My Southern Bride (The Texas Two-Step Series, Book 4) (18 page)

It must be something important, or Carolyn would have already been on her way. "Is there anything else you need?"

"I'm not sure about need, but there's something I'd like."

Lori grabbed a pen and paper, ready to take notes.

"You won't need that." Carolyn waved at the pen. "This is personal."

Oh. Carolyn never got personal. This should be good.

"It's about Monty Joe."

Or, it could be bad. Lori's heart squeezed. "What would you like?"

"I'd like to be assured there's nothing between you and Monty Joe. You don't have a romantic relationship."

"Why do you ask?"

"Remember homecoming?"

Lori nodded. Would Carolyn ever let her forget that the boy she wanted to go to homecoming with took Lori instead?

"I was so down my parents decided to do something to cheer me up. They took me to the rodeo. That's when I saw Monty Joe for the first time. He put all thoughts of that other boy out of my head." Carolyn looked down at her hands and stretched her fingers. "Since then I've measured every man I ever met against Monty Joe. Maybe he's more of a fantasy than a real man, but I've never known for sure. This might be my chance to find out."

Lori understood. How could any man measure up to a fantasy man? Carolyn had never stayed in any relationship longer than a few months, and this explained why.

Although Lori ached to tell Carolyn that Monty Joe belonged to her, it wouldn't be truthful. Hadn't she just been chewing over the fact Monty Joe wasn't into her?

The old Lori would have told Carolyn to back off, but the new Lori couldn't. "As much as I'd like there to be something between us, there isn't."

"So you won't mind if..."

Carolyn was seeking permission to go after Monty Joe.

Lori's throat closed up. She nodded, and finally managed to strangle out the words Carolyn wanted to hear. "Go for it."

Chapter 28

It had been only two days since Lori had left, and the ranch seemed dusty. Empty. Forlorn.

Now loneliness hovered around Monty Joe like a dark storm cloud.

Even Newton felt the lack of Lori's presence. He had settled at the bottom of the stairs, as if waiting for Lori to come bounding down them. The goat got up only when it was feeding time, and then all he wanted was to return to his post by the stairs.

The back door opened, and Monty Joe stilled. Maybe he'd conjured Lori up? Maybe she'd come back?

Will entered, and Monty Joe's shoulders drooped.

"How's that leg doing?" Will's smile was broad and inviting.

Hey, he was company. Someone to break up the monotony of pushing papers around his desk. "Better today. I think I can give up the cane."

"Great news." Will hefted his pant legs and took a seat on the sofa, across from Monty Joe's comfy chair. "Your mood any better?"

"There's nothing wrong with my mood."

"You coulda fooled me."

"Why are you here? Pete just checked in on me."

"About Pete." Will grimaced. "He said you were like a coyote with a burr in his paw. He didn't know if you were going to shoot him or cook him up for supper."

"I was perfectly pleasant with him."

"Before or after you invited him to run with the bulls?"

Hmm. Come to think of it, he had said something along those lines. "I've been cooped up here too long. Would your mood be any better?"

"We're not talking about me." Will rubbed his pant legs, as if buying time before saying whatever it was he'd come to say.

"Out with it."

"Fine." Will's gaze met his head on. "Weren't you supposed to visit your sister and brother?"

That had been his intention, before the storm. "I'd planned to."

"Maybe it's time, then, that's all."

Will was still holding out on him. "And?"

"Maybe there's a woman in Dallas you might want to look in on. Seeing as you'll be there already, visiting kin."

Yeah, like Lori would want to see him. Monty Joe glared at Will.

Will held up his hands. "It's time for you to look to settle down. Seems like Carolyn might fit the bill, is all."

"Carolyn?" She was the bossiest woman he'd ever run into. His life would never be the same. "What makes you'd think I'd want anything to do with her?"

"She grew up on a ranch." Will shrugged. "Just thinking."

"Think again."

"Then what about Lori?"

"What about her." There was no question in Monty Joe's tone. It was low and grumbly, and even he wondered if there was a threat in it.

"Fine." Will took to his feet. "Let me know if and when you're heading to Dallas. I'll have the hands look after your animals while you're gone."

The man would give him no peace until Monty Joe went to Dallas. To see his kin. No one else. "If my sister will have me, I'll leave in the morning."

Chapter 29

Monty Joe enjoyed visiting Charlie and Davis. Their ranch was on the cozy side, but that made spending time with them even more enjoyable because of the closeness.

When he'd called his sister, Charlie had seemed excited about seeing him, but he hadn't mentioned that he'd bring Newton with him.

The animal was in a sorry state, so he had to come, but even sisters had limits.

