Chapter Eight
F riday evening, Amanda slipped into another wrap dress, similar to the one that had ended up on her kitchen floor yesterday afternoon while Dante had taken her out of herself and returned her completely sated and beyond content.
The man was a pleasure magnet to her senses and soul. And the good parts in between. He instinctively knew where to touch her and how to touch her, and dang, she was getting turned on just thinking about him and his thick, long, magnificent…appendages.
She spun in front of the full-length mirror on the back of her bedroom door and watched the skirt of her aqua dress flair out around her legs.
With luck, this dress would also end up on the floor at Dante’s hands later tonight, although they didn’t exactly have plans to see each other.
But they could have…
Thanks to already agreeing to meet her sisters for dinner that evening, she was missing out on some fun with the Williams boys. Her chest squeezed.
Had she known Dante was going to invite her along with him and Noah to Christa and Hunter’s place tonight, she would’ve told her sisters to choose a different date. Although, it was almost two years since the Harrison sisters had gotten together for their monthly dinner night.
She’d hardly seen Olivia since returning to Harland.
Feeling a little frisky, she shoved her feet into a pair of turquoise cowgirl boots with fringe. With luck, by the time she got back tonight, Noah would be fast asleep, and Dante would invite her over for a nightcap and some boot-knocking.
Heat raced through her body at the thought, but the honk of a horn had her jumping with a start. That would be Emily.
Her sister offered to pick her up since it was on her way to the Tex Pub where they were meeting Olivia. They both agreed it made no sense to take two vehicles, plus it gave Amanda permission to enjoy more than one glass of sangria.
Win, win.
She rushed through the house, her boots clacking off the wood floors on her flight to the side door. On her way through the kitchen, she grabbed her purse from the island counter and stopped long enough to twist the lock on the knob before pulling the door shut behind her.
Less than ten minutes later, they parked in the crowded lot of the pub and got out, the muffled beat from the live band meeting their ears.
Emily grinned. “Oh, I bet Olivia’s thrilled it’s live band night.”
Amanda grimaced. “Maybe we should go to the diner.”
“Absolutely not. She needs to loosen up.” Emily grabbed her hand and tugged her inside.
She blinked to adjust to the lighting and felt kind of sorry for her older sister. The place was hopping. The music was loud, and although she and Emily didn’t mind this type of atmosphere, it always seemed to rattle Olivia.
But Emily was right. Their sister spent most of her life in college, then medical school, then training and now she worked at being the best ophthalmologist in south Texas.
“There she is,” Emily all but shouted.
Amanda spotted her sister waving from a table in the back, near the bar. She smiled. Of course, that’s where they’d find her. The music wasn’t as loud back there. But at least they’d be able to hear each other talk.
When they reached the table, Olivia rose to her feet, a rare smile lighting her pretty face. A face her sister thought she hid behind a pair of oversized, black-rimmed glasses. Little did Olivia know they made her look sexy in a librarian kind of way, along with her up-twist hairstyle. A lot of men gave her a second look, but her sister was either oblivious or not interested. Perhaps both. The last time Amanda could remember Olivia happy and carefree had been before she broke up with her high school boyfriend.
“There you two are. I was beginning to think I was stood up.” Olivia laughed, pulling Amanda in for a hug. “And you…it’s so great to see you again, Mandy.”
Her older sister was the only person who continued to call her by her childhood nickname.
“It’s great to see you too, Livy ,” she replied with her sister’s old nickname.
Emily cleared her throat. “What am I? Chopped liver?”
Amanda and her sister drew apart laughing.
“No, of course not.” Olivia grinned, hugging Emily. “Liver parfait maybe, but never chopped liver.”
“Haha. Very funny.” Emily scoffed as the two released each other, and they all sat down.
They’d barely scooted in their chairs when a server arrived to deliver a pitcher of sangria, three glasses, and three menus, promising to return in a few minutes to take their orders.
Olivia grinned at them over the pitcher. “I took the liberty of ordering it…seeing as you two were running late.”
“Sweet! Thanks.” She grinned.
The woman was efficient and organized to a fault. Those television organization shows had nothing on Olivia Harrison. In fact, her sister could teach them a few tricks.
“Yeah, thanks, I think.” Emily frowned, pouring out three glasses. “Not sure if that was a jab, but since you supplied a peace offering at the same time, I’ll let it slide.”
Olivia snorted. “How magnanimous of you.”
“I know.” Emily grinned, passing out the glasses.
Amanda lifted hers. “You always were my favorite.”
“Hey, I thought I was your favorite.” Emily fake frowned.
