Chapter 2
Duke’s excitement over introducing his sister to his buddy and Suzy was momentarily paused when Suzy frowned, scrunching the lines in her face for just a second before flattening her lips into a tight smile.
Strange.
Suzy was always happy around everyone. He’d expected her to throw her arms around Heather and insist on becoming best friends right away. His stomach muscles tightened. This was stupid. Suzy’s reaction to his family shouldn’t matter, but damn it, it did.
He mentally shook off the weirdness and dipped his chin toward Lane. “This is my business partner, Lane Tipton. This is his house, which is perfect since it’s so freaking big. We’re able to run Rough Ride Security from here.”
Heather swept across the room and held out a hand for Lane to shake.
“I have to admit, I haven’t heard too much about you and I’m dying to learn everything.
Is that Parker? Because him I have heard about.
” She turned to beam at the baby. “And I’m guessing Suzy?
You work here too, right? You, Duke’s said plenty about. ”
Duke bit back a groan.
Suzy’s dark eyebrows rose high on her smooth brow, and she pinned him with a curious stare. “Is that right?”
“Please excuse my sister,” he said before Heather could add any more embarrassment.
“Sister?” Suzy asked, brows somehow even higher.
Tilting his head, he tried to decipher her ever-changing expression since he’d walked in the room. “Yeah. My little sister. Heather drove up from Texas and surprised me. Not sure what she really wants, but we’ll get to that later.”
Suzy’s shoulders relaxed and a genuine smile lit her face.
Lane snorted. “Showing up unannounced sounds like a family trait.”
Heather turned curious eyes Duke’s way. “Now that sounds like a story I need to hear.”
Duke rolled his eyes. “Not much to tell. Lane’s still annoyed I came to town and ruined his plans to sulk and piss away his life.”
Suzy’s chuckle rolled up the back of his neck and curled his toes.
“You really have Lane pegged,” Suzy said. “But there’s no reason to get your sister caught up in the middle of your bickering. If she sticks around long enough, she’ll see plenty of that.”
The warmth he loved so much about Suzy flowed through her voice and the pinched expression she’d worn seconds before morphed into something softer, more familiar. Maybe he’d imagined her initial reaction.
Or maybe it was something more.
Either way, he didn’t have the time to analyze it now.
“We don’t bicker,” Lane grumbled under his breath. “Makes us sound like an old married couple or something.”
“You should be so lucky to land someone like me,” Duke said, grinning. “But Suzy’s right. No need to stand around here and bark at each other. Let’s head into town and grab some breakfast. Who’s down for The Dusty Armadillo?”
“Perfect,” Suzy said. “Then Heather can meet Celine.”
Heather wrinkled her nose. “Are you taking me to a restaurant or some animal rescue where I’m going to get leprosy?”
Lane struggled against a grin of his own as he marched across the room and snatched his cowboy hat from the little table pushed against the wall. “Better not let Celine hear you talk that way. She can get pretty feisty.”
Suzy rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry, she’s only feisty with Lane. And this place has the best food in town. I promise. Do you want to ride with me? Then you can tell me all kinds of stories about when Duke was a kid.”
“How about you ride with us while Lane takes Parker?” Duke cut in, stopping Suzy’s plan before it could grow legs and run.
The last thing he needed was his sister alone with the woman he had no business crushing on.
A future with Suzy might be out of the question, but that didn’t mean he wanted all of his embarrassing secrets spilled.
Lane plucked Parker out of Suzy’s arms and headed for the door. “Fine by me. Little man is the best company out of everyone.”
“I’d take offense to that if I didn’t agree.” Suzy found her long, beige coat on the free-standing rack and shrugged inside of it. “If you don’t mind, I’ll drive. I have an appointment to get my oil changed in a couple of hours. I’ll just meet you guys there.”
Duke frowned, hating the idea of her being alone. Even if only for the short drive into town. “You sure?”
Her mouth slid up in a sexy smirk. “Yeah. I think I know my way there.”
He dipped his chin but kept his thoughts to himself as she walked past him and led the way outside.
Twisting her lips to the side, Heather stared up at him. “Well, that’s interesting.”
“What?”
