Page 24 of I Want Crazy (Loco, Texas 3)

“Jessie Dale.”

Rand walked down the porch steps and met her on the bottom, sticking her hand out. Jessie took it and felt like the taller woman was sizing her up.

“So, Red tells me you’re ruining the Watering Hole.”

Jessie glared at Red, who threw his hands up. “I thought you were.”

“I’m turning it into a sports bar and grill. TVs, greasy food, cold beer. Where’s the bad?”

“Mmmm, chicken wings,” Rand hummed, reaching for her pocket. “I’m going to ask Jake to bring some home.”

“Who’s Jake?” Jessie asked.

“Her husband. My best friend,” Red said. “I thought you were sick?”

“Greasy food seems to help. Kind of like with a hangover.”

Jessie was even more confused. “What were you sick with?”

“Hey, babe,” Rand said into the phone, holding up her hand as if to signal “one sec.”

“Can you bring home a sack of chicken wings? And some of that buffalo ranch that Ginny makes?”

Jessie turned her confusion on Red, and he grinned. “She’s pregnant.”

Why Jessie was so

relieved that there was nothing going on between Red and Rand, she could only guess, but she smiled. “I see.”

“All right, thanks. Love you.” Rand hung up with a grin and rubbed her hands together.

“Give me your keys,” Red said.

Jessie took back her earlier impression when Rand crossed her arms. “How do we ask for things?”

“You are such a brat.”

“Nope, that’s wrong.”

Red sighed. “Rand, can I please have the keys?”

Rand handed over the keys with a sugary sweet smile. “No scratches or dents.”

“Please, I will treat that truck a whole lot better than you do.”

Jessie stepped in when Rand opened her mouth. “Thank you for letting us use your truck. I appreciate it.”

“At least she has some manners,” Rand said.

“Jake was right. The hormones do make you meaner.”

Before Rand could get to him, Jessie smacked him on his arm. “That’s sexist and rude.”

Rand snapped her mouth shut, crossed her arms, and grinned. “I like you. When you get done with town, you are coming to dinner.”

“Oh, I don’t know—”

“Don’t worry, I’ll make something else besides chicken wings. Those are just for me.”

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