Amanda cocked her head and lifted a brow. “How do you know that remark wasn’t aimed at you?”
Emily narrowed her gaze. “Was it?”
“No.” She grinned then took a sip.
“See? I’ve always been her favorite.” Olivia smirked, and Emily stuck out her tongue.
Amanda set her glass down. “I was talking to my drink.”
A second later, they all laughed and were still smiling when their server returned to take their orders.
“It’s good to have the Harrison Trio back together again,” Emily said after the server disappeared into the kitchen.
Olivia nodded. “Sure is.”
She wrinkled her brow. “Yeah. Sorry, it’s been so long.”
“Hey, don’t be sorry.” Olivia set a hand on hers. “How was your UK adventure? I want to hear all about it.”
Inwardly cringing as memories of Lyle’s face, the police interrogation room, and her trashed place flooded her mind, Amanda pulled her hand out from under her sister’s and sat back.
Emily frowned. It matched Olivia’s.
Shoot.
“Didn’t you like it over there?” Olivia asked, her frown increasing.
Inhaling, she pushed aside the bad, knowing her sisters expected details. “Yes, teaching was fun. The students loved my accent.”
Laughing, her sisters visibly relaxed, so she regaled them with her adventures in cuisine—some good, some not so good—visits to London landmarks, and trips to the peaceful English countryside.
Her personal favorite, until it became the last time she’d been out with her friend. His disappearance two months later had tainted those memories.
She straightened in her seat and shrugged. “It was nice, but…you know, not home.”
Emily nodded. “Yeah, I know. Houston was nice, but I’m glad to be back in Harland.”
“Well, here’s to celebrating both of you and your homecomings,” Olivia said, lifting her drink.
She readily raised hers. “Thanks. And yes.”
“To Amanda and Harland County.” Emily held up her glass.
She eagerly sipped her drink, enjoying the cold, tangy, sweet beverage.
“So, Mandy, Mom told me you applied for a job in the school district. How’s that going?”
She shrugged. “Good, I think. I just had a phone screening.” And her world rocked afterward. “Hoping that leads to a trial run. We’ll see.”
Her body heated as the memories washed through her of Dante and the things he’d done to her with his hard, ripped, magnificent body.
“Well, it must’ve gone well. You’re looking pleased,” Olivia remarked.
Emily eyed her closely and then smiled. “Yeah, she is looking pleased all right, but I think it has more to do with her new neighbor.”
“Oh? Do tell.” Olivia leaned closer. “Who is he? I want the deets.”
Heat seeped into Amanda’s cheeks. “His name is Dante.”
“Oh, great name,” Olivia murmured, a smile tugging her lips.
Amanda nodded. “I know, right? He’s a single father with an adorable two-and-a-half-year-old little boy.”
Her sister’s smile faded. “Sounds like it could be complicated waters.”
She nodded. “Yeah, but we’re taking it slow.”
“Dante is another of Holden’s military brothers who now works for ESI,” Emily said, before drinking her sangria.
“Those guys are easy on the eyes,” Olivia said. “Hey, wait. Is he the Shemar Moore lookalike? I saw him at the bakery with the guys the other day.”
Emily snapped her fingers and set her glass down. “Yeah, that’s him. Like Shemar in his old F.B.I. TV role.”
Oh, wow, her sisters were right. Dante did resemble the actor back then.
“Well, I think it’s smart that you’re taking it slow,” Olivia said.
Emily snorted. “Not sure sleeping with him is taking it slow.”
That heat returned with a vengeance and scorched Amanda’s cheeks. “Keep your voice down,” she muttered, glancing around, hoping no one heard her sister.
The band was still playing, and the people at the nearby tables were too busy eating and conversing to pay them any mind.
Thank God.
She didn’t relish sharing her sex life with the public. Or even with her sisters, for that matter.
“Fine, but don’t go trying to deny it,” Emily said, a smug grin on her lips. “It’s as plain as the blush on your face.”
An apologetic gleam entered Olivia’s eyes. “Sorry, Mandy. She’s right. It always gives you away.”
Blowing out a breath, Amanda reached for her drink. “I know. Dammit.”
“Don’t sweat it.” Her sister shook her head and her curls bobbed. “I think it’s great. You two are a good match, and you’re good for little Noah, too.”
Warmth swept through Amanda’s chest, and it wasn’t from the sangria sliding down her throat. She set her glass on the table and smiled. “Thanks, Emily. I hope so.”
She loved playing with Noah, encouraging his imagination, his curiosity, and helping to foster a sense of responsibility at the sanctuary.
