Page 29 of Cowboys at Coconuts

Cole sipped his coffee. “I think I’ll surprise you.”

“What else do you do for fun around here?”

Cole laughed. “You’ll probably think it’s corny, but I love old barns and country roads. I could spend a day in an old barn, sittin’ on a bale of hay, chewin’ on a piece of straw, and thinkin’ about the history of the place.” He paused. “I like thinkin’ about the memories and hard times my ancestors had. I bet you’ve never done that in the big city.”

Giggling, she said, “I’ve never been in a barn, nor sat on a hay bale.”

“We must correct that.” Cole reached for her hand. “I’d be happy to introduce you to a slower way of life. What day is good?”

After dealing with the issues at Fifth Avenue Catering—something she wasn’t about to mention since it would blow her cover—Cheri said, “Any day is good.” Oblivious to every other patron in the bar, Cheri couldn’t tear her eyes away from Cole’s tight Wrangler jeans and oval belt buckle. Chuckling to herself, she tried to imagine Sebastian wearing them. Nope. Not a chance.

Cole reached for a menu. “I’m starvin.’ You hungry?”

Chapter 27

Mystified, and annoyed by Larry’s lack of recall, Hope’s mind went into overdrive.Maybe I shouldn’t tell him everything beforehand. Maybe if he sees Montana in person the shock of hearing her voice will jog his memory. Maybe, just maybe, everything will come flooding back.

“Will you meet me in my office later this afternoon?” Hope’s eyes pleaded with his. “Please.”

Larry-Mac shrugged. “Okay. Gotta mop a floor in the men’s restrooms. Those boys can’t seem to hit the stool.” He chuckled. “I think they’re havin’ pissin’ contests.”

Hope laughed. “That might be TMI. Take your time. I don’t have any students for another hour.”

While she waited for Larry-Mac to take a break, Hope trekked to the teachers’ lounge for some wretched coffee. On the way, she spotted the skinny, long-haired janitor from behind squirting glass cleaner on a trophy case.He never worked this hard when he was my dad. Not even close.

Watching him in action made her heart both sink and swell, seemingly at the same time. She couldn’t explain her feelings, even to herself. The fact that Larry still didn’t seem to remember her, the train accident, and most of all his wife, Montana lying in a nursing home, made the potential marriage situation with Willow awkward and prickly at best, not to mention illegal at worst. No high school counseling course had prepared Hope to handle this dilemma.I’m going to forge ahead. Whatever happens, happens.

After glugging some black-tar coffee, Hope stepped through the shiny, polished hallway, thanks to the janitor’s hard work. Forcing a smile, she greeted students as they rushed to class. Between “hellos,” “great play” and clanging lockers, she traipsed back to her office. Staring at student file folders, she pushed them to the edge of her desk and turned to her computer but it was useless. She couldn’t concentrate until Larry-Mac agreed to go with her.

While doodling on a yellow legal pad, her road trip strategy became clearer. Sipping the last of her now-cold coffee, Hope made a decision.Maybe the shock of seeing Montana will spark his memory.Chewing on her bottom lip, her thoughts swirled.First, I have to coax Larry into going on this trip with me.

~ ~ ~

A tentative knock on her door jolted Hope into the present.

“Am I in trouble, Miss Truman?” the janitor joked.

“Not at all.” Hope’s heart sank every time Larry-Mac didn’t recognize her. “Please call me Hope. You make me feel so old referring to me by my last name. Besides, only students get into trouble with me, not faculty nor staff.” She grinned in an attempt to relax him. “This’ll be painless, I promise.”

“Sorry, Miss, uh, Hope,” he mumbled. “You’ve got my curiosity up, ma’am.”

“Please don’t call me ‘ma’am’ either.” Hope grinned as she motioned to a chair in front of her desk. “Have a seat.”

“Sounds serious.” Larry’s face turned solemn. “I hope I’m doin’ a good job. I love it at Hilltop. I sure would hate to lose my—”

“It’s nothing like that. You’re doing a great job here. Not only do you keep the school clean and maintained, the students love you. I’ve never seen so many kids give a peace sign or say ‘cool, man’ these days.” Attempting to project an upbeat attitude, Hope continued. “Actually, I’d like to get to know you better. Remember the road trip I mentioned earlier?”

His brow’s furrowed. “I’ve been thinkin’ about that. If we go, I’d really like for Willow to come since we’re newlyweds and all.”

Hope definitely didn’t want Willow along when they first set eyes on Montana. It was going to be a shock for both Larry-Mac and Montana. Willow would complicate matters beyond comprehension. Clasping her hands together, she spoke calmly. “I really think it should just be the two of us. See, um, I plan to see an old friend from a long ago. And this, er, friend, well, I truly believe the two of you have a long-term connection.”

“A connection?” The janitor’s brows knitted. “What’s his name?”

“Montana.” Hope held her breath as she waited to see if there was any recollection on Larry’s face. Anything at all.

After staring blankly ahead, he simply said, “Interesting name. He must like mountains or westerns.”

“Actually, he is ashe.” Hope held her breath as Larry shifted in his seat.

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