Cal pulled out onto the highway. “I’m not hiring a part-time employee based on their looks or nerd factor. I’m hiring them based on their work ethic and honesty. And Nathan seems like an honest kid who will give me a hard day’s work.” He glanced over at her. “Why do you need more makeup? You look better without all that paint.”
She rolled her eyes as she slid the wand back into the tube. “As Dixie Leigh says, ‘Beauty doesn’t just happen. It takes time and effort.’ Even six months pregnant, Dixie is one of the most beautiful women in Simple.”
The sheriff of Simplewasbeautiful. Most men in town couldn’t help stammering and blushing like a fool whenever she looked in their direction. Cal wasn’t one of those men. Clarissa had cured him of his attraction to beautiful women.
“It’s better to concentrate on being a good person than your appearance,” he said.
“Why can’t I do both?” Cheyenne pursed her lips at the mirror as if blowing it a kiss.
Cal frowned. He’d given her the kissing and sex talk a few days ago. All through his speech, she had listened intently and nodded in agreement. But he couldn’t help wondering if she’d just been placating him and still had her sights set on Joey Mac. Just the thought had Cal’s stomach clenching with fear. Maybe he was going about this all wrong. Maybe he shouldn’t be talking to Cheyenne, but rather to Joey. Giving the boy a stern warning could go a long way in keeping Cheyenne safe.
The thought made him feel better and he didn’t even mind when Cheyenne switched the country station he loved to some weird pop station. In fact, he couldn’t help smiling when she seat danced and sang along at the top of her lungs. Like her father, she had no singing talent whatsoever.
Emma and Boone’s house was about ten miles outside of Simple. It was easy to find. The bright yellow barn stuck out like a sore thumb against the blue Texas sky. The two big pink hearts painted on the side withEmma Loves BooneandBoone Loves Emmainside made it even more noticeable. Cal thought the declarations of love were ridiculous. Cheyenne didn’t agree.
“Isn’t it romantic?” she said with a sigh. “I wish someone would paint their love for me on the side of a barn.”
“Love doesn’t need to be broadcast for everyone to see. It can be proven in more subtle ways.” Like not leaving your husband and daughter. “Now hang onto that casserole lid so the green beans don’t spill all over the place when I make this turn.”
Cheyenne placed a hand on top of the towel-wrapped casserole dish that sat in the center of the seat. “I hope everyone likes the green bean casserole. I would die if no one eats it.”
“I’m sure it will be fine.”
“Fine?”
“I mean delicious.” He turned off the highway onto the road that ran in front of Boone and Emma’s, then made a quick turn into their long dirt driveway. “Now quit fretting. You’re a good cook just like your grand—” He cut off when he saw the gray Mercedes parked in front of the house.
“Isn’t that Miss Applegate’s car?” Cheyenne asked. “I didn’t know she was going to be here.”
Neither had Cal. If he’d known, he would’ve thought up some excuse for why he couldn’t come. He was still pretty miffed about Miss Applegate butting her nose into his business. In fact, he’d spent the last few days stewing about it. She had no right to jump in on something she knew nothing about. She didn’t have any children. Hell, she hadn’t even been married. Of course, that was her point. If Cal made sex out to be some kind of Holy Grail, Cheyenne could turn into a frigid lonely old maid like Jolene Applegate.
She had even accused him of being the typeof man who had sex with just anyone and then talked about it. That had really ticked him off. He was no man whore who bragged about how many women he’d taken to bed. Cal had had sex with two women. One was Clarissa and one was the woman he dated after Clarissa had left him. Although poor Joyce had only been a rebound girlfriend—someone to soothe his battered ego.
“Is something wrong, Daddy?” Cheyenne pulled him out of his thoughts and he realized he had stopped right in the middle of the driveway. For a second, he thought about making an excuse about having work to do at the shop. But then, he realized how much that would ruin Cheyenne’s Thanksgiving. Besides, he wasn’t afraid of Miss Applegate.
“Nope. Nothing’s wrong, bunny rabbit.” He continued up the drive and parked right next to the Mercedes. While Cheyenne got the casserole dish, he grabbed the six-pack of beer and bottle of wine. He couldn’t help checking out the passenger side tire on his way past it. It looked like his patch was holding.
Before they could even step up on the porch, Boone threw open the door and greeted them.
“Hey, y’all! Glad you could make it.” He winked at Cheyenne. “I’m surprised you were able to get your old man away from his garage.”
“I almost didn’t,” Cheyenne said. “You know he’s as stubborn as the day is long.”
Boone lifted an eyebrow. “Just like someone else I know.” He glanced at Cal. “Your daughter insisted that I order bright lime green and hotpink Christmas ornaments. It seems she has the same bad taste in colors as Emma.”
Cheyenne hiked her chin in the air. “You just wait, Mr. Murphy. Those colors are going to be all the rage this year and will sell out in no time.”
“If they don’t, I’m giving them to you for your Christmas bonus.” Boone tousled Cheyenne’s hair. When Cal tried to ruffle her hair, he usually got fussed at. But Cheyenne only grinned at Boone.
“I planned on taking home some ornaments anyway.”
Boone laughed. “Then you better take an artificial tree to hang them on too.”
“Thank you, but I want a real tree this year. Fake ones just don’t seem Christmassy.”
“And lime green and hot pink ornaments do?”
Cheyenne grinned. “Of course! Now I better get this casserole inside before it gets cold.”
