Promise Them (The Callahan Series Book 6) (19 page)

Nell came down the stairs; her cheeks stained a soft pink.

“Are you ready?” he asked, in awe at her beauty. She wore one of the long skirts she seemed to favor with a silky blouse and sandals. She looked as young as her daughter-in-law.

“I am,” she said, her voice so soft and sweet he wanted to kiss her right in front of her family.

“Drive careful,” Donovan warned.

Phyl gave him The Look, then smiled at Beau and Nellie. “Have a nice time.”

“Are you going to patrol tonight?” Donovan asked as he walked them to the front door. Beau had the distinct impression Nell’s oldest son wasn’t so sure about his mother going out to dinner with a man, neighbor or not.

“I am.” Beau chuckled. “We’ll be back long before then.”

Finally, the door shut behind them. He walked Nell to his truck. “Sorry about the truck. I sold my Mercedes the day I signed the papers on the ranch.”

“No need to apologize. It was a smart move.” Nellie smiled as he took her arm and helped her in.

“You look lovely tonight, but then you always do.” Every time he saw her, she was more beautiful than the last.

She blushed again. “Thank you.”

Then they were on the road and headed toward San Antonio. XM radio was tuned to the Escape channel. The soft sounds of Spanish Eyes wrapped around them.

“I like the music,” Nell said.

“So do I. Don’t know how the kids stand the stuff they listen to. Makes my ears hurt.”

Nell laughed again and the urge to kiss her intensified.

His glance slid over her. She looked wonderful. Relaxed. Beautiful. “You look happy.”

“I am. I’ll feel even better once the rustlers are caught. I can’t stand to see Donovan so worried or so tired.”

They chatted comfortably all the way to San Antonio, the conversation veering from the rustlers to whether Molly was going to retire, then to Dani and Rey.

“Dani is doing a wonderful job with Emma. At least that’s the impression I get,” Beau bragged.

“She is indeed. Emma is transformed. She’s back to the same woman she was before she broke her hip.” She paused a minute. “I’m very impressed with that daughter of yours.”

“Actually, so am I.”

“You didn’t know she could cook?”

“I didn’t. But I wasn’t around much when they were growing up, so how would I?”

“She’s a genius in the kitchen. Could her mother cook?”

Beau laughed. “Just the opposite, sorry to say. Lela deserves the credit.”

“Not all of it. If Dani didn’t enjoy cooking, she wouldn’t do it.”

“I guess you’re right. I invited Dani and Emma to dinner Wednesday night. I hope you will come.”

“Will Helen cook?”

“She will. When I told her, she got all excited, told me she’d have three menus ready to choose from by tomorrow.”

“Helen is turning out well?”

“She is. If she keeps on she’ll be indispensable.”

They were at the city limits. Beau focused on the road as they wove their way through traffic. “Will you come?”

“How many guests will you have?”

“Let’s see. Emma, Dani, Nolan Murdock, Rey if I can get him to come, and hopefully, you.” He drove slowly as he looked around the area. “Do you have a favorite restaurant here?” he asked, when she didn’t respond to his invitation.

“Nope. Whatever you choose is fine with me.”

“Mexican?”

“One of my favorites.”

****

After dreading this date with such intensity that at times Nellie thought she might become ill, the evening went quite well. She found herself relaxing—laughing at Beau’s jokes. He laughed when she told him a few of the kids’ hijinks when they were young.

Each table had a candle. The overhead lights were low. But even in the dim light she saw how handsome Beau was tonight. He’d worn black jeans and boots, a white western shirt that was open at the neck where she saw a few gray hairs peek through. For a swift second, she wondered how thick it was—how much there was?

And that was as far as she’d allow herself to go. She was a grandmother for goodness sakes. She moved her attention back to the conversation.

“I didn’t hear an answer.”

“What was the question?”

His chuckle seemed to rumble from deep inside. She liked the sound. “Dinner on Wednesday. Will you come? Please?”

“I’d love to.”

She found the idea not the least distracting. She enjoyed being with this man.

Beau ordered another bottle of wine, and the conversation continued.

Finally, Nellie noticed the waiters looking at them strangely and looked at her watch. “Beau! Do you realize how late it is?”

He checked the time and stood. “No, I didn’t. We’d better go. I can’t let Rey patrol alone.”

