sliding into the booth. “You know how slow and picky Kathycanbe.”

“Maybe a diva, but she does great work. Let me see the back,”Tinasaid.

Marti twisted around in thechair.

“Oh, I like,”Delenesaid.

“Agreed,”saidTina.

Marti turned back to the table. “I’m starved. What are youhaving?”

Drinks and salad orders placed, the three women leaned into the table togossip.

“I’ve got all afternoon,” Marti began. “I want to know what’s happening withyoutwo.”

“Nothing,” said Tina. “Haven’t had a date in a month. Chad dumped me for some slutty blonde and my mother wants to start carrying bridal gowns in the store. That’s it. I’m done.Who’snext?”

“Chad dumped you?” Delene said. “I just saw you with him twodaysago.”

Marti decided now would be a great time to drink some water and not mention that Chad had asked her out. Seeing how distressed Tina looked, she was glad she’d turned him down. She really hadn’t realized there was muchbetweenthem.

“Two days ago? Oh yeah. I was returning his mother’s glass cooking dish he’d left at myhouse.”

“Sorry to hear about that,” Marti said. “I guess I missed that you two were thatinvolved.”

Tina sighed. “We weren’t. Not really. I’m just having a pity party for myself.” She sighed again. “Why can’t we get some new guysintown?”

“We do,” Delene said. “Dr. Hottie.” She pointed her finger at Marti. “Now tell all. I want to hear all about him. Whatahunk.”

“I’ve heard about Dr. Boone,” Tina said. “I ordered new scrubs for a number of the nurses at the hospital and they came last week to pick their orders. All of them were blah blah blahing about this guy. What’s thestory?”

“He’s cute. He’s nice. He’s a great kisser,”Martisaid.

“And don’t look now, but he’s walking in the door,” Delene said. “With some hot-looking chick,” sheadded.

Marti turned towardthedoor.

“I said don’t look,” Delenehissed.

Marti rotated back to the table. “Fine. What’s he doing? Did heseeme?”

“He’s, um, headedthisway.”

Marti straightened her shoulders and licked her lips, ready forbattle.

“Marti?” Eli’s deep voice flipped hergutover.

Marti twisted in her chair until she could look up. “Oh, hi, Eli. Fancy meetingyouhere.”

He chuckled. “I could say the same. Got away from the ranch on aFriday?”

Marti gestured toward the door. “Pouring rain. Pedro and Grisham have everything under control.” She had to bite her tongue to keep from asking who the female withhimwas.

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