Page 32 of Make Me Crazy (Loco, Texas 2)

“Hey, Jamie. Could I talk to Jay?”

Jamie gave her a surprised look. “Sure. Hang on.”

“Thanks.” Rand paced in the front while Jamie went to the back. Her eyes kept catching those of Mrs. Donaldson’s golden retriever and the dog let its big pink tongue loll out of his mouth and his tail thumped.

“Miranda, honey.” Mrs. Donaldson called, patting the seat next to her.

Rand prayed Jamie would come out and save her but no such luck. She sat next to the older woman and found herself with Hank, the golden retriever, whose head was in her lap. She stroked his fuzzy ears while Mrs. Donaldson whispered, “I heard about your predicament, bless your heart.”

Rand gritted her teeth. “I’ll be fine, Mrs. Donaldson.”

“Of course you will be. I expect Jake will make you a fine husband.” The older woman’s eyes were bright with interest.

Rand choked. “Jake and I are not getting married.”

Mrs. Donaldson’s eyebrows shot up. “Really? I just assumed with how cozy you two were on Sunday and a man is only really serious about a woman once he’s taken her to church.”

“Rand, you can come back now.” Jamie came back to the front and Rand wanted to kiss her for saving her. “Just head on into exam room two.”

“Have a good day, Mrs. Donaldson.” Rand tried not to run from the room, but it was close. She shut the door with a sigh and leaned back against it..

Jay came through the door a moment later and smiled at her. “Hey Rand, this is a nice surprise.”

“It is?” Rand hoped she didn’t sound as stupid as she felt.

Jay cocked his head to the side. “Well, yeah. Is there something wrong with Digger or Scout?”

“What? Oh no, they’re fine. I was actually wondering..well…I had thought maybe we had a…” why couldn’t she think of the word? “Connection?” Jay looked so shocked, her heart sank. “I am so sorry. I am such an idiot.”

“No! I mean…yeah, I thought you were cute, but after seeing you and Jake together on Sunday…I just assumed…”

“No, well, it was just…” She sighed, and decided to be honest. “Jake and I are just friends. He was just trying to help me get your attention.”

His handsome face broke into a wide grin. “I’m flattered that you thought I was worth so much effort.”

“I’m guessing that means you aren’t interested,” she asked, just trying to confirm.

“I was…I mean…” He ran his hand through his hair. “I’ve been in this pretty dysfunctional on again off again relationship, and it’s kind of…”

“On again?” She offered, her hopes dashed with his confirming nod.

“Yeah. I’m sorry. You just seem like a nice woman and I know you’re in a tough spot…”

“It’s okay, Jay. Thank you for being honest with me,” she said, trying to control the shakiness of her voice, mentally thinking of who else was left.

No one. You went out with the top choices, and the rest were either too old, too young, or in the “hell no” category.

“Hey, good luck okay,” he said, and she dumbly mumbled a good-bye, waving at Jamie as she passed. She didn’t want anyone to see her frustrated tears as she left the office and raced to her truck. She was in desperate need of a beer.

Rand walked intoThe Watering Hole, straightening the skirt of the black dress she’d found in her grandmother’s box. It was off the shoulder with a tight bodice and a flowing skirt. She’s left her hair down and wavy, but in lieu of heels, she’d worn her black flats.

She saw Red by the bar and when he glanced her way, she gave him a little wave. At first, he got this really dopey grin and then his eyes bulged out and his mouth dropped. Leaving his beer on the bar, he walked over to her, letting out a rather loud, “Holy hell!”

“Is that good or bad?” Rand nervously looking around the bar.

“It’s good. You’re…” His voice trailed off and he cleared his throat. “Jake’s a lucky guy.”

Rand laughed. “Jake and I were just pretending to be dating. He thought it would be a way to get Jay to notice me, but turns out, he’s not interested. So here I am, back to square one, trying to pick up a man in a bar.”

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