“We don’t bicker,” Lane grumbled under his breath. “Makes us sound like an old married couple or something.”
“You should be so lucky to land someone like me,” Duke said, grinning. “But Suzy’s right. No need to stand around hereand bark at each other. Let’s head into town and grab some breakfast. Who’s down for The Dusty Armadillo?”
“Perfect,” Suzy said. “Then Heather can meet Celine.”
Heather wrinkled her nose. “Are you taking me to a restaurant or some animal rescue where I’m going to get leprosy?”
Lane struggled against a grin of his own as he marched across the room and snatched his cowboy hat from the little table pushed against the wall. “Better not let Celine hear you talk that way. She can get pretty feisty.”
Suzy rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry, she’s only feisty with Lane. And this place has the best food in town. I promise. Do you want to ride with me? Then you can tell me all kinds of stories about when Duke was a kid.”
“How about you ride with us while Lane takes Parker?” Duke cut in, stopping Suzy’s plan before it could grow legs and run. The last thing he needed was his sister alone with the woman he had no business crushing on. A future with Suzy might be out of the question, but that didn’t mean he wanted all of his embarrassing secrets spilled.
Lane plucked Parker out of Suzy’s arms and headed for the door. “Fine by me. Little man is the best company out of everyone.”
“I’d take offense to that if I didn’t agree.” Suzy found her long, beige coat on the free-standing rack and shrugged inside of it. “If you don’t mind, I’ll drive. I have an appointment to get my oil changed in a couple of hours. I’ll just meet you guys there.”
Duke frowned, hating the idea of her being alone. Even if only for the short drive into town. “You sure?”
Her mouth slid up in a sexy smirk. “Yeah. I think I know my way there.”
He dipped his chin but kept his thoughts to himself as she walked past him and led the way outside.
Twisting her lips to the side, Heather stared up at him. “Well, that’s interesting.”
“What?”
“Oh, I think you know.”
It was his turn to roll his eyes. “Shut up. Let’s go.”
Heather laughed behind him, the sound grating on his nerves, but he kept any hint of reaction tucked deep inside. If she sensed weakness, she’d pounce.
Once behind the wheel, he started the engine and took off behind Suzy’s SUV. The heat of Heather’s stare singed his cheek, but his focus remained out the windshield.
“Aren’t there more interesting things to look at other than me?” He finally snapped.
Heather shrugged. “Not when your face is all red like that. You really like her, don’t you?”
Sweat slicked his palms. “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”
“I haven’t seen you act this way around a woman in a long time.” Heather continued as if she hadn’t heard a word he’d said. “Maybe since Chrissy Evans.”
The name was dropped like an atomic bomb, stealing his breath. “Suzy’s nothing like Chrissy.”
“Not saying she is. I mean, Suzy doesn’t seem like the type of woman who’d waste years of her life hoping you’d come back to town and pick up where you left off. Don’t get me wrong, I always liked her, but it’s always been a bit sad the way she pines for you. I mean, you’re notthatgreat.”
His half-hearted attempt at a smile probably came off as more of a grimace, but he had to at least acknowledge Heather’s attempt at levity.
As far as his ex-girlfriend was concerned, though, nothing could lighten his mood. Nothing could erase the bad memories that hunted him like damn hound dog. Because Chrissy mightappear like the sad, injured party to the folks back home, but he knew the truth.
And the truth was downright terrifying.
A warm wallof air greeted Suzy as she stepped into The Dusty Armadillo. A few weathered men with their cowboy hats on the bar sat on backless stools with steaming mugs of coffee in front of them. A pair of young mothers took over a table in the far corner, their kids sitting on their knees at the table with coloring books keeping their attention.
Celine ferried plates from the kitchen to the kids then hurried to the front of the restaurant with a smile on her face. “Morning. Didn’t expect to see you.”
Suzy gave her soon-to-be sister a quick hug. “An impromptu breakfast party.”
