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The way Mitch and the Governor’s attention had whipped around to him, he almost thought twice about his offer, but instead, his mouth kicked into gear before his brain could stop him. “I need to stop at the mall also. Today is as good as any.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?”
His gaze casually took in the additional sets of eyes staring at him. What the heck, it was just a ride to the mall, he wasn’t asking for the kid’s hand in marriage. “I’m sure.”
“Then I guess I don’t need a car after all.” Siobhan pushed to her feet. “Give me two minutes to grab my purse and I’ll meet you at the front door.”
Containing the urge to smile back as brightly as she was, Jack nodded.
Siobhan bounced out of the room, her absence leaving a vacuum. He dared to look at the others at the table. He couldn’t swear to it, but he thought he saw a glimmer of suspicion in Mitch’s gaze. Same with the Governor. Shaking his imagination clear, he stood. He had to be reading into their expressions. Siobhan was just a kid and he was just helping out a friend’s little sister. Walking to the other end of the table, he kissed Lila again. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
“Thank you for rescuing our girl.” The older woman smiled up at him again.
“My pleasure.” Nodding at the Governor, he turned, noticing Mitch was no longer seated. He found Siobhan’s brother at the front door, a stern expression directed at him. Jack stopped a few feet from him.
“Our baby sister thinks she’s all grown up.”
Jack nodded.
“Just so we’re clear.”
Again, he bobbed his head. He knew better than anyone that not all that long ago he was partying hardy with Kyle and the others while Siobhan was still in pigtails and braces. So why had he not let her use one of the other ranch cars?
Siobhan appeared at the top of the steps, her purse over her shoulder and a baseball hat in her hand. She bounced down the stairs. “Ready?”
“Your carriage awaits.” Holding the door open with one hand, he waved her outside and ignored the way Mitch continued to watch them.
Buckled in, he put the car in gear and resisted the urge to chuckle as she plopped the baseball hat on, backwards. Reaching for the radio, she fiddled with the stations until she found one she liked, then twisted to face him. “So, what are you needing at the mall?”
Scrambling quickly, he ran through his to-do list, thrilled to remember his mother’s birthday was coming up. “I need a gift.”
Her head tipped to one side. “Oh.”
“Promise not to laugh?”
She nodded.
“Mom’s birthday is coming up and I haven’t a clue what to get her. Frankly, I could use a little input of the feminine persuasion.”
“Cool.” She twisted around and leaned back in place. “I’m great at old lady shopping.”
He knew his brows had just shot up high. “Uh, just don’t say that to my mother. She still refuses to consider herself middle-aged.”
She kicked her head back and laughed. “Got it.”
“Your mother seems really nice.”
“Oh, that she is. When God handed out mothers, I won the lottery. She’s always been a huge support. When people tell me that I should settle down and get a real job, Mum was the first to tell me to ignore the naysayers and follow my dream. Even though I get to talk to her all the time, it’s not quite the same as having her here to share a cuppa with or just get a hug. I really wish she were closer to share in all the things happening. But she’s become the most requested wedding coordinator in the county, getting away isn’t easy for her. I know she loves what she does, but I really do think she’s happy I’m here in Texas following my dreams.”
“That picture in the dining room really is wonderful.”
“Thank you. The goal is to turn my love of photography into a lucrative career. It’s not quite the same as an engineering or accounting degree, but I’m entered in the State Fair and hoping to get some recognition to one day have a photography showing. There’s a woman who owns a small gallery in the arts district. She’s a friend of Paige’s and really liked my work. She suggested if I can get some formal recognition, she’d be willing to hang some of my work the next time she does a show of up-and-coming artists.”
“That’s great.”
Her shoulders hunched up, her smile widened and her eyes sparkled. “I know. I haven’t told anyone yet, you know, just in case. Not even Mum, and I usually tell her everything.”
“If I’ve learned anything watching you since last night, it’s that you have talent.” And spunk, he thought. “I’m sure you can make it work.”
