Page 51 of A Cowboy to Call Her Own

Asher was busy. As was Kelley. Sure, he was on her mind, but that hardly meant anything. Kelley frowned at her little sister. “It’s not about a—”

“Careful, big sis.” Frannie’s joyful burst of laughter cut Kelley off. “I do believe you just might be protesting a bit too much.”

Kelley snapped her mouth closed and watched the door swing shut behind her sister. She peered at Hayes and said, “I can be in a good mood. Wear a cowboy hat. And want to enjoy my summer days without it being about a cowboy.”

Hayes hummed and nodded, then a grin appeared. “But there is a new spark to your cooking that’s been missing. And that does make it about a cowboy.”

Kelley dipped her head and concentrated on mixing up more salad dressing. True, she was feeling more inspired in the kitchen than she had in a long while. Ever since Asher encouraged her to ride Maple Moonlight earlier in the week. It seemed she’d rediscovered more than her childhood passion for horseback riding that evening.

It was as if facing one fear centered her and lifted her spirits. She was ready to do rather than just consider what was next. To finally hit Submit on those résumés. To reach out to colleagues on the west coast and find that culinary hot spot where she could make her mark.

It seemed she had a cowboy to thank.

The back door opened. Sunlight streamed in. Anticipation wove through Kelley. But the newcomer was not Asher. Instead, Pauline breezed in; her long white sundress floated around her tall, dark brown cowboy boots. And hot on her boss’s trail was none other than Eric Grahame, the owner of Lucky Lane Tavern. Kelley refused to be disappointed. With her good cheer in place she greeted the new arrivals.

A quick hug and air kiss for Hayes, then Pauline followed Kelley into the small office and said, “Kelley, please tell Eric why we can’t stay here. Why we need to stretch our wings and leave town for good.”

If Kelley wanted to prove she was as good as her ex-husband, she needed a bigger culinary stage. Moving out of Gold Finch made practical career sense. Still, Kelley felt the sudden urge to argue and countered with, “Why can’t we stay here again?”

Eric leaned against the doorway to the office. A small smile filtered across the bar owner’s weathered yet distinguished face.

“Because…” Pauline said and wrapped her fingers around the amethyst heart pendant on her silver necklace as if grounding herself. “We must leave because we are following Mama T’s advice like she would have wanted us to.”

Kelley would have agreed not a month ago. It was always about leaving. Yet, now there was something about staying that was not quite as easy to dismiss.

Eric pushed his cowboy hat higher on his forehead, eyed Pauline and said, “Your mother wanted you both to be happy.”

Kelley opened the closet and took out several stacks of napkins to refill the holders before the lunch rush and considered how to maneuver around the pair. They were in a face-off and blocking Kelley’s exit.

“Mama T wanted Kelley and me to be deliriously happy.” Pauline repeated, “Deliriously.” Although she sounded anything but at the moment.

Kelley did not know about the delirious part. That might be pushing it. But recently, she was happy. More so than she had been in a long while. Kelley found herself looking forward to being in the kitchen and yet she was just as eager to step out again, especially if it meant time with her cowboy. Not that she was making this about Asher. Kelley tried to sound helpful and upbeat. “Hey, I want everyone to be happy, too.”

“Never mind.” Pauline’s lips were pursed and her words were low. “We’re getting off point.”

“What is the point?” Eric asked, patiently.

“I’m selling the diner,” Pauline said, her words clipped. “Once that happens, Kelley and I won’t have any reason to stay.”

Eric turned toward Kelley and said smoothly, “Kelley, I’m offering you a job at Lucky Lane. I could use someone with your culinary talent at the tavern.”

Kelley blanched. He wasn’t serious, was he? She was flattered of course. Not that she was seriously entertaining the idea, was she?

Pauline set her hands on her hips and stood her ground. “Eric, what are you doing?”

“I’m giving Kelley a reason to stay in town.” Eric’s smile remained in place yet there was something of a challenge in his gaze as if he had all day and was more than prepared to counter every one of Pauline’s arguments.

“You can’t just hire my best employee.” Pauline’s foot tapped a noisy beat on the tile floor.

“I just did. Now you both have a reason not to go. Kelley has another job. Thanks to me,” Eric said, a soft smile on his face. His amusement and affection were clear. “And you, Pauline, have—”

“Don’t say it.” Pauline’s mouth quirked up on one side. Her focus never strayed from the bar owner.

Kelley would have sworn she’d seen sparks fairly flash between the pair.

“My sister doesn’t need to work at the tavern.” That no-nonsense comment came from Laura-Beth. Kelley’s big sister squeezed her way around the tall bar owner and popped into the cramped office like Kelley’s protector. Laura-Beth smoothed her hand over her slicked-back ponytail, then down over her fitted sundress as if to ensure all was in order. “What with all the locals asking about Kelley’s catering services, I could have her calendar filled in no time.”

“I’ve had similar inquiries,” Pauline said and frowned.