Deadly Desperados (12 page)

“I know exactly how you feel,” Jake said, his eyes shifting to Ally. “I’m probably going to propose relatively soon. I … I just need to get my courage up.”

“You might want to get a ring, too,” James said, unruffled by Jake’s admission.

“Yeah, I’m definitely going to want to get her a ring,” Jake agreed. “I don’t suppose I could borrow Mandy for that, could I? I want to make sure she has the ring of her dreams.”

“You can borrow her,” James said.

“She wouldn’t tell Ally, would she?”

“My wife has a huge mouth,” James said. “She can’t seem to close it when Ally is around. I would never trust her with the little things. That being said, Mandy wants Ally happy. She would never ruin a proposal surprise because she knows it’s something that can only be done once. On this, you can trust her.”

“I’m not doing it right this second,” Jake cautioned. “I need to get a few things in order first. I want to save up a little more money … and Ally has been talking about wanting a bigger house. That’s going to take months to save for.”

“I won’t tell Mandy what we talked about,” James promised. “When you’re ready you can tell her yourself.”

“You know I’m going to have to go up to Barker Creek and ask your dad’s permission, right?”

James stilled. “I never thought about that,” he said. “That’s one thing I missed out on when I proposed to Mandy. Her father was already dead.”

“Do you think he’ll give me permission?”

Jams snickered. “I think he’s going to give you a hard time,” he answered. “After that, though, I definitely think he’ll give you permission.”

“It’s kind of freaky to think about,” Jake admitted.

“It will feel that way until the first time you get to refer to her as ‘your wife,’” James said. “Once you say those words and they’re official, things will fall into place and you’ll wonder how you ever got by without saying them.”

“You’re feeling pretty schmaltzy today,” Jake said. “Is it Valentine’s Day, or is it Mandy’s reaction to what happened when the barn exploded?”

“It might be a combination of both,” James conceded. “Either way, I meant every word I just said to you. You’re going to be my brother-in-law one day. You’re already my brother.”

Jake swallowed hard, a surprising lump forming in his throat. “I … thank you.”

“Don’t mention it,” James said, moving toward Mandy’s horse. “Okay, get me on one of these things. I’m ready to ride my wife. I mean … er … I ready to ride
with
my wife.”

“We all know what you meant,” Ally said, giggling. “Come on, Jake! I’m ready to see you on a horse. I’ve always thought you would make a marvelous cowboy.”

“I’m coming, Angel,” Jake said. “I would never want to disappoint my favorite lady in the world.”

Jake realized he meant those words in more ways than one, but for now he was content to let them linger in the ether. Soon he would make both of their dreams come true. The realization should’ve terrified him. Instead, it settled him. He already knew she was his future, now he just had to get everything in order so he could prove it to her.

“This place is great,” Ally enthused, walking into the diner and glancing around. “It’s like it’s from the olden days.”

Jake smirked. “You might not want to say stuff like that so loudly, Angel,” he whispered, brushing a quick kiss against her cheek. “Some people might not take it the way you meant it.”

“It wasn’t an insult.”

“I know,” Jake said, tugging on her hand and leading her toward a booth in the center of the restaurant’s coffee parlor. “Some people might see it as one, though.”

Ally wisely zipped her mouth shut and smiled at the waitress as she approached. The name tag on her uniform read “Fern,” and the smile she flashed at the foursome as they got comfortable was almost blinding.

“Welcome to the Lakin Diner,” she said. “Can I offer you folks a refreshment?”

Mandy and James exchanged amused grins. Fern’s uniform literally looked like it was from the 1960s, and her hair looked like a remnant of the 1980s. There was still something charming about her.

“I’ll have an iced tea,” Ally said.

“Me, too,” Mandy chimed in.

“Make that four of them,” James said, grabbing a menu. “What’s good tonight, Fern?”

“Everything here is good, honey, especially the help,” Fern said, offering James a saucy wink.

“I guess we’ll take a moment to decide,” James said, fighting the urge to laugh as Mandy frowned. James waited until Fern was gone to call Mandy on her jealousy. “Are you worried about me checking out the help, baby?”

“I’m worried about you inhaling all that Aqua Net and choking to death,” Mandy snapped. “Why does every woman who ever waits on us fall for you?”

“I think it’s my looks.”

“We know it’s not his modesty,” Ally deadpanned, flipping the menu open. “Ooh, they have grits. I’ve always wanted to try grits.”

“I tried some the other night,” James teased, rubbing his nose against Mandy’s cheek to soften her up. “They were magnificent.”

“That’s not going to work,” Mandy said, jerking her head away. “I don’t like it when you flirt with waitresses.”

James’ eyebrows flew up his forehead. “When did I flirt with the waitress?”

“You haven’t yet, but I’m really looking forward to it,” Fern said, plopping four glasses on the table. “Are you ready to order?”

