Page 28 of More Than a Good Friend

I wander back to the game room.

“Did you see the limo? What’s that doing on the ranch?” Archer drops into a chair.

“Goldie has a date. He sent a car to get her.”

He lets out a long whistle. “Dating in style. Let’s hope this one works out for her.”

“Yeah.” I’d feel better if I knew who she was with or where she’s headed. “I need to make a call. When the guys get here, let them know I’ll be back.” In the field behind the mess hall—where I have a bit of privacy—I scroll through my contacts and find Bluebonnet’s number.

It rings twice before she answers. “Hi, Dag. What’s up?”

“Who is Goldie on a date with tonight?”

“I don’t know. She didn’t tell me. You aren’t following her, are you?”

I only did that once, but people just never let it go. “No. I’m on the ranch. I just wondered. Bye.” I end the call and dial Daisy’s number. They aren’t close, but Daisy helped put all that goop on Goldie’s face when she got all dressed up for her birthday dinner.

She had on less makeup tonight, but her hair was curly like it was that other night. And I’ve never seen her in that dress before. Is it new?

After several phone calls and being repeatedly told not to mess up Goldie’s date, I only have one person left to ask. I know better than to call Mrs. Flores, but Goldie’s brother might understand why I’m concerned. He should care that his sister is safe. Right?

He answers after a couple of rings. “Hello.”

“Ricky, hi.”

“Dag?”

I’ve never called him before, and I’m not even sure why I have his number. “Just a quick question. Goldie left in a limo for her date. Do you know who she’s out with?”

He’s quiet for a few heart beats. “Goldie doesn’t tell me about her dates.”

“Oh. Well, sorry to bother you.”

“No worries. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

This is news. “Tomorrow?”

“Missy’s party. I figured Goldie would bring you with her. You’re more than welcome.”

More time with Goldie is a good thing. “Thanks. I’ll be there.”

Looks like I’m skipping poker night. I have to go buy a birthday present. What do little girls like anyway?

CHAPTER11

GOLDIE

“Idon’t think it will change his mind or spark romantic notions, but the look on his face was priceless.” I sip my wine. “And I feel a little guilty for hiding my earrings under the seat, but I needed a way to guarantee that he’d be there to see me leave. A lot guilty actually.”

Tandy laughs. “I’m a little surprised he didn’t follow you.”

“He’s been lectured about that because he did follow me that first night.”

“Which turned out to be providential, didn’t it?” She smiles as the waiter walks up with our appetizer. “Oh, this looks amazing.”

Once the waiter is out of earshot, I resume our conversation. “When my date started talking about hiring me to be his maid and suggesting I wear a special outfit, I didn’t panic because Dag’s truck was right there. But when he stopped on the side of the road, I made my date pull over.”

“Did your date know he was following you?”

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