“I’m curious,” Emily said, leaning closer. “Does Dante have washboard abs like Shemar?”
Amanda gasped. “Emily!”
“What?” Her sister blinked. “He’s former Delta, former Phoenix police, and now ESI. I’m betting his abs would give Shemar a run for his money.”
“Washboard abs aren’t all they’re cracked up to be,” Olivia stated, a slight frown on her brow.
Amanda shared a look with Emily, then they both nodded and said, “Yes, yes they are.”
But the abs debate was tabled when their server arrived with their meals. For the next two hours, Amanda enjoyed her meal, the good company, and even a few line dances with Emily.
Olivia insisted on sitting them out.
“One of these days, we’ll get her out there,” Emily said as they walked back to the table after another dance.
Olivia stood, tossed some money on the table, and slung her purse over her shoulder.
“I’m sorry. Don’t leave,” Amanda said, setting a hand on her sister’s arm. “We won’t dance anymore.”
“Oh, it’s not that. I like seeing you two have fun.” Her sister attempted to smile, but her face was a little too pale. “But I have some appointments in the morning, so it’s time I called it a night.” Olivia pulled her in for a quick hug. “It’s nice to have you home.”
“Thanks,” she said, and moved so Emily could hug Olivia.
“Same time and place next month?” Emily asked, giving Olivia a quick hug.
Olivia drew back and frowned. “How about we meet at the bakery and go straight for dessert?”
Emily grinned. “Oh, I like how you think.”
“Count me in,” Amanda said.
“Good. It’s a date,” her sister said, then turned and scurried through the crowd and out the door.
“Okay, so that wasn’t weird or anything,” Emily said, retaking her seat.
She frowned. “I know. Seemed like she was in a hurry all of a sudden. Did it seem that way to you?”
Emily shrugged. “She always did dance to her own tune.”
Nodding, Amanda sighed. “True.” But she couldn’t help but feel something had happened while they were on the dance floor.
“So, who gets her share of the sangria?” Emily asked.
Amanda’s attention shifted to the last serving in the pitcher. “That’ll be me, because you’re driving, remember?”
Emily scowled. “Bitch.”
“True.” She laughed, knowing her sister was teasing since she and Olivia had switched to drinking water an hour ago. “But you love me anyway.”
Now her sister snorted. “Like I have a choice. You’re family.”
“I know.” She laughed, adding the last of the sangria to her glass. “I feel bad for you. It means you’re stuck with me.”
Snickering, her sister cocked her head. “Means you’re stuck with me, too.”
“I guess we’re each other’s cross we must bear,” she said.
“Something like that,” Emily replied, then a smug grin stretched across her face. “So, I take it you’ll be at the sanctuary tomorrow to help out.”
“Yep.”
“And to see the two new favorite guys in your life?” her sister added.
“Yep,” she replied again, and just thinking about spending the day with them sent a rush of warmth through her chest.
“Thought so,” Emily said, then her gaze turned serious. “And it really is great to have you back home.”
“Thanks. It’s nice to be back in Harland County.”
“My sentiments exactly,” a vaguely familiar male voice said from behind.
Amanda turned to glance at the newcomer and smiled as she recognized Olivia’s high school boyfriend.
“I think we just detected what made our sister scamper away,” Emily muttered before rising to her feet. “Why, Josh Masters, as I live and breathe.”
“Hey, Emily,” he said, pulling her sister in for a hug. “I’d know those curls anywhere.”
Still smiling, she waited her turn to greet the black-haired, blue-eyed dreamboat, as a rodeo magazine once called him. “Hi, Josh.”
“Hi, Amanda.” After releasing Emily, he glanced at her up and down.
She frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“Just checking to see if you had a horseshoe in your hand,” came his deadpan reply.
The guy had been a witness to her horseshoe debacle all those years ago.
“Why, you!” She punched his shoulder before he hugged her close. “I was going to say it was great to see you again, but now I don’t know.”
“I thought that was great,” Emily muttered.
He released Amanda and smiled at them both. “It’s great to see you two again. Would you mind if I sit with you?”
“Mind? Of course not.” Amanda motioned for him to take Olivia’s vacant seat, noting several women giggling nearby.
“Yeah, it looks like you could use some bodyguards,” Emily said, eyeing the women. “We’d be glad to help.”
“Thanks.” Josh sighed as he sat down.
“I heard you retired from the rodeo circuit,” Emily said, reaching for her water. “What happened? No more records to break?”
He chuckled. “No. No more bones to break.”
Amanda winced. She remembered reading he’d broken his left leg for the second time a few years back. “So now what are you gonna do?
