Page 42 of Home to the Cowboy's Arms

He reached over and tugged on her ponytail like he used to do to irritate her as a kid. “Just making sure that my sister knows I’m just a phone call away. And I do have a lot of friends I can call too.”

“You and your brother and your sister can rest assured that I’m just fine. Now finish your burger and I’ll walk you to your truck.”

Ten minutes later they were standing by his vehicle, which he had parked in the Reserved for Official Vehicles area. “I already miss you. Please don’t let it be so long before I see you again. We all miss your stubborn hide…now and then.”

He reached up and brushed her cheek. “Hey knock it off. Since when have you become so weepy? I’ll be back, I promise. Until then, I’m just a phone call away. Take care, sis.” He gathered her into a tight bear hug. Then he was in his truck and flashing a hand in a wave as he drove away.

No use standing around moping when there was work to do inside. She squared her shoulders and headed into the courthouse.

*

“Where have youbeen? You drifted off in some kind of trance?” David Prescott was one of the men at the table where Cade was sitting and having a business lunch of sorts. But his mind went blank when he had seen Tori walk in and take a seat at a table for two across the room. He had just about made up his mind to walk over there when a tall cowboy walked in and headed straight for her. When she saw him, she had lit up like a Christmas tree and practically jumped into his arms. Cade knew he had not seen the cowboy around before and he wanted to know what was going on.

He tried not to stare but it was clear they were more than friends and she looked at him like she couldn’t get enough of him. The man’s back was to him, but he did see him reach out and stroke her hair and she seemed not to mind that at all. Then they left together, and he made an excuse to take the bill for the table and go to the front to pay for both of them. He could see outside better that way. But he didn’t care for the fact that she looked so sad to see him leave—but not before they shared an embrace that set his blood pressure rising. Who was this guy?

And then he noted something interesting. The guy had parked his truck in the reserved section like he had every right to be there. And she didn’t seem the least bit concerned about that. In fact, he bet he wouldn’t get towed. He left a generous tip because he wasn’t paying attention and didn’t respond when Tillie tried to tell him that. The rest of the afternoon was not good for the people who crossed his path. So she had someone she was interested in? It didn’t seem like someone she’d just met. Perhaps someone she was seeing when he met her? Or was this something that only occurred when the guy was passing through? Nothing made sense and it only irritated him not knowing. Well, if she had moved on just fine, then so be it. Lesson learned.

*

“I am soglad we were able to finalize the plans for the opening of the thermal springs, Cade,” Maggie said as they came out of the council chambers. “I’m just sorry that our mayor couldn’t have joined us. But she had a conference she had to speak at in Austin. She knows we’ll handle things just fine and fill her in when she returns. I’ll let you know when the last of the estimates have cleared.”

“Thank you, Maggie.” Cade turned and headed down the stairs. He gave a brief glance in the direction of the mayor’s office door, but it was closed and he had no reason to have any business there anyway.

He had just about made it to the front glass doors when Matt saw him and stepped into the hall. “Hey, Cade, where you been keeping yourself?”

He shook hands with the sheriff. “I’ve been busy with the spring calving and bringing another pasture online…clearing the mesquite and such.”

“It is getting to be that time of year.” Matt nodded. “Jillie asked about you. You are on her list of favorite people you know.”

“That’s an honor as far as I’m concerned. You need to bring her out to ride soon.”

“She’ll love that. She’s in a bit of tizz right now as she missed seeing Rance when he stopped by to see Tori a couple days ago.”

Rance.Where had he heard that name before? Matt must have read his moment of confusion.

“Rance as in Ransom…our prodigal brother you have yet to meet.”

“Your brother. That’s right. Well, I am sorry that I didn’t get to meet the remaining Parker. I suppose he’ll be back soon?”

“I doubt it. He’s got an assignment down in the valley. Of course, Tori is hoping he’ll make it for Easter, as she is always hopeful where her errant siblings are concerned. We all went to Austin to have dinner with him last Easter. We’ll see if he makes it. I’ll make certain you get to meet him next time. I have a photo of him that I took on my phone of all of us. Let’s see if I can bring it up.”

“Have I ever seen him?”

“Here it is. He was giving us a tour of his office in the capital.” He handed over the phone and the lights went off in Cade’s brain. “He works in Austin.”

“He’s a U.S. Marshal. His office right now is temporarily in the capital building until their offices are ready over in the federal court building.”

“I see. And he drives a vehicle that can park in any reserved space for law enforcement I imagine.”

Matt looked at him for a moment. “That’s correct.”

“I do recall seeing him in that area a while back. I didn’t know he was law enforcement at the time.”

“I see. Well, too bad you two didn’t get to meet. Maybe next time.”

“Maybe. I’ll look forward to it. Good to see you, Matt. Give Jillie a hello for me.” Cade went on his way and his brain was spinning.What an idiot.All the time he had wasted being jealous over her brother. He needed to come up with a plan and the sooner the better.

*

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