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They tried a long-distance romance after he went back home, and he tried to talk her into moving to Tennessee. But she loved Texas, and he wasn’t ready to leave Tennessee, so they went their separate ways. Now, here she was again, and from what he heard in the training today, she was still single.
He couldn’t help but check her out as she got closer. Her long, dark hair fell around her shoulders. She wore a form-fitting-button-up shirt, the top two buttons undone, showing off the beginning of what he knew was some amazing cleavage. Her shirt was tucked into her tight dark blue jeans, which showed off the perfect curvature of her body. Her signature brown boots finished the look. She was beautiful. Some things never change.
Her perfect white smile lit up her face, and her bright blue eyes gleamed. “I heard you got here.” She caught him in a hug, and he spun her around. Her laughter rang bright in his ears.
“Janet. It’s great to see you.” And he was surprised it was true. “I’m heading out for dinner. Thought I’d grab barbeque. You hungry?”
“Yeah, I am. It’ll be good to catch up.”
He gave her his elbow. “Let’s go.”
She grabbed his arm, and they left for the best barbeque in this part of Texas.
Dinner was amazing, as usual. Tennessee barbeque might be good, but it sure didn’t compare to what they made in Texas. He pushed his plate away and motioned to the server, pointing at their empty mugs, and held up two fingers.
Janet smiled over at him. “So, tell me. Who’s the lucky girl that has your heart?”
“Excuse me?” As far as Tristan could tell, he didn’t have anything on him anywhere that said Stacey. He hadn’t heard from her since this morning, yet he did tell her he’d call her. But here he was instead.
Janet leaned on her elbows. “Tristan, I’ve been flirting with you all night. You’re ignoring my advances. I just want to know who she is.”
She’d been flirting, and he hadn’t noticed. Wow. Who was he? That was easy. He was a guy whose heart was taken, though a bit empty. Stacey’s image floated in his mind. Light brown, almost blonde hair, those amazing golden-brown eyes. His jaw clenched. “There is someone, or there was. I had to walk away because she has baggage she needs to sort out.” He shrugged and picked up his beer. There was nothing else to say.
“Well, I can tell she still has a hold on you. Maybe you’ll hear from her.” She finished her beer. “It’s late. Want a ride to the hotel?”
Janet drove, and Tristan stared out the window. His heart felt empty now that the chaos of the day was finished, and his mind could relax. The focus of the training was the perfect way to occupy his mind and keep from thinking of Stacey and wondering what she was up to. Now, that’s all he was doing.
“Hey, do you want to grab some drinks in the bar and talk a bit?” asked Janet as they pulled in front of the hotel.
Tristan glanced her way and noticed the look she gave him. Sultry and hungry. He remembered that look. It used to grab him and hold on, causing him to be at her mercy. But it didn’t work this time. “You know, it’s been a long day. I think I’ll skip it. See you tomorrow. And thanks for the ride.” He walked inside alone and turned on the television. Light brown hair and golden eyes filled his mind again. “I need to call her. I won’t be able to sleep if I don’t.”He dialed the phone, but it went to voice mail.
He checked the clock.Eleven.
She was probably in bed and had to work in the morning. He decided to do the same.
The weekend flew by. Saturday was a long day. He spent the day on horseback riding the many acres, checking out the cattle with some of the ranch hands. Sunday, he toured the facilities and barns, asking specific questions for his uncle.
He had another couple of days of training on Monday morning. The thought irritated him. He’d rather be out getting his hands dirty in a barn or riding a horse than sitting in a room listening to someone speak. He slowly walked to his car and was looking forward to a beer, a nice dinner at the hotel, a hot shower, and bed.
“Hey, cowboy. Want some company?” Janet pulled up in her black convertible.
“What are you doing here on a Sunday?” Tristan leaned in her window. “Nice car. I think my uncle may be paying you too much.”
“Yeah, whatever. Anyway. Want company?” She raised her brows, waiting for his answer.
“Sure. I’m just going to the hotel restaurant. Want to join me?”
“Meet ya there. I’ll get a table.” She pulled out.
As he entered the hotel lobby, his phone pinged. It was Stacey. She wanted to talk. He let her know he was eating. They decided to talk around eight o’clock. Plenty of time for him to eat, relax, and get his head on straight.
Janet had two beers waiting for them and a basket of chips with salsa. “Everything good?”
He took a seat and dove right into the chips and downed his beer in one gulp. He was hungry. The beer was cold. “Yep.”
“What’s her name?” Janet dipped a chip in salsa.
Why does she care? Tristan watched her as she ate. Janet looked good, relaxed, more mature. They were both very young, immature, and self-centered when they were in their relationship. He knows he’s changed and grew up. He was sure she had also. “Her name’s Stacey.”
