Page 72 of The Cowboy's Unshakeable Love

He smiled back at her and said, “And for me.”

Jamie’s eyes narrowed. “I see. Well, I won’t hold you up. The sooner you give your notice, the sooner you can move on to whatever comes next for you. I’m sure some of the girls will miss you.”

Travis clenched his jaw.Someof the girls? He knew Jamie was trying to make a point, but he didn’t know what it was.

Retta gave a fake smile of her own, and her accent was more pronounced than usual when she said, “Well, bless your heart. I’ll miss them all, and I know some of the parents will miss me, too.”

He had no idea why Jamie turned bright red and turned and tottered away.

“What the hell was that all about?” he asked as they watched her climb into a red Mercedes and screech the tires as she pulled away.

Retta gave him a shame-faced smile. “I couldn’t help giving back a little of what she was dishing out.”

“I’m not tracking, darlin’. You’re going to have to help me out.”

“When she said she’s sure thatsomeof the girls will miss me, what she really meant was that not all of them will.”

He frowned. “You think so?”

She laughed. “I know so. We speak our own language, and we know what every word means – and it’s not usually the way it sounds.”

“So, what did you mean when you said some of the parents will miss you? That you know she won’t?”

“Yes, that and …” She dropped her gaze. “I shouldn’t have said it. I wouldn’t have if I was going to stick around here for more than a day or two. I was playing on the fact that she thinks her husband – soon-to-be-ex-husband – talked to me too much.”

Travis scowled, and she patted his cheek.

“Don’t look like that. It’s all in her head. Marty’s a nice enough guy, but he’s not interested in me. He’s interested in his daughter’s activities. He didn’t get involved while he and Jamie were still together because she likes to take charge and … well, she’s not much fun for any of us to be around. I can’t imagine what it must’ve been like to be married to her.”

Travis was still scowling. “But you deliberately gave her the impression that you think her husband will miss you?”

She blew out a sigh. “Kind of. I didn’t mean it. I just couldn’t resist having a little dig.” She held his gaze. “Are you mad at me?”

He chuckled. “Nah. I’m a bit surprised that you have a sting in your tail like that.”

“I don’t normally, but there comes a point when you just have to take the gloves off, you know?”

“I do. I just don’t think I’ve ever seen gloves come off so politely before. I mean, if you just listened to the words, it’d sound like the two of you were being nice to each other.”

She laughed. “I take it you haven’t spent much time in the South?”

“Nope.”

“That’s just how we are.”

He shook his head with a smile. “So, if ever you saybless your heartto me, I should be worried?”

“Not necessarily. If you need to worry, you’ll know by the tone.”

“Okay. I’m glad I asked.” He set her down in the wheelchair. “Are you sure we need to take your letter inside? We could just mail it.”

“It’s fine, sugar. You don’t need to worry. I don’t expect to have a run in with anyone except Jamie.”

He laughed. “Did you just call me sugar?”

She laughed with him. “I sure did, cupcake.”

“Hm, I think I might like this. Your accent got stronger as soon as you started talking to Jamie and now I get my own nickname?”

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