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By the look on his face, Cal knew that Mike Paul was done talking about Millie Sue, and he supposed it was for the best. He decided to change the subject.
“You see Ivy at all?”
“Nope. Didn’t know she was back in town.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, why?” Mike Paul looked surprised.
“You guys are still in touch. I assumed when we landed, she’d be heading your way at some point.”
“Haven’t seen her.”
“She’s being vague about her whereabouts.”
“Women can be like that.” A pause. “How’s Bent?”
“He’s doing real good. I stopped in with Nora after I picked her up from ballet.”
“Ballet?” Mike Paul snorted. “I would have given my left nut to see you in a room with all those women.”
Jennifer dropped off their wings, and when she stepped back, three women stood in her place. Two of them, Cal knew: Jacklyn Davis and Brittany Baker. The tall blonde, however, he’d never laid eyes on. She had a spray tan that didn’t quit, shown off nicely by a low-cut red blouse that did nothing to hide a generous rack. Worn jeans that had holes in them, the kind that probably cost a couple hundred bucks, clung to long, lean legs tucked into a pair of brown cowboy boots. Her jewelry was gold, her lips glistened, and a predatory look hung in her eyes.
She was attractive, no doubt about it, but there was a hardness to her that didn’t appeal to Cal, and for some reason, he didn’t like the woman on sight.
“Howdy,” he said slowly, shifting his gaze to Mike Paul, who was doing his best to ignore the entire thing. “Jacklyn.” He nodded. “Brittany. It’s been a long time.”
“My God, Cal, it’s just so good to see you here.” Jacklyn beamed holding up her hand, to show off a big diamond. “I’m a Boatright now. Married Jim a few years back. He’ll be along in a bit. Just dropping off the kids at his mama’s place.”
Brittany elbowed her way in front of Jacklyn. “Are you going to sing for us tonight, Cal?”
“I’m not getting on stage,” Cal cut in firmly.
“Well, that would be a shame,” the tall blonde said, taking a step closer. “Nice to meet you.” She held out her hand, the long fingernails as red as her lips. “I’m Tabitha.”
Tabitha. Cal blinked.Tabitha.Shit, this could not be the woman his brother was—
“Bent and I are close. I’m sure he’s mentioned me.” Her slow smile widened, her ultra-white teeth a little too bright. She was entirely too comfortable, and though Cal already knew he wasn’t a fan, he wasn’t in the habit of being rude to a lady.
“Bent was kinda out of it when I saw him last,” Cal replied. “But Nora has.”
“Isn’t she just the sweetest thing?” The woman’s smile held firmly in place. “I swear she’s like my own little girl.”
“Spitting image of Daisy Mae,” Jacklyn said, nodding. Whatever else the woman was going to say was cut short by the side-eye Tabitha shot at her.
“I wouldn’t know,” Tabitha said lightly, gaze lingering on the men. “So, gentlemen, mind if we join? I’d like to get to know Bent’s brother a little better.”
Mike Paul nearly choked on a wing.
Cal reached for one. “Mike Paul and I got some catching up to do, but maybe another time.” Tabitha didn’t hide her surprise all that well, and Cal got the feeling she wasn’t used to rejection.
“I was thinking of stopping by the ranch tomorrow,” she said slowly.
“Yeah?”
“To visit with Nora. She’s such a sweet little thing.”
“That so?”