He didn't think she'd mind too much.

Newton sprawled listlessly beside Monty Joe in the passenger seat. He'd stopped once en route to Dallas to allow the animal to stretch his legs and drink some water. Now they were only minutes away from their destination.

Monty Joe turned onto the gravel road leading to the Murphy Ranch, rehearsing in his mind what he'd say to his sister, how he could explain the goat without having to mention Lori.

Charlie was perceptive. Too perceptive.

If he so much as brought up Lori's name, Charlie would see in a minute how the woman had Monty Joe hogtied like a steer at a roping event. He didn't want to go there.

Even before he'd parked his truck, Charlie dashed out of the house, squealing and calling his name.

He opened the door and his little sister threw herself into his arms.

"I've missed you so much."

For the first time in days, he let down his guard and enjoyed being with a family member—with someone who understood him and loved him regardless of what he might say or do. Families were like that.

"I've missed you, too, Charlie."

She peered over his shoulder. "Oh, I see you've brought your best friend in all the world with you."

"Couldn't leave him behind."

"I don't know if I should be mad or thrilled." She placed her fists on her hips in an attempt to look put out with him.

He grinned because she failed miserably.

"I've missed you too much to waste time being angry," she said at last.

"I knew you'd understand." Whew. It wasn't necessary to come up with an excuse about why he'd brought a goat along for the visit.

"Hey, there, Billy." Charlie reached inside the truck and held out her hand for the animal to sniff.

"His name's Newton, now." The words slipped out before he could think them over.

She shot him a look. "After the cookies?"

"Sir Isaac." If he didn't make a big deal about it, maybe there was still a chance she'd let it drop. He grabbed his duffle bag.

"O-kay. Bring your things inside, and then you can tell me just why your best friend's name has changed."

No such luck.

Half an hour later, they sat at the kitchen table, where Charlie was bribing him with freshly baked cookies.

"About the goat..."

"You're not going to let this drop."

"Give me one good reason why I should." Charlie nudged the platter of cookies closer to him. "Here's a dozen good reasons why you should tell Little Sis
everything
."

Monty Joe snatched a cookie and took a bite. Charlie had always made the best chocolate chip cookies, and this one was no different. Just enough crispiness, and just enough pecans and chocolaty goodness.

"Spill," she demanded.

Monty Joe motioned to his mouth and made a show of chewing the cookie.

Charlie crossed her arms. "Eventually you'll have to swallow."

She was right. Soggy cookies aren't nearly so good. He swallowed, then took a gulp from the glass of milk she'd placed in front of him. "Do I have a milk mustache?"

She laughed. "You're impossible."

He splayed his fingers. If he could consult anyone about Lori, it was his little sister. They'd been through thick and thin together, and she'd always had his best interests at heart.

"I'm in a bit of a pickle, Charlie."

"That sounds like a good start." She smiled encouragingly. "Go on."

"I wasn't snowed in alone during the storm."

Charlie nodded. "I spoke with Kelli. Lori was with you."

"Right."

"She's gone now, so what's the pickle?"

"That's the pickle. She's gone now."

Charlie glanced at the goat and then back at Monty Joe. "She renamed Billy?"

Monty Joe nodded.

"I see."

"I'm not sure if you do. I'd planned to ask her to stay for a couple more days, but then her boss arrived and whisked her off."

Charlie beamed at him. "I'm so glad you've finally found someone. Have you called her?"

He shook his head. "What is there to say? She's got her life here, and what inducement is there for her to return to the Nelson Ranch?"

"Have you told her how you feel?"

He scowled. He didn't know how he felt. The women he'd dated usually told
him
how he felt. "I'm not sure what to tell her."

"Seriously, big brother, if you wanted her to stay, you must have some clue about your feelings for her."

"I like her."

"I was under the impression that you seriously disliked her."

"Things change. People change." Lori had certainly changed in ways he'd never expected. "She pitched in and helped out when I hurt my ankle. She never complained, never expected anything from me in return."

And he'd never once felt lonely while she was there. Even when he'd had a house full of hired hands, he'd been lonely.

"How did her leaving make you feel?"

"Empty. Heavy." A lead weight anchored his stomach. "I've never felt this lonely before."

"Oh, you've got it bad."

"It?"

"Love sickness." Charlie cackled. "The famous Monty Joe Nelson has finally met his match."

Did he? Had he? He'd never felt like this before over any woman. And when he thought about his future, now Lori was in every fantasy of what life could be like. He sighed. "I suppose you're right. What do I do now?"

"You call her, ask her to dinner. Someplace with candlelight. Then you tell her how you feel without her in your life. Ask her if she feels the same way."