Page 18 of The Soldier and the Cowboy

“The people who would be impressed by that aren’t peopleI want in my inner circle,” she said.

“I’m impressed.”

“Then my statement stands,” she said.

“Where’d you find this one, Cal?” Sully asked. “Wait, I bet Cam sent her, didn’t he? That’s funny. Y’all always were for pranks.”

“Why would that be a prank?” Cal asked.

“Because she’s a woman,” Sully said.

“She is?” Cal said, looking at Bailey in dismay. “Son of a gun, you’re right.”

“Now, I know we got off on the wrong foot, Miss Dunbar,” Sully added. Bailey narrowed her eyes at him. “Major Dunbar. But I’m willing and able to have that conversation with you. How’s tonight sound?”

“Do you often work at night, Ranger Langford?” she asked.

“Only when I plan to combine business with pleasure,” he said.

Bailey wasn’t sure what her face looked like, but Cal laughed at her expression. “Careful, Sully, or I just might let her take you outside.”

“Now, Cal, you know I could never hit a woman,” Sully said.

“Lucky for you I feel the same,” Bailey replied. “Excuse me, please.” She pushed back from the table and went to the restroom, and it wasn’t her imagination that all eyes were on her, whether it was because she was new or because she was at a table with Cal and Sully she didn’t know.

“Boy, howdy, she’s a case, isn’t she?” Sully asked after she was safely gone.

“She’s all right,” Cal said mildly and Sully’s eyes strayed from the door of the bathroom to him.

“You really don’t have a type do you, Cal?”

“It’s not like that Sully. She’s an employee. And, youknow…” he held up his ring finger for Sully’s inspection.

Sully snorted. “You’re the only one hanging on in that relationship. You know who Isabel is dating now?”

“No, and I don’t want to,” Cal said.

“Well, the new girl is about as far from Isabel as you can get, that’s for certain,” Sully said.

“She’s an employee, Sully. That’s all.”

Sully grinned. “So you won’t mind if I ask her out.”

“I thought you already did,” Cal said.

“Nah, that’s just horseplay. I mean I’d make a real move, kind of show her what I’ve got.”

“It’s a free world, Sully. Best of luck to you,” Cal said. He would have tipped his hat to him, but he wasn’t wearing it.

Bailey returned from the bathroom, saw Sully still at their table, and barely refrained from grimacing.

“What about supper tomorrow?” Sully asked.

“What about it?” Bailey said.

“You and me, I’ll show you the town.”

“I’ve seen the town, twice in fact,” Bailey replied.

---