“Oh, I think you know.”
It was his turn to roll his eyes. “Shut up. Let’s go.”
Heather laughed behind him, the sound grating on his nerves, but he kept any hint of reaction tucked deep inside. If she sensed weakness, she’d pounce.
Once behind the wheel, he started the engine and took off behind Suzy’s SUV. The heat of Heather’s stare singed his cheek, but his focus remained out the windshield.
“Aren’t there more interesting things to look at other than me?” He finally snapped.
Heather shrugged. “Not when your face is all red like that. You really like her, don’t you?”
Sweat slicked his palms. “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”
“I haven’t seen you act this way around a woman in a long time.” Heather continued as if she hadn’t heard a word he’d said. “Maybe since Chrissy Evans.”
The name was dropped like an atomic bomb, stealing his breath. “Suzy’s nothing like Chrissy.”
“Not saying she is. I mean, Suzy doesn’t seem like the type of woman who’d waste years of her life hoping you’d come back to town and pick up where you left off. Don’t get me wrong, I always liked her, but it’s always been a bit sad the way she pines for you. I mean, you’re not that great.”
His half-hearted attempt at a smile probably came off as more of a grimace, but he had to at least acknowledge Heather’s attempt at levity.
As far as his ex-girlfriend was concerned, though, nothing could lighten his mood. Nothing could erase the bad memories that hunted him like damn hound dog. Because Chrissy might appear like the sad, injured party to the folks back home, but he knew the truth.
And the truth was downright terrifying.
A warm wall of air greeted Suzy as she stepped into The Dusty Armadillo.
A few weathered men with their cowboy hats on the bar sat on backless stools with steaming mugs of coffee in front of them.
A pair of young mothers took over a table in the far corner, their kids sitting on their knees at the table with coloring books keeping their attention.
Celine ferried plates from the kitchen to the kids then hurried to the front of the restaurant with a smile on her face. “Morning. Didn’t expect to see you.”
Suzy gave her soon-to-be sister a quick hug. “An impromptu breakfast party.”
Celine glanced over Suzy’s shoulder. “Party of one?”
“Not quite. Duke’s sister’s in town so we thought we’d bring her for some good food. They just parked, and Lane’s bringing Parker.”
“Then I’ll grab y’all a table in my section,” Celine said, plucking a handful of menus from behind the hostess stand. She weaved between empty four-top tables to get to one in the center of the room. She plopped a menu at each setting. “What’s Duke’s sister like?”
Suzy shrugged. “She seems nice. At first, I thought he was bringing a girlfriend around.”
“I bet you loved that.” Celine widened her eyes with mock sincerity.
Unease bunched Suzy’s nerves, and she plopped in a chair. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Uh-huh,” Celine said, the laughter in her voice loud and clear.
Suzy hid her face behind the menu, even though she’d memorized everything the restaurant offered years ago. She’d spent a lot of time with Celine over the past few months, and it was clear the other woman could read her better than she thought.
Either that or she wasn’t nearly as calm, cool, and collected as she strived for when in Duke’s company.
God, she hoped it wasn’t the latter. It was one thing for Celine to have suspicions about her feelings for Duke, another for Duke himself to know.
“Here they come,” Celine said. “Nothing like a little mid-shift pick-me-up from my family.”
Suzy watched Celine cross over to Lane and take Parker from his strong arms before hugging them both close. She’d never imagined her brother would have a family and was beyond grateful things had worked out for him and Celine.
Her gaze drifted to Duke and heat climbed up the back of her neck before she refocused on the menu in her hands.
Fate might have swept in to help her brother find happiness, but that didn’t mean it’d do the same for her.
Duke was a flirtatious cowboy who’d stormed into town without a care in the world.
He was too busy making the whole damn town fall at his feet to worry about her—or heck—even entertain turning their friendship into something more.
And she was completely fine with that. A relationship with anyone was the last thing she needed. Experience had taught her men were best kept at a distance.
Especially sexy cowboys with quick wit and a smile that weakened her resolve to keep her focus on herself and her future.
“This place is adorable,” Heather said and took the chair next to Suzy. “I have to check out the jukebox before we leave.”