“Um, we’ve barely looked at the menu,” Jake said.

“I want grits,” Ally said. “What do they go with?”

Fern’s face was blank. “They’re grits, honey. They go with everything.”

“Ally, you’re not going to like grits,” Jake said, choosing his words carefully. Ally was the type of woman who would do something just to prove others wrong. Jake just didn’t want the “something” she tried tonight to be vomiting. “I … maybe try the home fries instead.”

Ally made a face. “How do you know what I will like?”

“Because I’ve been eating with you for almost a year now,” Jake replied. “You like pasta … and sandwiches … and you’ve got a weird fetish for Greek food. You’re not going to like grits, though.”

Ally ignored him and focused on Mandy. “Have you ever had grits?”

Mandy nodded.

“Did you like them?”

“They taste like really gross oatmeal, Ally,” Mandy replied honestly. “You’re not going to like them.”

“You don’t know what I like,” Ally said, jutting her lip out.

“I thought grits were a southern thing,” Mandy said.

“Grits are a thing for people who know what’s good to eat,” Fern countered, causing Mandy to scowl.

“You’re going to spit in my food, aren’t you?” Mandy asked.

“That’s not how we roll here,” Fern said. “What do you want?”

“I’ll have the country fried chicken and mashed potatoes,” Mandy said.

“I’ll have the same,” James said, gathering Mandy’s menu.

“Ally?” Jake asked, focusing on her.

“I want … .”

“She’s going to say grits,” James said.

“I want the hot beef sandwich with mashed potatoes,” Ally said finally, sticking her tongue out in James’ direction.

“That’s a good choice,” Fern said before turning to Jake. “What about you, handsome?”

“I’ll take the same thing she’s having,” Jake said, smiling at Ally, internally relieved she backed down on tasting the grits.

Once it was just the four of them Jake and James took the opportunity to study the clientele while Mandy and Ally stewed. Finally, James couldn’t take it any longer. “Ally, you can’t stand oatmeal and grits are worse than oatmeal,” he said. “Get over it.”

“I might like grits,” Ally argued, crossing her arms over her chest.

James rolled his eyes and turned to Mandy. “You need to get over it, too,” he said. “You married a handsome man. Women love me. It doesn’t matter, though, because I only love you.”

“Your ego is unbelievable,” Mandy said, although she couldn’t stop herself from laughing.

“I’m going to show you how big my ego is when we get back to the cabin tonight,” James promised. “I would appreciate it if you didn’t pout through dinner, though. We’ve had a great day. You got to ride a horse and didn’t fall off. I consider that a win.”

“Fine,” Mandy said, blowing out a huge sigh. “I’m sorry. I know you’re the king of the handsome people. I should be used to it. It just sucks when everyone looks at us and wonders why you settled for me.”

James scowled. “I hate it when you say things like that,” he said. “Do you have any idea how men look at you? The only reason they don’t approach is because I’m there. They’re afraid I’ll beat them … and rightly so. No offense, baby, but women aren’t afraid of you because you’re tiny. That’s all it is.”

“Can I have my Valentine’s Day gift early?”

Mandy’s conversational shift made James growl. “You just played me, didn’t you?”

“It depends,” Mandy said. “Can I have my gift tonight?”

“Yes.”

“I told you it would work,” Ally said, exchanging a mischievous smile with Mandy. “I don’t know why you ever doubt me. I know exactly how to play all of my brothers.”

“If I were you, I wouldn’t give her the gift,” Jake said. “You’re too much of a softie … and she knows it.”

James shrugged. “It doesn’t matter,” he said. “I got her two gifts. She can have one of them tonight.”

Mandy’s mouth dropped open. “You said we were only allowed to get each other one gift for Valentine’s Day because we broke the mall during Christmas,” she argued. “That’s not fair. I only got you one thing. I … .”

“Baby, the second gift is a little one,” James said. “It’s fine. I’m sure you can think of another gift to give me tonight.”

“Jake … .”

“You’re not getting your gift tonight, Ally,” Jake said, cutting his brunette off before she got a full head of steam. “I’m taking you on a picnic and giving it to you tomorrow. I already have the afternoon planned. I’m sorry.”

“Okay,” Ally said. “Will you give me a different sort of gift tonight?”

“Ugh, I’m going to be sick,” James muttered.

“I will definitely give you another gift tonight,” Jake conceded.

“And I told you
that
would work,” Mandy said, earning a tickle from James as she giggled.

“You hens need to stop being so manipulative,” James said, slinging an arm over Mandy’s shoulders. “You should know by now that we’d probably give you whatever you want if you came out and asked for it.”

“Yes, but that would cut down on our fun,” Ally said. “I … .” She broke off as Fern approached with a small bowl. “What’s that?”

“It’s grits,” Fern replied, nonplussed. “I didn’t want you to let your family talk you out of trying them.”

