“I’m not. I’m a realist on this subject.” When Coop opened his mouth to speak, Zane waved him off. “Forget it. I’m not getting involved with McKenna personally. What I need is advice on how to survive working with her until Ginny’s return.”
“Women never get under your skin like this.”
“That’s because when a woman aggravates me, I walk away. I can’t do that with McKenna.” His right eyelid twitched, but he resisted the urge to cover it. “Between the three of you, you’ve got to have advice for me.”
His friends glanced between each other, all expecting someone else to answer until Ty shrugged. “I wish I did, but Lord knows every woman’s different and what worked for us probably won’t work for you.”
“You mean you found something that worked with Cassie? Tell me what because Grace got ticked at me yesterday when I threw her favorite T-shirt in the dryer. Now it looks like one of Ella’s,” AJ joked, referring to Cassie’s young niece. “I got in more trouble when I said if she got mad I wouldn’t help with laundry anymore.”
“That’s easy to fix,” Zane said, shaking his head at AJ’s lack of sense. “Go to Dress Like a Dream and buy her a new shirt, you moron. Better yet, get a necklace and earrings to go with it.”
“That’s a great idea.” AJ pressed his palm against his forehead. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
“Because you’re not too bright,” Zane shot back. “Come on. You’ve got to have advice.”
“I could tell you what we did, but you’re not going to like it,” Ty said. Zane motioned for him to get on with it. “Remember, you asked. I married mine, and AJ and Coop are engaged to theirs.”
Zane laughed. Ty had to be joking. Or he’d gone insane. This mess with McKenna was nothing like when his friends met their significant others. He waited for his buddies to laugh with him, but they didn’t. Hell, they were serious? “You’re Looney Tunes crazy.”
Strains of the band warming up floated into the game room. Zane looked at his friends and said, “We’d best finish quick before the molting starts.”
“We’re not henpecked,” Cooper insisted.
“But he does have a point,” AJ said. “If we’re not back by the first song, there’ll be hell to pay.”
*
As McKenna turnedfrom the gravel road leading from the Lucky Stars Ranch onto the small two-lane state highway heading to town, she still couldn’t believe what had happened. She drove past barren hay fields and cattle lounging in the fading fall sunlight, the peaceful rural setting a stark contrast to the turmoil chewing her insides.
Until she met Zane, she never let her emotions control her. How had she let that happen today? She’d started out to teach him adoring, brainless females weren’t so great or real because any woman could fake it. But when she peeled off her cardigan, someone else took over her body, and before she knew what happened, they were getting all hot and heavy. Her body shuddered remembering the response Zane aroused in her.
Then she’d compounded her mistake by letting her panic drive her to see Ginny. She should’ve known it would be a disaster. Why hadn’t she waited, composed herself, and developed a plan? Calm, rational, logic worked in business. Not acting under the influence of unpredictable emotions.
Talk about a plan backfiring. When she set her mind on a goal, she succeeded. Only once in her career had she ended up worse off than when she entered a meeting. The day Darby brought her in to discuss a cash drawer discrepancy. She never should’ve promised Erin she’d keep quiet. How would her life be different if she’d made another choice?
Don’t go there. Worry about now.
Right. Because it’s so great.
How would she face Zane after all she’d done today? Worse yet, what if he spoke with Ginny before leaving the ranch? How would she respond?
Yes, I went to see Ginny. Oops. It backfired. Sorry. My bad.
Sure. That would work.
She needed a strategy fast.
She’d start with remaining calm and in control, no matter what Zane’s reaction. She’d suggest they discuss the issue with Ginny, emphasizing Zane’s increased involvement wasn’t in the business’s best interest. If they acted as professional adults, they could think of additional facts to reinforce their assertion.
Somewhat relieved and feeling more in control, she turned onto Throckmorton and the town square came into view. At ten to seven, McKenna entered the Horseshoe. Her hand tightened on her purse strap, as her eyes adjusted to the dimness. The sounds of country music mixed with laughter, conversation, and an occasional baby crying filled the space.
She scanned the restaurant searching for Grace. Having a live band tonight had drawn half the town to the Horseshoe. Every table was full, as was the bar.
“Table for one?” the teenage hostess, Tammy Jo, according to the nametag attached to her red Horseshoe T-shirt, asked as she grabbed a menu.
McKenna cringed at Tammy Jo’s pity filled voice. Why did people ask the question as if there was something wrong with eating alone? McKenna thought of her sister, Erin. She’d let her fear drive her into a series of lousy relationships. Better to eat alone than eat with the losers Erin chose.
“Actually, I’m meeting Grace Henry. Is she here?”