“Feel free, but you better like 70’s classic rock or you’ll be sorely disappointed.”
“I bet I can find something. What’s good here?” Heather kept her menu on the table and ran her finger over the laminated page as she read through the selections.
“Anything, really.” Suzy glanced over at the entrance. Duke stood in the corner on his cellphone while Lane spoke with Celine, a deep frown pulling down his face.
Not like that wasn’t normal. Before Celine and Parker became permanent fixtures in his life, his normal persona screamed toxic loner.
“Duke and Lane coming?” Suzy asked.
Heather shrugged. “He got a call on the way here. Sounded like a possible job. When we’re done eating, can we walk around town a bit?
I swear, my hometown is no more than a post office, a church, and a four-way stop.
This whole square is lined with little shops, and I noticed people putting up holiday decorations.
I want to grab a coffee and just wander around. If I’m lucky, maybe it’ll even snow.”
“Oh trust me, at some point soon it will snow. And the coffee will freeze in your cup before you get to the first store.”
Heather’s hazel eyes widened. “All part of the charm.”
Duke made his way to the table, his frown looking a lot more unnatural than the one Lane always wore. He held his cowboy hat in his hand, which dangled at his side.
“Everything all right?” Suzy asked.
He shoved a hand through his hair and sighed. “Not really. Just spoke with Mr. Gurly. Someone smashed a store window. He wants some security measures put in place right away.”
“Oh no, was anyone hurt? Anything stolen?”
Duke shook his head. “Nah, probably just some kids making trouble. But can’t fault the guy for wanting to do what he can to prevent any more problems. He wants me and Lane to get to the store as soon as possible, which seems like overkill, but gotta give the client what he wants.”
“You two go while Suzy and I get to know each other better.” Heather aimed a sweet-as-sin smile at her brother.
The way Duke’s eyes narrowed sent a tiny thrill through Suzy. “Do you have a problem with that?”
Clearing his throat, Duke made his expression passive. “Not at all. Just feel bad I’m dumping her with you is all.”
Heather smacked his arm with her menu. “You’ve always been such an ass.”
He flashed the cocky grin she’d come to expect—and, God help her, love.
Celine and Lane joined the group. Parker sat on Celine’s hip.
“I hate to ask you this,” Celine said. “But can you keep an eye on Parker for a little while? Lane and Duke need to run to Gurly’s Candystore.”
“Only if Lane brings me back my favorite chocolate covered peanuts.”
“You’d use your nephew as a bartering tool for candy?” Lane asked, his voice dropped low in disbelief.
“I’d use anything for a reason to get free chocolate.”
Heather laughed. “I think you and I are going to get along just fine.”
“Okay, I’ll get your peanuts. We shouldn’t be long.”
Suzy took Parker from Celine and set him on her lap. “Take your time. We’ll eat and then I’ll show Heather around a little. I have a stroller in my car for this little guy.”
“Perfect.” Celine kissed Parker’s cheek then gave Lane a quick peck on the lips. “I have to get back to work. I’ll be around in a second to take your orders.”
“All right, let’s head out,” Lane said. “Thanks for the help.”
Duke hesitated, darting his gaze between Heather and Suzy.
“Something wrong?” Heather asked.
He grunted something Suzy couldn’t understand then situated his cowboy hat back on his head. “Be good.”
“I always am,” Heather said.
Suzy chuckled and gave Duke a little wave before he stalked out the door. “I’ve never seen him so rattled.”
“It’s easy to get him worked up if you know what buttons to push,” Heather said. “And right now, he has a giant red button on his forehead that says Suzy.”
Suzy coughed to loosen the tightness in her throat. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Heather tilted her head to the side, her long hair pooling over one shoulder. “I think you know exactly what I mean, and maybe after today, we’ll both have a better understanding of what the heck’s happening between you and my brother.”
Heat invaded her face and she struggled not to squirm in the hard, wooden chair. Maybe spending the morning with Duke’s little sister wasn’t such a good idea. She’d have to watch every word she said or her true feelings might be exposed.
Feelings she planned to keep tucked away forever. The last thing she needed was for Heather to out her, or for another cowboy to break her heart.