I frowned, not sure where he was going with this. “Okay? We’ve dealt with cold snaps before.”
“True, but this one’s different. It’s supposed to hit right during the middle of the weekend, and Christmas is right around the corner.” His eyes lit up with the kind of mischief that usually meant trouble for someone.
“Lucas,” I said warily, “what are you getting at?”
“I need someone to drive to Amarillo and pick up Beau’s Christmas presents and a few extra items that you’ll have to pick out,” he continued, ignoring my suspicious tone. “All the stuff I ordered online is sitting at various stores waiting for pickup, and with this weather coming in, I don’t want to risk the deliveries getting delayed.”
Beau looked up from his coffee with surprise. “You already finished your Christmas shopping?”
“Course I did. I’m organized.” Lucas shot him a fond look before turning back to me. “Problem is, I’ve got back-to-back conference calls with investors all day, and Beau’s got that cattle auction in Austin this week. Can’t reschedule either one.”
I could see where this was headed, and I didn’t like it one bit. “So, you want me to go?”
“Exactly. Should take most of the day. Amarillo’s a good hour drive each way, plus time to hit all the stores.” He paused, drumming his fingers on the table. “Only thing is, I need those last few items, and I don’t trust your fashion sense.”
“Excuse me?” I sputtered, genuinely offended. “What’s wrong with my fashion sense?”
Lucas gestured vaguely at my work clothes. I had on faded jeans, worn boots, and a flannel shirt that had seen better days. “Diego, you dress like you buy your clothes at farm supply stores.”
“Idobuy my clothes at farm supply stores,” I protested. “They’re practical.”
“Exactly my point.” His grin widened. “Some of the stuff I still need is clothing, and there are bound to be multiple choices for eachpiece. I need someone with an actual eye for style to handle those, notMr. Practicality.”
Mabel cleared her throat meaningfully. “You know, Dolly mentioned that Hayden used to do some modeling work. Boy’s probably got a good eye for fashion. I’d bet he’d go with you.”
“That’s what I was thinking,” Lucas added, his grin widening like he’d just caught me in a trap. “I already called Dolly this morning. Hayden’s free all day.”
I nearly choked on my coffee. “You did what?”
“Called Dolly,” Lucas repeated, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “She says Hayden’s been moping around the apartment since yesterday. Apparently, he could use the distraction. He’s already on the way over.”
My heart did a little flip in my chest. “Heagreedto this?”
“Well...” Lucas had the decency to look slightly guilty. “Dolly might have told him it was just a shopping trip. She may have left out the part about you being his chauffeur.”
“Jesus Christ,” I muttered, setting my mug down with more force than necessary. “So, you want me to ambush him?Again? That’s your brilliant plan?”
Beau at least had the courtesy to look sympathetic. “It’s not an ambush. It’s just... a surprise.”
“A surprise that involves being trapped in a truck with me for a two-hour round trip, plus shopping?” I shook my head. “He’s gonna murder me. Or worse, he’s gonna get out and walk back to Sagebrush.”
“Nonsense,” Mabel chimed in, flipping pancakes at the stove. “That boy’s sweet on you too, whether he admits it or not.”
“Sweet on me?” I scoffed. “Mabel, he slapped me in front of the whole town.”
“That’s passion,” she replied without missing a beat. “Can’t have fire without a spark.”
Lucas nodded enthusiastically. “Exactly. And you two have enough sparksto start a wildfire.”
I looked between the three of them, feeling like I’d somehow wandered into an ambush myself. “This is insane. Y’all are trying to set me up.”
“Damn right we are,” Lucas said, dropping all pretense. “Look, Diego, I’ve never seen you this hung up on anyone before. And Dolly says Hayden’s been wearing your hat around the apartment since he got back.”
That piece of information hit me right in the chest. “He has?”
“Hasn’t taken it off except to shower, according to her.” Lucas leaned back, looking smug. “That sound like someone who’s not interested to you?”
I tried to ignore the warmth spreading through me at the thought of Hayden still wearing my hat. It didn’t mean anything. Maybe he just liked how it looked. Or maybe he was cold.
