Ask Me to Stay (Honky Tonk Angels #4) (5 page)

Between permits, surveys, setting up the office and trying to fill key positions, he felt stretched a bit thin. Not that he’d complain. He was more excited than he’d been in a long time. The potential for what they were doing was staggering and he felt lucky to be at the helm. It was not just a career builder – it was historic.

“Well, I’ll let you get to it, Cooper. Have a good one.”

“You too, Jayce. See you.” Cooper watched Jayce head across the street toward the bakery.

“Mr. Quinlan?” A voice to his right had him stopping.

Eldon Ross, a local, walked up to him. At present, Eldon was the only realtor in town. Cooper had asked Eldon about helping him find house. He had privacy in the Creek House on Kyle’s ranch, but wanted a place of his own.

“Mr. Ross. Good morning.” Cooper shook Eldon’s hand.

“I have a couple of places for you to take a look at if you have time this week.”

“Do you have any literature or photos?” Cooper wasn’t sure about fitting in more appointments.

“Actually, I went over and took some photos and pulled all the information available from the county tax office.” Eldon offered Cooper a folder.

“That was very kind. Thank you. If you don’t mind, I’ll look these over this morning and get back to you before midday to let you know if there are any I’d like to view.”

“Sounds good. Have a good day, Mr. Quinlan.”

“The same to you.”

Cooper tucked the folder under his arm and proceeded across the street.

That was when he noticed her. Hannah Sweet. She was standing in front of the window of the new boutique. A moment later, the new lady in town – Callie Williams – parked along the sidewalk and got out of her car. Hannah hurried over, lifted Callie’s little girl from the car seat and chatted for a minute with Callie.  When Callie took the child and walked to the bakery, Hannah’s gaze went back to the store display.

Cooper hurried across the street and walked up behind her. “Good morning, Hannah.”

She turned her head. “Good morning, Cooper. You must be headed for your new office.”

“I am. What finds you in town this early? Working at the bakery?”

“Yes. I just finished and was headed to the bar to meet the beer distributor.”

“So, just taking a moment to peruse the offers?” He gestured toward the window display.

“Hmmm, yes.” She smiled and looked at the dresses in the window.

Cooper noticed how her eyes went to a sleeveless, black lace dress. He could imagine her in it. “That black dress looks like you.”

“It does?” Surprise was evident on her face. “Well, that’s a very sweet thing to say, but I doubt I’d ever have occasion to wear it. Even if I could afford it.”

Cooper chuckled. “I don’t suppose it is appropriate attire for the diner.

“Or the bar.”

“San Antonio isn’t that far away and does have some nice restaurants, from what I understand. Wes mentioned there are occasionally good Broadway shows at – what was it – the Majestic Theater?

“Oh yes, the Majestic. I managed to save enough to see three shows there while I was in college.”

“So, you’re a Broadway fan?”

“I am, but don’t tell anyone. We’re not exactly living in a cultural mecca here.”

Cooper chuckled. “No, not exactly. Still, it’s nice to meet a fellow enthusiast. We should have coffee again soon – or maybe dinner, and discuss our favorites.”

He saw the way her smile faded and the look of nervousness that overcame her.

Wow, what had just happened?

“Well, I better hurry along. It’s nice seeing you, Cooper. Have a good day.”

“And you, Hannah. Hope to see you again soon.”

“Yes. Bye now.”

Jayce had just finished filling up his truck when Callie pulled up and parked behind him. He walked back to her car as she got out.

“Morning.”

“Good morning.” She opened the fuel door of the car.

“Where’s Lily?”

“At the bakery.” She paused to grab the gas nozzle and insert it into the car. “I needed to run errands and stopped in for a coffee and Lily had a fit to go to Stella. I guess she’s gotten to know her since KC has been babysitting. Anyway, Stella said to leave Lily with her while I ran and filled up the car. What about you?”

