Page 36 of Her Cadillac Cowboy
“That’s not true. Daddy gave Mom everything she ever wanted. If Sam had been reasonable and taken Daddy’s offer to buy the Caddy back, our families would still be on speaking terms, and Daddy wouldn’t have worked himself ill trying to build Carson’s Cars into the best dealership in the state.”
“Our families are on speaking terms. Donny and I spoke just fine during the contract negotiations.”
“More thievery.”
He ignored her. “And you’re speaking to me now.”
“Only because that judge forced me.”
“I suppose that judge forced me to kiss you senseless an hour ago. What about the county fair the day before I left town? I asked you to wear my pin and date exclusively. That happened after my unclestolethe Caddy. You didn’t seem to have a problem talking to me then.”
“I doubt my retelling of that day’s events would flatter you.”
“Oh?”
“Are you really eager to have me tell you that my mother’s desertion left me so lonely and insecure that I was thrilled by the attention you paid me in school that year and during the summer? Or that, immediately after fulfilling my immature girlhood fantasy and asking me to go steady, you crushed my dreams and my self-esteem by making out with Lurlene Biggers in the back of the Cadillac your uncle stole from my family?”
He sat back and gave her an assessing look. “I wondered if you’d found out about that. You can hardly blame the eighteen-year-old kid I was then for snatching up what Lurlene was only too willing to put out.”
“Snatch is a pretty good word for it.”
He ignored the comment. “Especially when a kiss from a pipsqueak twisted my gut into knots.”
“So, it’s my fault you couldn’t wait fifteen minutes to get into Lurlene’s pants.”
“No, darn it. It was her fault. She came on to me when I couldn’t help myself.”
“And your uncle couldn’t resist that Caddy. You McKinleys are all alike. You see something, you take it, anyway you can, then blame someone else. That’s a fine example for a kid like Will to live with.” She threw down her napkin and pushed back her chair, ready to walk out rather than listen to any more.
Josh grabbed her wrist, holding her in place. “Don’t even think about walking out. I’ve never stolen a thing in my life, and you know it.” But she had stolen something. She’d stolen his heart years before. He’d be damned if he’d let her know it.
She tugged at his grasp to no avail. “Let go of me.”
“Not until I know you’ll stay put and finish your meal.”
She glared at him. “Why should I?”
“Because I invited you to dinner, and I’ll take you home. We won’t provide a scene for the whole town to gossip about. We will present a united front. If we don’t, then Will’s gonna know that he can play us against each other.”
“All right,” she grudged and returned to her seat
He released her wrist. “That’s better.”
“That was blackmail.” She rubbed her wrist.
He grinned. “First a thief, now an extortionist. I’m moving up in the world.”
Sara filled her mouth with salmon so she wouldn’t have to answer him.
“Don’t worry, Pipsqueak, Will Talmidge will be out of our hair in a week. Then you’ll never have to talk to me again.”
“It won’t be too soon for me.”
He decided the little twisting ache in his heart must be heartburn.
