Page 36 of Home to the Cowboy's Arms

“We were just about to order, Matthew. I have to get back to the office soon.”

“Matthew,” the sheriff said with a grin. “That means I have done something wrong and my big sister is warning me to behave. But I am starving first and foremost. Let’s place our orders so the mayor can get back to work.”

Tori felt like she might as well not even be at the table. Between the three of them, they soon had a conversation going like old friends. Cassie was being especially friendly to Cade and Tori recognized what she was doing. She was quite skilled in getting people to open up and draw them out and before they knew it, she would have gotten the information she wanted. Tori wasn’t in the mood. Both her siblings needed to take a step back. The food came and she ate hers, making as few comments as necessary.

“Well, I must leave. Cassie, you have the key to my house, in case Minnie is out doing errands. So make yourself at home as usual and I will try to get back early. Matt, do remember to stop by Dorinda’s and pick up the flour tortillas she’s making for tonight.”

“Cade’s doing that on his way into town.”

“Yes, I pass right by Dorinda’s little bakery. It’s the only contribution Matt would let me make toward this little birthday celebration for Jillie.” Cade supplied the missing information for Tori.

“I didn’t realize that you knew Jillie,” was all she managed to respond with.

“Cade helped me corral the group of seven-year-olds last week that came over for a playdate in the backyard. He came in handy with the grill when the chef had a little mishap and burnt his thumb instead of a burger,” Matt added with a laugh. “He and Jillie became fast friends. She invited him to join us.”

“I see.” Tori needed some air. And she needed her family to realize that whatever they were up to, it wasn’t going to work. Most of all, Cade Lockwood needed to stay away. But she would deal with all of that later. She stood up. “Then I will leave you all to enjoy the rest of your lunch.”

She didn’t wait around for their responses. Tossing a wave at Tillie, she kept a smile on her face until she was outside and then she marched back to her office in record time. She went straight through to her office and then she stopped.

Wallace was right behind her. “You didn’t give me time to tell you that you had a special delivery while you were out. I sat them in here so people would stop making excuses to come by and look in to see what had arrived for you from the florist. I must say that LaVernia outdid herself on this display.”

“Display is right. What in the world?” She moved over to where her desk was almost hidden by the massive arrangement of all her favorite flowers…roses in different shades of pink, tall glads in a bright fuchsia, baby’s breath and greenery and even some little white button mums appearing amongst the larger flowers. A white card was almost hidden by the huge pink bow. She opened the envelope and drew out the card. One word…Cade. No other sentiment was added, but the flowers spoke it for him. What was he thinking to have this delivered to her office? It would be the talk of the town within the hour if it wasn’t already.

First, he shows up at lunch in the crowded café and now he sends a massive number of roses to the courthouse. The man clearly doesn’t care about appearances.How easily people can and would get the wrong idea.

“Should I move them over to the table?” Wallace stepped around her and stood waiting beside her desk.

“Please do. I need to be able to see my desk so I can work at it.” She made sure that the card went inside her bag. But the sender had already been ferreted out from the florist, she was sure. Nothing was kept a secret for long in Destiny’s River.

“Someone has an admirer,” gushed Maggie as she sailed into the office. Wallace left them to it after moving the arrangement, closing the door behind him. “Pink roses and they smell heavenly.”

“I suppose it is already going to be front page in the newspaper?” Tori made the remark as she sat down behind her desk.

“If it isn’t today, it will be tomorrow.” Maggie grinned. “I have to be in court in five minutes, but I just had to come see what everyone downstairs was whispering about. I’d say the man just sent you a message. That trip you both took was my idea. Just remember that when you send out the wedding invites.” She made for the door before Tori had a chance to aim something in her direction.

What was the man up to? Was this the usual way he treated his women? Fancy dinner, an earth-shaking kiss, and then flowers the next day? Well, he’d wasted his money and time. If he gave the townspeople something to talk about that morning, then she could help in the afternoon.

“Wallace,” she spoke into the intercom. “Please step in.”

He wasted little time. “Yes, Mayor?”

“I would like you to deliver these flowers someplace for me.”

“Your home? I’d be happy to do so.”

“No, not my home. I think the lovely people at the nursing home deserve to enjoy them. It will brighten the day. Please take them over there with my best wishes for a wonderful day.”

“You are sending them away…to the nursing home? That is such a touching gesture, Mayor. I will do it right now.” The flowers were on the move and out of her office.

Tori smiled to herself. Let that bit of news get around town and right to Cade Lockwood. It would be one bright topic in the evening ahead.

*

Jillie’s birthday wouldbe celebrated with her family at the dinner that Tori always prepared for her. She would do it up ‘fancy-style’ as the child liked to call it. Then they would have a kids’ party on Saturday afternoon. The only problem was that rain had been forecast for part of the day and Tori was worried about what the backyard would look like after a group of children tried playing in wet grass and mud. But she would come up with plan B before then.

Tori hurried home, realizing she was already running behind schedule. Darn building inspectors wouldn’t stop talking about budget items they just had to have. She left them sorting it out and literally ran to her car. The smell of food cooking met her as she ran through the kitchen door.

“Is the casserole ready for the oven? Beans on?”

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