“Waiting on a load of materials to be delivered and thought I’d grab a cup of coffee and some sweet rolls. Want to join?”

“Sure. I’ll meet you back there in a minute.”

Jayce headed over to the bakery and parked in front of it. A minute later, Callie parked behind him and got out of her car. Together, they walked into the bakery. There sat Lily in a highchair behind the counter, her face dusted with powdered sugar and both fists full of donut.

“My eat eat Mommy.”

“I see that Sweet Pea.” Callie looked to Stella. “Has she given you any trouble?”

“Are you kidding? She’s a peach, this one. Morning Jayce.”

“Morning Stella. You happen to have any fritters today?”

“Why yes I do.”

“Could I get four to go? And two coffees?”

“Coming right up. Callie, you want anything?”

“No, I’m good. How about I take Lily off your hands and get her cleaned up.”

“If you insist, but she’s really no bother.”

“You’re so kind, Stella. Thank you.” Callie walked around behind the counter and emptied Lily’s hands of crumbled donut. “Let’s get you cleaned up, bug-a-boo.”

It was going to take more than napkins to get all the sticky off Lily’s hands and face. Callie took her to the restroom, cleaned her up and when they returned, Jayce was waiting.

“You want to ride over to the park and let her play while we have our coffee?” he asked.

“Yes, that’d be great.”

“Okay.” He looked at Stella. “Thanks, Mrs. Stella. Tell Billy I said hello. Oh, and tell him Dad’s going to drop by later today to bring some fish. He and Hank Brown went out to Willie Dean’s lake last weekend and caught some nice sized bass. He thought you and Billy might want some.”

“Oh, you know Billy’s loves his fish. Tell Jason thank you. And have a good day, Jayce.”

“You too, Mrs. Stella.”

Jayce escorted Callie to her car, then climbed into his truck. He waved at Nellie Mae and Netta when he spotted them standing on the sidewalk.

*****

“Well now, would you look at that?” Nellie Mae nudged her best friend, Netta, then pointed across the street.

“Interesting,” Netta commented. “Very interesting. Gossip is that Mr. Oil Barron has been making eyes at Cody Sweet for the last month. The way I heard it, he sat at the bar for an entire evening last month, the two of them talking every free moment she had.”

“I know. And I heard the looks they were sharing were hot enough to start a fire.”

“Well, the next thing you know he was starting some sparks with Hannah, that’s for sure – and not for the first time. You know Mable saw them at the gas station and Ginny Lyn saw them at the cleaners.”

“And don’t forget how he snuck over to the bar to carry on with Hannah when Cody was off one night.”

“I tell you, in my day, that kind of thing wouldn’t be tolerated.”

“Amen to that.”

They continued toward the diner, watching as Hannah and Cooper parted company. Both of them waved as Hannah got in her car, pulled out and started down the street. A moment later, Jayce Weathers and the new girl in town, Callie Williams parked in front of the bakery. They both went inside.

“Well – oh my.” Nellie May stopped dead in her tracks and Netta followed suit a moment later.

“They might not be together,” Netta offered.

“Or they might. You know I’ve got a little hitch in my get-along. Let’s take a seat on that bench there for just a minute.”

Nellie Mae and Netta sat, watching the door to the bakery. It wasn’t long before Jayce and Callie walked out of the bakery. He was carrying Callie’s little girl and smiling at Callie like she was the prom queen.

“Well, well,” Netta said and got to her feet. “Looks like Jayce is slumming these days.”

“Slumming?” Nellie Mae’s attention turned to Netta. She pushed herself up, holding onto the arm of the bench for added support.

“Didn’t I tell you?” Netta grabbed Nellie Mae’s arm and steered her over closer to the building, under the shade of the awning. “Doris Beesley had her grandson at the park last week and ran into that gal, Callie. She had on a sleeveless top – you know, those ones with the little spaghetti straps? Anyway, Doris said all the skin showing on that girl’s back was covered in tattoos. Covered.”

