Page 76 of A Cowboy to Call Her Own

“A summer Friday night date night on the patio,” Frannie chimed in.

“I like that,” Pauline said. “A special summertime event with a special menu curated by Kelley.”

Her own menu at the diner. That intrigued her. Kelley lowered her feet to the floor and sat up straighter. Even more, she felt her excitement begin to stir. However, the idea of her own menu was just the beginning. Kelley cleared her throat and decided to stop standing still and jump in. “Pauline, I’ve got an offer for you, too.”

“I’m happy to be your travel companion, Kelley, but my home base is here now,” Pauline said, with conviction.

“As it should be,” Kelley replied. “You are engaged now and from the sounds of things soon to be married.”

“There’s no need for a long engagement.” Pauline chuckled and a blush filled her cheeks. “Why wait when we both know what we want?”

Why wait, indeed. Kelley nodded, stepped out her own holding pattern.

“I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you first.” Pauline reached across the table and touched Kelley’s arm. “I seem to have ruined our plans to fly the coop.”

Kelley had not been in much of a mood to take off. And she was starting to realize why. What she really wanted she already had right here in Gold Finch. “I’m thinking more of a business proposal kind of offer.”

Frannie’s eyes widened and she pressed her lips together as if to hold back her smile.

“I’m intrigued,” Pauline said and tapped her ear. “And I’m listening. Give it to me.”

“I want to be partners in the Galloping Fork.” And since it was her one shot and her one chance, Kelley went all in. “With full control of the menu and the kitchen.”

“No,” Pauline said, swiftly and succinctly. Her head shook back and forth.

Frannie stiffened beside Kelley and opened her mouth.

Kelley took her sister’s hand under the table and silently encouraged Frannie not to speak. Frannie squeezed Kelley’s hand harder as if shouting at Kelley to say something. Finally, Kelley exhaled around her disappointment and asked, “Why not?”

“Because I want you to buy the Galloping Fork.” Pauline grinned and spread her arms wide. “I want you to own this place. Same as Mama T owned it. If it’s wholly yours, you will love it like Mama T did, and you and the diner both will surely thrive.”

Frannie was nodding vigorously.

Kelley released her sister’s hand and touched her forehead. She said, hesitantly and not without a dose of deep discontent, “Unfortunately, I don’t have the funds.” And she was not certain she could afford a loan of that size, either.

Pauline held up her hand. “Just tell me you want to buy this place. That you want to own the Galloping Fork.”

“I do,” Kelley said. The words settled true and sure inside her. The Galloping Fork Diner in Gold Finch was where she wanted to stake her claim and make her mark.

“Then we can work out the details like how much and when to pay with the rest of the paperwork,” Pauline said, cheerfully. “We can come up with a fair deal. Something that benefits us both.”

Kelley grinned. “Yes, we can. We will.”

Frannie whooped beside Kelley and said, “Best night ever. My big sister is sticking around. Pauline is head over boots in love. There’s so much to be excited about.”

Kelley was getting everything she wanted. That joy she had been pining for simmered. Yes, she had everything, but not everyone. And she sensed she needed someone, if she wanted that joy to overflow. She reached over and took Pauline’s hand to better see her stunning engagement ring. “Pauline, what happened? How did you fall in love?”

“Simple.” Pauline squeezed Kelley’s fingers and drew Kelley’s gaze up to her. “I finally let my heart fly free. I realized that was what Mama T really wanted.”

Kelley sat back and touched her chest.

“Mama T wanted us to give our hearts to something—or someone—completely and fully,” Pauline explained. “That’s where the happiness truly lies.”

Frannie bumped her shoulder against Kelley’s. “Kelley already gave her heart to Asher.”

“But he didn’t give me his,” she countered.

“Because you gave him your heart, but held on to the key,” Pauline said and arched her eyebrows at Kelley. “Your cowboy is still locked out.”