“Oh, thank you,” Ally said, accepting the bowl with a tight smile. She hadn’t really wanted the grits. Now she was stuck.

“Eat them,” Mandy prodded. “You’re convinced you’ll like them. You should be happy about this. It will prove you right.”

“Don’t eat enough to throw up,” Jake instructed. “I have plans for you later.”

“Eat the whole bowl,” James ordered, scorching Jake an antagonistic look.

With everyone watching, Ally had no choice but to dig in. She spooned some of the lumpy offering into her mouth, rolling it around her tongue before finally swallowing.

“Well?” Fern asked.

“It’s gross,” Ally said, pushing the bowl away. “Thank you for letting me try some, though.”

“I told you,” Mandy said.

“Well, when you’re right, you’re right,” Ally said. “Come to the bathroom with me.”

“Why are you hens going to the bathroom together?” James asked suspiciously.

“Don’t worry about it,” Ally muttered hopping to her feet. “We’ll be back in a second.”

“I only have two Valentine’s Day gifts, baby,” James said. “You can’t manipulate another one out of me.”

“I would never do anything of the sort,” Mandy scoffed. “Frankly, I’m sad you even think that about me.”

“Don’t get lost,” Jake called to them. “If you’re gone for more than five minutes, we’re going to come looking.” With one distraction out of the way, Jake shifted his attention to Fern. “So, are you local?”

“Born and bred,” Fern said, gathering Ally’s discarded bowl. “I thought for sure she would like grits.”

“We’re from Michigan,” James explained. “Our food is more … regional.”

Fern arched an eyebrow. “Meaning?”

“Meaning that we eat Coneys, chili fries, and Lebanese food whenever we can.”

“
That
sounds gross,” Fern said.

James shrugged. “So, Fern, we’re staying out at the Harrison farm,” he said, hoping that waitresses in Kansas were like waitresses in Michigan and privy to town gossip more than most denizens. “A local land developer has been trying to buy the farm, and I’m wondering if you know anything about him.”

“Do you mean Mark Nixon?”

James nodded.

“I’ve met him,” Fern said. “He’s a real piece of work … and his wife is a lush.”

Jake arched an eyebrow. To his knowledge, Nadine only had one drink the previous night. That was hardly the stuff of lush territory. “How do you know that?”

“There’s only one bar in town, honey,” Fern said. “Everything in Lakin closes down before ten except for the bar. Nadine is in there almost every night when I get off my shift.”

“That’s interesting,” James said. “She only had the one martini last night.”

“Maybe Mark monitors her alcohol intake when he’s around,” Jake suggested. “How many times have you seen Nadine in the bar?”

“Well, they’ve been in town about three weeks now,” Fern replied. “They were big news when they showed up because they were dropped off in a limo.”

“That doesn’t surprise me,” James said. “Mark is an ostentatious prick if I ever saw one.”

“You’ve got a fresh mouth, honey,” Fern said. “I like it.”

James smiled. “Thank you. My wife likes it, too.”

“The feisty blonde with the bad attitude?”

“She’s just … out of her element here,” James said, making excuses. “She thought you were flirting with me.”

“I
was
flirting with you,” Fern said. “Don’t take it personally, though. I flirt with all the men. It doesn’t matter what they look like. If you stroke a man’s ego he’ll leave you a bigger tip.”

Jake snorted. “I can see that,” he said. “Back to Nadine, though. How many times is she in the bar a week?”

“I’d say she’s there at least three or four nights,” Fern replied. “In fact, she’s been there the last three or four nights in a row. She seems real depressed.”

“It’s because she’s married to a jackass,” Jake said.

“It’s more than that,” Fern said. “Since getting to town, Mark Nixon has worked his way through both town sluts and is now trying to go for anyone else who will even look his way. He doesn’t care if they’re married. He doesn’t care if they’re old enough to drink either. He’s slimy.”

“I can’t believe he’s actually taking these women out where people can see,” James mused. “In a town this size, he has to know that everyone will talk behind his back. I knew he was a pervert after the way he looked at Ally and Mandy last night, but to be so open about it … .”

“It’s despicable,” Fern agreed.

“Have you heard any other rumors about him?” Jake asked.

Fern shook her head. “As far as I know he just likes to walk around town boasting about how much money he is worth,” she said. “He’s desperate for people to think he’s a somebody. That makes me think he spent most of his life as a nobody.”

Jake couldn’t argue with that. He’d been thinking the same thing. “Do you know where they’re staying?”

“There’s only one motel in town, and I don’t think it’s up to his refined standards,” Fern replied. “All he does is complain about it. It’s the Peacock Inn, out on the main highway.”

“Yeah, I know where it’s at,” Jake said.

“I do know that he and his wife have separate rooms because the maid there, her name is Jolene and she’s got fake boobs, told me the other night that she had to clean both of their rooms every day,” Fern said.