“Well, I just bought some land off my cousins’ husbands’ family.”
She frowned.
“Oh, the McCalls.” Emily smiled. “I forgot Kerry and Jordan’s last name used to be Masters.”
He nodded. “Yeah, they’re my cousins. I thought I’d try raising some bulls for the circuit. Connor’s gonna give me some pointers.”
Connor was Kerri’s husband and a cattle rancher. He was also Mac’s cousin. She smiled. That six degrees of separation thing fit most people in Harland.
“That’s great to hear,” her sister said.
“Yeah.” She smiled. “Good for you.”
Emily’s phone rang. She frowned at the screen. “Uh oh. Work,” she said before answering the call. “When? Okay. I’ll be there in ten.” She ended the call and sent her an apologetical look. “Sorry. Injured cow in the road. I gotta go.” She transferred her gaze to Josh. “Would you mind giving my sister a ride home?”
“Of course not. No problem,” he replied.
Emily started to fish in her purse, but Amanda stilled her hand. “I’ll get the bill. You just go. And be careful.”
“Okay. I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” Emily told her, then rose to her feet, and Josh did the same. “It was nice seeing you again, Josh.”
“Likewise,” he replied.
Within seconds, her sister was rushing out the door, leaving her with Olivia’s old boyfriend.
While he drank a glass of sweet tea, she sipped her sangria, and they talked about old times. Neither of them brought up Olivia. Whatever happened was their business and between the two of them.
All she knew was they’d graduated, then broke up. He joined the rodeo circuit and Olivia went away to college that fall.
Josh had always been like an older brother to her and Emily, so she enjoyed sitting down and finishing her drink with him.
But more women gathered nearby, smiling at Josh and batting their eyelashes.
“I can get another ride home,” she told him, having noticed Carter and Mel sitting with Rylee and Dex near the dance floor.
“No,” he said, appearing to get more and more uncomfortable.
“Are you sure? This way you can join your entourage?” she couldn’t help but ask.
“Hell, no.” He shuddered, not even bothering to look at the women occupying all the tables behind him. “You ready?”
She nodded.
She was ready. Dante would definitely be home by now, and hopefully, Noah would be asleep.
“I don’t think this building could hold any more of your buckle bunnies.” She grinned. “They seem to be multiplying like…well…rabbits.”
Josh chuckled and swiped the bill off the table before she could grab it.
“You don’t have to do that,” she protested.
He tipped his head and smiled. “Least I can do for you helping me.”
She frowned. “But you’re giving me a ride home.”
“And you’re giving me a way out.” He winked, his baby blue eyes twinkling. “So, we’re even.”
He set his hand on the small of her back as they weaved through the crowd to the register where he paid their bills before he hurried them out the door.
The cool night breeze felt good on her skin. She smiled. “You know, I’m the third Harrison sister to rush out the door tonight.”
He stiffened slightly before he released her. “Ah, so did Livvy earlier.”
“Yeah.” Amanda bit her lip. “She had to go home. She has patients to see in the morning.”
He nodded and didn’t ask any questions about her sister. He just pointed to an old blue Ford. “My truck is over there.”
She raised a brow as they walked. “Is that the same one you had in high school?”
“Yes,” he replied. “If there’s one lesson I’ve learned over the years, it’s that you never throw away a good thing.”
Amanda wondered if it was the truck or her sister that he was talking about.
Maybe both.
During their short ride to her place, she caught him up to speed on Emily’s life and hers, but never mentioned Olivia.
Amanda liked Josh a lot, but well, Olivia was still her sister, and she didn’t feel right talking about her to him behind her sister’s back.
Not that he asked. But still, she didn’t offer, either.
When he pulled into her driveway a few minutes later, they were talking horseshoes and the propensity they had to become a weapon. She was laughing when he pulled into her driveway, and still smiling after he walked her to the door. Once she went inside, he climbed back into his truck and drove away.
Amanda glanced over at Dante’s house. She thought she’d noticed a light on, but it was dark. She waited another minute, hoping that maybe he’d heard the truck leave, which would signal her return.
Still no light.
Disappointment mixed with uncertainty. Amanda chewed her lower lip, wondering if she should go over and knock lightly on the door. But what would she say? “Hello, I’m here for a booty call?”
She shook her head. Even though that was what she was looking for, she couldn’t just go over there and say that.
Could she?
No.
Sighing, she locked the door and headed toward her bedroom, glancing at her dress and her pretty fringed footwear. She was a little bummed that her dress wouldn’t end up on the floor like the other one, and she’d been looking forward to knocking some boots.
Hopefully, tomorrow that opportunity would arise.