“Thanks.” Dallas walked over to Laura, jammed his hands in his pockets while he struggled to find the right words. “Marry me,” he blurted, his heart thundering while he cursed his wayward tongue. That wasn’t how he’d meant to start their conversation.
“Dallas,” she said.
“Who else were you expecting? Damn.” He dragged a hand through his hair. “Sorry. Could we talk?”
Her brown eyes narrowed. “I have ten minutes before I need to start making pies.”
Dallas took her hand, helping her stand despite the twinge from his rib cage. “I meant it,” he said after he’d seated her at a corner table. “I want to marry you.”
“Why?” It was easy to see she didn’t intend to make this easy for him.
“Because I love you. I’ve told you before.” A quick glance at her face told him he’d need to do more to pierce her armor. “I can’t imagine my life without you in it. You’re the first person I think of when I wake in the morning. You’re never far from my thoughts.” His words tumbled out faster now, fear of losing her riding him hard. “You make me laugh. I enjoy spending time with you, and I want your sexy body all the time.”
Her expression lightened a fraction. “What about the trouble between our families?”
“I think Quinn will come around as he gets to know you. We can visit my parents once they return from their travels. Quite frankly, I can’t see them not liking you. I—”
“Excuse me,” a man said. “Are you Dallas O’Grady?”
“Yes,” Dallas said, not trying to hide his annoyance at the interruption.
The man was middle-aged, sans the typical paunch, a snappy dresser with no-nonsense green eyes. Two beefy companions flanked him. He gestured them away with a sharp jerk of his head.
“Do I know you?” Dallas asked.
“You might like to take this conversation private,” the man said with a dismissive glance in Laura’s direction. He dropped onto a seat and catalogued Dallas with those bright eyes.
“Laura is my fiancée. She can hear anything you want to say to me.” Dallas took comfort in the fact Laura didn’t argue her status.
The man’s eyes narrowed. He stuck out a hand. “Frank Rutherford.”
Dallas stiffened.
“Ah, I see you’ve heard of me,” Frank said, leaning back in his chair.
“What do you want?”
“I’m here to give you a friendly reminder about the debt you owe me. I want the money this week.”
“What money?” Dallas demanded. “What debt? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Laura frowned. “Are you responsible for the graffiti problem?”
“I believe in subtle warnings first,” Frank said with a negligent shrug.
“What debt?” Dallas repeated.
Frank cast a curious glance at Laura before concentrating on Dallas. “Maria Stanton has assured me you will take responsibility for her obligation.”
“Maria,” Laura said with a curl of lip. “She is a lying bitch.”
Frank straightened. “Ms. Stanton’s avowal is not true?”
“Maria and I were close several years ago. That ended when she cheated on me,” Dallas said. “Any debts she has with you are hers alone. I don’t care what she’s told you. Do a little digging around. Ask my regular customers. They’ll tell you I’m with Laura.”
“What sort of debts are they?” Laura asked.
“Maria has a liking for poker and other games of chance,” Frank said.