By the time they pulled into the Callahan ranch road, it was almost midnight.

“I didn’t expect to be out this late,” Nell said.

“Nor I. But I had a wonderful time. Thank you.”

He stopped the car at the back door. Lights blazed on the lower floor of the house. Surely, they weren’t waiting up.

Reaching over, he pulled her close. “I can’t remember enjoying myself so much.”

Instead of relaxing against him, her body stiffened.

“What?”

“They can see us.”

He decided not to pursue the matter. Instead, he loosened his arm, draped it over her shoulder. “Can we do this again?”

“Maybe,” Nell said, her voice low.

He tilted her head, kissed her gently on the mouth. Electric. He pulled back.

Startled green eyes locked with his. “Wow!”

She took his face between her hands. What? Was Nell going to kiss him? Would he be that lucky? Her eyes were wide open when her lips touched his. The expression in her eyes showed as much shock as he felt—like she couldn’t believe she was doing this. He felt the magic all the way to his toes.

Groaning, he pulled her closer and deepened the kiss until he thought his chest would explode with happiness. In all his sixty-two years, he’d never felt like this.

She pulled back, released her hold on his face, and, studying his expression, smiled. Without another word, and before he could unscramble his brains enough to climb out of the truck and open the door for her, she slipped out of the vehicle and ran to the back door.

When she got there, she turned and waved.

Beau didn’t have the strength to wave back.

He didn’t know how long he sat there. But it took a while for his heartbeat to slow and his blood pressure to stabilize.

By the time he got back to his place, he knew he was in deep trouble.

What he didn’t know was what he was going to do about it. He wasn’t sure his heart could handle too many more kisses like that.

Who knew Nell Callahan could be such a vixen?

A note on the back door read,
We have patrol duty under control. Why don’t you sleep in?
It was signed, Rey.

There was no way Beau would sleep tonight. Not after Nell’s kisses, so he saddled Taro and, grateful for the distraction, went to join his son.

****

Nellie didn’t sleep a wink. Nevertheless, she got out of bed the next morning feeling both exhilarated and embarrassed. How could she have been so brazen? She’d kissed Beau Chandler. And boy did he kiss her back. What if someone saw them? Who cared? She loved the stunned look in his blue eyes right before her lips touched his. Was she crazy? Maybe, maybe not. Either way, she’d enjoyed herself way too much. She smiled at the memory.

Still, he’d taken her out to thank her. What must he think?

She’d have to apologize again. Oh, why couldn’t she get any of this right?

Taking a finger, she rubbed her lips. She could still feel him. She went weak all over.

How had this happened? How had she become so attracted to another man? After all these years it didn’t seem possible.

“You seem distracted this morning, Mom,” Phyl said later that morning as they cleared the breakfast dishes off the table.

“A little.”

“I know you had a nice time last night.” Phyl grinned. “Did Beau ask you out again?”

Feeling flustered, Nellie went to the sink and started rinsing the dishes. “He asked me to dinner at his house.”

“Oh?”

Nellie looked over her shoulder to see Phyl’s eyebrows had shot up. She nearly dropped the plate in her hands.

“I’m not the only guest, so don’t make something out of it.”

“But I sense there is something there. Am I wrong?”

Nellie sighed and stepped away from the sink before she broke her dishes. “I told you before. He’s an attractive man. He’s good company.”

“And there’s no reason you shouldn’t take advantage of the attention,” Phyl added.

“You’re way too romantic, Phyl. We’re just friends.”

“You should be friends first.”

Then what? Nellie wasn’t even close to carrying this any further. She’d been a widow too long. She had other things to think about.

“I have to meet Dani at Molly’s. I’ll see you later.”

Phyl headed for the office, but Nellie didn’t have time to wonder what she was up to. She was going to be late.

Walking in the door of Molly’s diner forty-minutes later, Nellie thought the breakfast crowd would be cleared out. She was right. Molly’s was almost deserted. Other than Dani sitting in a booth at the back, there was only one booth with a group of town gossips more interested in talking than eating.

Nellie waved at them as she went to join Dani.

“You look depressed,” Nellie said. “It can’t be that bad.”

“Are you kidding? That old woman is crazy.”