“Oh, that’s just trashy.” Nellie Mae’s gaze returned to Jayce and Callie, standing beside her car. “And you know, I heard she’s from Nashville and we all know there’s some dens of iniquity in that city.”

“Amen, sister. Why, she’s probably one of those biker girls, or a strippers or something equally unsavory. I mean, who totes a little child like that half way across the country with no job to go to and no place to stay? If it wasn’t for the Sweets, that poor little baby would be sleeping in that car, I bet.”

“She probably thinks Jayce has money,” Nellie said. “Thinks she can latch onto him using that baby as bait and hit the money train.”

“Gold digger,” Netta added.

“Trashy one, at that. Poor little child, to be punished with a mother like that. I bet she drinks and does drugs as well. Just look how thin she is. It’s probably the drugs.”

“She could be riddled with disease. Someone should warn Jayce about that one. And my god, she’s living in the Sweets’ ranch with Cody. What in the world are Stella and Billy thinking, letting that low-rent hussy stay in their house and work at the bar? I tell you, Netta, I just don’t know what this town’s coming to.

“Oh, I know. Come on.” Netta tugged on Nellie Mae’s arm. “Let’s skip the diner and have a pastry this morning. Might be interesting to chat with Stella.”

Nellie giggled. “Indeed.”

They hurried to the bakery. It was busy this morning. They secured a table, helped themselves to coffee and waited until Stella spotted them.

She hurried over to their table. “Good morning, ladies. What can I get you?”

“Well, you know I’d purely love one of those delicious apple fritters,” Netta said.

“Oh, me too,” Nellie Mae added.

“I’ll get them right out.” Stella gave them a smile.

The moment she left, Netta leaned in over the table and whispered, “We need to get her talking about all the new people in town. That’ll set us right up to bring up Cooper Quinlan and that hussy, Callie Williams.”

“Good plan.”

With satisfied smiles, they sipped at their coffee and waited. As they waited, Wes Pursell entered. He went straight to the coffee station, prepared two cups and then walked to the register.

“You know Cody Sweet broke up with him,” Nellie Mae whispered. “Dropped him like a hot potato when that Cooper Quinlan showed up.”

“I hear she gets around,” Netta replied and nodded knowingly. “Poor Stella. I bet it just horrifies her.”

“Oh, don’t you know?” Nellie Mae straightened as Stella returned with their order.

“Here you are, ladies.”

“Well, how are you doing Stella?” Nellie Mae asked.

“Just fine, Mrs. Baker. And you?”

“Just peachy hon, just peachy. I hear tell your girl has a new beau.”

“Pardon?”

“Cody. She’s seeing that oil man, Cooper Quinlan. Or is that Hannah who’s stepping out with him? Maybe I’m confused. I did see Hannah with him this morning.”

Stella’s smile vanished. “I think you’re mistaken, Mrs. Baker. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get a big order ready for the school today. The fifth graders are having a party.”

“Oh, well don’t let us keep you, honey.”

“You have a nice day ladies.”

As Stella hurried off, Netta nodded at Nellie Mae. “I tell you, those Sweet girls are getting to be regular rounders, Nellie Mae.”

“Indeed they are. And fighting over a man, at that.”

Netta nodded again. “The girls are going to have a fit when they hear this. And oh shoot, we didn’t get to say anything to Stella about the hussy.”

“We’ll stop by tomorrow. And oh, don’t you know the girls will just die when they hear about Stella’s girls? How much do you think we should tell them?”

“Well, I don’t know. We don’t want to let it all out at once.”

“No, no. We don’t.” Nellie Mae sampled the fritter. “Oh my goodness. Divine.”

“That Stella sure can bake,” Netta agreed and dug into her fritter.

For the moment, the sweet pastry took precedent over gossip.

For the moment.

*****

Once at the park, Lily made a beeline for the play area where there was a small slide and sand box for toddlers. Jayce and Callie walked side-by-side, following.