Page 8 of The Texas Cowboy's Proposal

“Helpers?”

“I get to do things like pass out paperwork and erase the boards and take things to the office for her. She chose me and two others because we get our work done and follow the rules and can help the other kids in class with their work if they need it too.”

“That sounds like a very responsible job. Good for you. What’s your favorite subject?”

“I like history because there are a lot of things to read about that are interesting. But I really love art and math.” The food arrived, creating a pause in the conversation. But Lacy picked up the subject once the waitress left them. “What was your favorite subject?”

“Well, I loved history too. I still do. I would love to have time to go to more museums and see some historic places that I’ve read about.”

“Me, too! Maybe my dad would take us sometime?” Her hopeful look shot across to Beaudry, who had been listening in silence. Now he had been drawn into it. His daughter’s hopeful tones and pleading eyes were full bore on him. He glanced at Sammi Jo.

Might be her turn to help him out.

“I’m sure your dad would love to do that, but you know how busy a ranch can keep someone at this time of year. But I bet he’ll give it some thought when he has the time.” Sammi cast him a smile that said, “debt repaid.’”

“I will certainly keep that request in mind,” he said to his daughter. “Now, get to work on cleaning that plate, young lady, if you want that promised banana pudding.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Well, look who we have here. I couldn’t believe it when I looked over here from our table and saw this trio.” That elevated voice with its pitched volume and twang always made Sammi Jo cringe a bit inside when she came too close to it—something she tried to always avoid when she could. Melba Tweet was married to the interim mayor of Burkitt, and president emeritus of the busybody society. Sammi’s grandmother had often referred to her as the “twit” and had little time for such nonsense, as the woman spread gossip like manure around a garden. The chair legs scraped on the wooden floor as Beaudry stood in the mannerly way he had obviously been raised. Sammi Jo took note of that too.

“Miss Melba, how nice to see you.”

A hand fluttered to rest on Beaudry’s elbow, and she added a coquettish upturn of the head as she simpered for the man beside her. “Why, Beaudry Hawkes, it always does my old heart good to see you. And you have two lovely dining companions with you, I see. I just had to stop over and say hello to you.” And then she zeroed in on Sammi Jo. “And what a surprise to see you, a Burkitt, dining with a Hawkes. Whatever would your grandmother say about such a thing?” She ended with a laugh that didn’t quite ring true.

“I imagine she would be quite pleased and seated right beside us. Because that ancient feud over a silly card game is such old news. Most people have forgotten such nonsense. But thank you for thinking of her, Mrs. Twitt…oh my, I mean Mrs. Tweet. Slight slip of the tongue, sorry.” She hoped her smile was just as genuine as the one that seemed to be causing Melba a bit of pain at the moment, one side slipping downward as well.

Beaudry made a slight clearing of his throat before he spoke. “I see your husband at the front door, trying to get your attention. It was nice seeing you. Give Henry my best.”

“Oh yes, he is so impatient. Something about some sports program he must get home to see on television. But it was lovely to see you, Beaudry.” She glanced at Sammi Jo. “You too. Enjoy the rest of your dinner.” She gave a pat to Beaudry’s arm before she favored him with another smile and then sailed off to join her husband across the room. Beaudry sank back into his chair, fork in hand to finish his meal. His expression gave nothing away.

“Is she one of your friends?” Lacy’s question was innocent enough as she looked at Sammi Jo.

“Not so much a friend as just an acquaintance of my grandmother’s.”

Sammi Jo caught the upward movement of the corner of Beaudry’s mouth, yet he kept his gaze on his plate. Wise man to remain quiet.

The rest of the meal was finished in pleasant small talk, mostly between Lacy and herself. She was very conscious of the fact that the man at the table was keenly observing the pair of them. It was a bit disconcerting, but she could understand it from his point of view. He was a father concerned with the welfare of his little girl and how what they were about to embark upon would have ramifications for all of them. She couldn’t fault him for being cautious. The fact that she had to make some adjustments to her previous opinions about Beaudry was surprising enough and gave her some things to think about as well. Deep in this set of thoughts, she caught that Lacy had said something to her, but she had no idea what it was.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch the last of what you said.”

Lacy looked a bit unsure as she glanced at her dad and then again at Sammi Jo. “I was just asking if you might could come to the open house at my school on Tuesday? If you aren’t really busy or anything. We give tours of our schoolroom and you see the projects we’ve done and meet our teachers and stuff like that. You might be bored, though, so it’s okay if you can’t come.”

“That sounds like a lot of fun.” Where had that swift response come from? Too late to take anything back, however; the smile that lit the child’s face was megawatt. It touched Sammi Jo that it might mean so much to the child. “Thank you for inviting me.”

“But we do know that this is awfully short notice, and we can understand if you really can’t spare time for a school event. Right, Lacy? Maybe another time would be better for Miss Sammi Jo and...”

Who was he to speak for her? He wanted them to get used to each other, to be seen by people in town to make things easier, so what was he doing? He might have used his bossy ways with his ex, but she was certainly not Sandy Lou, and neither was he taking up where her grandmother left off in bossing her around. The sooner he realized she was her own person, the better for all of them.

“Thank you for the invitation, Lacy. I think it would be great to see your school and all the things you are doing and learning so far. I make my own schedule, and this is a priority now. I will most certainly be there.” The warmth of her smile was for the child. The fire in her gaze was for the man across from her. He would have to be blind to not get the silent message aimed straight at him.

“In for a penny, in for a pound,” Beaudry whispered. Lacy had turned to say something in response to the waitress’s approach with their desserts, so she didn’t catch the words. Sammi Jo glanced at him.

“I’m a fighter and my own person. That won’t change, no matter what else does. But we both agreed to try this on.” Her voice was just a side whisper, but the message was loud and clear.

“Well, we took that giant leap off the cliff tonight. Hope the fall won’t be painful.”

“I’m more worried about the landing.” Their gazes locked in that moment, and something unusual passed between them. Something Sammi Jo had no words to describe in that moment. But it might just be as strange to him as it was to her.

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