Page 50 of Seaside Cowboy's Fairy Tale

Or Tex’s tender embrace. Her heart skipped a beat. She glanced at him and caught him smiling at her, caressing her with nothing but his baby blues. Heat rose inside her, and she had difficulty looking away. Frankly, she didn’t want to. She only caught herself when she started leaning toward him, drawn by the magnetism in his eyes.

Concentrate!

Time to move her gaze to the hostess. She smiled at her, then forked another yummy potato bite bathed in olive oil and smothered with sea salt, garlic powder, and herbs. Mmm. If she ate with her hands, she’d lick her fingers.

Tex told the others about her heroic actions at the boat and near the shoe store, which she didn’t find that heroic. She nearly said she was just doing her job, but she caught herself. Probably best not to remind him he’d been just a job at the beginning.

Everyone applauded her bravery, and heat rose up her neck. “It’s not a big deal.”

Mrs. Lawrence pinned her with a stare. “Saving my son’s life several times is a big deal. You risked your life for him.” Her eyes watered. “We have a debt of gratitude to you we can’t repay.”

Rachel squirmed in her seat and felt more heat rising. But something niggled her. Was Mrs. Lawrence acting, or did she care that much?

Tex took her hand and kissed her palm, sending a jolt to her heart. “Me, either. I met the most incredible woman in the world.”

“Seriously, no debt needed. Please. Besides, you already repaid me with this yummy brisket and biscuits. And let’s not forget about the roast potatoes.” Her face was probably the color of Mrs. Lawrence’s skirt by now.

Mrs. Lawrence chuckled. “Okay, my potatoes are good. But they are not equal to saving my son’s life. Honey, you have a place in this home and in our hearts whenever you want it.”

“Thank you.” Grateful tears burned behind Rachel’s eyes. She drained her glass of cold tea, hoping to reduce the pesky heat in her cheeks. “I’ve never looked at what I’ve been doing as anything out of the ordinary.”

“That’s because you’re also so humble. I believe you’re the humblest person I’ve ever met, and it’s so precious.” He kissed her hand again, sending delicious waves of pleasure through her before letting it go.

Except what she felt for Tex was out of the ordinary for her. She shuddered inside even imagining him getting shot. She couldn’t lose him. In a short span of time, she couldn’t imagine her life without him.

“I do have some not-so-good news. My wonderful assistant, Saylor, said she might resign soon,” Austin said.

Darius dropped his fork, and it clattered onto his plate.

Hmm. An interesting reaction, and Rachel nearly stopped chewing. Nearly. She hadn’t decided yet whether to move Darius off her suspect’s list. His being so gloomy spoke in his favor. If he’d been involved in those assaults on Tex, Darius would’ve played the role of a welcoming and concerned brother. Or did he behave this grouchy way to throw off those suspicions precisely for that reason?

Rachel munched on a honey biscuit that melted in her mouth, then helped herself to corn on the cob dripping with butter. Her taste buds rejoiced again, grateful for the hearty homemade food after a diet of hastily slapped-together sandwiches before running out the door. She liked it here already, and it wasn’t just because of the food. Happiness seemed to live in this home, and renewed longing told her she wished she’d grown up in a similar place.

“I’ll put word out in town that we’re looking for an assistant with some veterinary knowledge.” Then Mrs. Lawrence said to no one in particular. “If a guy likes a girl, maybe he should do something about it.”

“Mom!” Darius groaned.

Mrs. Lawrence blinked innocently. “Who said I was talking to you?”

A blush crept up Darius’s neck.

Hiding a bemused smile, Rachel lifted her cold glass with iced tea to her lips and took a few sips of the sweet liquid to flush down the brisket and vegetables. According to Kennedy, Saylor had a crush on Austin, which he’d never responded to as he’d fallen for Kennedy. So no wonder Darius wasn’t in a hurry to court a woman who’d recently pined for someone else. Not just someone. His own brother.

Oh the sadness of unrequited affection. Her hand moved toward Tex, but she stopped herself. Her affection for him might be responded to, and yet she had to keep her feelings in check. Her rib cage tightened, and she took another bite of the moist, juicy brisket with its flavorful barbecue sauce.

Besides her suspicions, something else needled her. Mrs. Lawrence’s mention of Rachel’s predecessor.

“What happened to Tex’s previous girlfriend?” Rachel blurted out. Her palm flew to her mouth. Sometimes she could be too impulsive and speak before she thought. Okay,most of the time.

All conversation stopped at the table, and Austin’s hand with a fork froze midair while a shadow passed over Tex.

Tex pushed away his plate. “Rachel, you might as well know. Madison was my first love. I was completely besotted and wanted to marry her. I trusted her and told her everything. Until one day, she disappeared with the details of my new project. Soon, one of our competitors announced they were launching a new app—the one we’d developed.” His voice was bitter.

Rachel’s stomach, a minute ago content and full, dipped, but more things fell into place. Now his lashing out at her for perceived betrayal made more sense. He didn’t seem to get closure with Madison, hadn’t gotten a chance to talk it out. But what he’d gotten was a subconscious suspicion that the next girl might betray him, as well.

Rachel had confirmed that suspicion.

A muscle in his jaw twitched. “Sorry for not telling you sooner.”

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