Page 6 of Home to the Cowboy's Arms

Cade was clearly surprised by her appearance and more so by her words. “Well, that is very hospitable of you, Ms. Mayor. You seem to be having a good morning already.”

“Oh, I am. I always feel so good when a wrong can be righted and it can teach a lesson at the same time.”

His gaze narrowed on her. “And what wrong has been righted that has given you so much pleasure this morning?”

“Well, I think it only gives a positive reinforcement to our citizens when they see the laws of our town being upheld…no matter who it might involve. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Just what laws are being upheld?”

“Say, Cade,” one of his fellow diners spoke up at that time, “that looks a lot like your truck that Davy Bales has on the back of his wrecker. But surely it couldn’t be, I guess.”

Cade’s gaze left her and went to the window, and he did not quite react the way she had played out in her brain. He watched in silence. No immediate reaction. Then he took another sip from his coffee mug. Only after he had wiped his hands on his napkin and then folded it beside his plate, did his gaze return to hers.

“I can see what has made you so happy this morning. And I am pleased I was able to provide a reason for that. I was under the impression from a previous conversation you had with your brother last night that you would be later in the day after the ribbon cutting and a couple of meetings.”

“Yes, well my schedule tends to be fluid on many days. A mayor must be flexible. And speaking of meetings, I’m going to be late if I don’t rush away now.” She gave a bright smile to his breakfast companions. “It was good to see all of you and do have a wonderful day.”

“That includes myself as well?” He had to bring her attention to him again. She obliged.

“Why of course it does. It goes without saying what sort of day I would wish for you, too.”

She turned and made her exit but not before she caught the glint in those eyes. A bit of fire? A hint of warning?Too bad.He wasn’t going to spoil her mood. He would be busy the rest of his morning at the local tow lot reclaiming his truck. And she was humming as she crossed the street and moved her vehicle back into its rightfully reserved place.Take that, Cade Lockwood.

“You didn’t. You wouldn’t.” The words were repeated once more by her brother as he sought to remain calm as he stood in the center of her office a few minutes later. “What made you do such a childish thing to a member of this community? You could have called me, and he would have gotten a ticket he would have to pay to the county. But nothing near what he will have to pay to reclaim his truck.”

“And it will reinforce the fact that he needs to heed the laws of our town the same as anyone else. Awarningclearly did little good. And the free meal he got out of it did nothing to sway his civic mindedness. Perhaps this lesson will be the one that makes the difference.”

“Well, I would say that the afternoon meeting today hasn’t an ice cube’s chance in a boiling pot of being amicable and having him change his mind about access to the hot springs on his land. Thanks a lot, Ms. Mayor. You just remember that you did this to yourself…to all of us.”

“Don’t be so dramatic, Matthew. Of course, he won’t change his mind about allowing access to those springs. He has made that abundantly clear. He is stubborn and selfish and cold-hearted and…”

“And standing right here.” That effectively silenced the two people already in the room.

“And where is Wallace? How did you get by him a second time?”

“Your guard dog is nowhere in sight. One of the lovely ladies in the outer office allowed me to come right in. In the future, maybe you should practice closing your door when you want a private conversation.”

“Maybe you should make an appointment before you even come to this office. Don’t just drop in…uninvited.”

“And maybe I hear my name being called downstairs,” Matt said moving toward the open doorway as Cade stepped inside and out of his way. “Good luck.”

“Who are you wishing good luck to?” Tori challenged.

Matt didn’t miss a step but kept moving. “Bothof you need it. Don’t be late to the meeting.”

“I have a meeting to prepare for,” she said. That was a clear cue for him to leave.

“I have the same meeting.”

Tori paused in shuffling her paperwork from one spot on her desk to another…a nervous habit that had seemed to develop with these unannounced visits from Cade Lockwood. “Since when have you started taking an interest in our meetings? You’ve always stayed away in the past.”What was he up to?

“Since I was asked…very nicely, I might add…by the chairperson of the Future Development Task Force. You might take a page from her book.”

“Shouldn’t you be someplace else? Maybe at the tow yard?”

“Ah, yes. I have paid the fine and the truck is now in visitors parking. All nice and legal.”

“That’s refreshing. Glad to be of help in reminding you to follow posted warnings.”

---