Molly limped over, a frown on her face instead of her usual smile. “What’s wrong?” Nellie asked.

“You don’t want to know.” Molly slid into the opposite booth. “I’ll take your order in a minute.”

Seeing how distraught Molly was, Nellie patted her hand. “It’s okay. We’re in no hurry.”

Molly dropped her head in her hands. “Sorry. I’m too upset to do anything right now.”

“Do you want to tell us about it?”

Molly looked up. “I’m going to have to close earlier than I wanted—like today.”

Nellie gasped. “You’re going to close? Why?”

“My health’s getting worse, but I planned to stay open another six weeks. Now I can’t even do that. My cook fell last night and broke his arm. He’ll be in a cast for six weeks. I’ll have to hang out my
Closed for Good
sign today instead of six weeks from now.”

“How did you get by for breakfast?”

Molly chuckled. “Told everybody who wanted breakfast it would be eggs and toast today.”

“No cinnamon rolls?”

“I had those made by six. There’s still some if that’s what you came for.”

“Later. Your rolls are the most popular item on the menu.”

“It was my mother’s recipe.”

“Guarded with your life.” Dani smiled.

“Something like that.” She looked closely at Dani. “I’ll give it to you.”

“Why?”

Molly shrugged. “I’ve heard what a great cook you are.”

“So?”

“So maybe you could take Tom’s place.”

Seeing the look on Dani’s face, Molly rushed to add, “It would be temporary. I’m going to close the place anyway.”

Dani’s eyebrows shot up. “I have a job.”

“Emma is doing fine. She doesn’t need you, I do.”

Nellie sat there stunned. How could Molly ask this young girl to take over the kitchen without any experience? No wonder Dani was thunderstruck.

Molly’s hands twisted. “The time will fly by. Besides, it wouldn’t be fair to my customers to shut the doors without warning.”

“There has to be someone else.”

“I don’t know anyone else who can cook.” She looked at Nellie. “Except you. But I didn’t think you’d cotton to the job. Anyway, Emma says Dani’s the best.”

“I came here to ask your advice on how to cater a party for fifty. Now I’m being asked to cook for that many or more. Impossible. Besides, Emma would never agree. She’s spoiled. She likes her meals on time and something sweet every day. She’d be more than upset.”

Molly looked at her watch. “I’m going to have to hang that sign out before lunch if you say no.”

Dani looked around. “Where’s Amy?”

“Amy’s a waitress, not a cook. She’ll be back for the lunch crowd. That is, if I don’t have that sign out.”

“Call Emma, I guarantee she won’t let me do it.”

“If she agrees does that mean you’ll give it a try?”

Dani shrugged. “I’ll help with lunch if you’ll tell me what you want me to cook and the quantity.”

“I baked pies and rolls this morning. If you fix the blue-plate special for the day, I’ll be in business.”

“Emma will never agree.”

Molly pulled herself out of the booth, limped over to take the phone off its holder, and brought it to the table. “Call her.”

Dani shook her head. “This is your party.”

Nellie and Dani exchanged looks when Molly limped away. “What is she thinking? Has everyone around here gone nuts?”

“I feel bad for Molly,” Nellie began. “But I agree with you. I don’t know what Molly is thinking.”

Molly’s voice on the phone was low enough so they couldn’t hear. When she returned to the table she handed it to Dani.

“I told Molly you wouldn’t agree. I’ll be back when I—What did you say?”

Dani held out the phone and looked at it.

“You never listen,” Emma’s voice barked from the phone.

Nellie heard every word.

“I told Molly I wouldn’t mind if you worked for her a few hours a day. It’s the least we can do.”

“Since when have you been so nice? You certainly aren’t to me.”

“Mind your mouth, young lady. Just send my lunch to the house and don’t forget dessert.”

She hung up.

Dani was still looking at the phone in shock. “I told you everyone was crazy.”

“Aren’t you glad you didn’t make a bet?” Molly chuckled. “Now, come to the kitchen so we can figure out the special for the day.”

Dani scrambled out of the booth to follow Molly. “Do you mean to tell me you don’t have the lunch menu planned?”

Molly scoffed. “Sort of. I usually wait until breakfast is over before I get serious.”

Nellie followed them in stunned silence. If the girl took over the kitchen even for a few weeks, she’d need help and lots of it.