“Since you aren’t being fired, what happens to your other side hustle?”
Tracy shrugged. “My series of children’s books stays on the back burner for now. But I won’t give up on my dream to publish them, giving hope to abandoned, neglected, or abused kids.” When Cash turned to her with his brow creased in concern, she explained, “I was fortunate to have my grandparents. But many children who lose their parents, whether it’s due to an accident like a helicopter crash, substance abuse, illness, divorce, incarceration, or countless other reasons out of a child’s control, aren’t so lucky.”
“Let me guess, your books feature a German shepherd,” Cash said.
“Yes, named Dude.”
“You write stories about boys and girls who have every reason to fail but give them positive messages as to why they can succeed.”
“Yes, exactly.” Tracy was taken aback and repeated to him, “Being smart is part of what makes you so sexy, Cash.”
Cash pulled her into his arms and whispered, “Tracy, to me you’re more beautiful than Garden of the Gods.”
She swallowed hard. “As it so happens, my favorite attraction in Garden of the Gods is Kissing Camels,” she said, in reference to the iconic red rock formation that appeared to be two camel heads kissing high in the sky. “Some say it’s the longest kiss in history.”
Cash grinned and said, “Let’s kiss.”
“Let’s.” Tracy stood on tiptoes and Dude patiently waited beside them as they kissed in the shadow of Gardenof the Gods. Then with a wave at the camels, she said, “I’m starved.”
“How does Southside Suzy’s sound?”
“The steak and burger restaurant downtown?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve never been there. Is it good?”
“It better be. Their beef comes from Chase’s cattle ranch.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“All packed?” Cash asked, standing behind Tracy in the doorway of her bedroom. He’d been thankful on their walk not to have run into Rusty again. But that had been only a fleeting concern. He was focused on Tracy and enjoying every minute in her presence.
With a look here and there, Tracy said, “Yes, my totes are full.”
Cash had placed what he’d describe as a couple of beach bags in the back seat of his truck. Tracy had said the small bag she’d taken to his ranch was the only real suitcase she had. After Tracy had fed Dude, Cash had packed his dog food and bed, into the back seat as well.
“Glad they’re full because I might never bring you back here,” Cash said.
Tracy giggled that sensual, flirty laugh that always made him smile. Turning to him she said, “I guess Dude and I would just have to Uber it back into town.”
Cash cocked a brow and repeated, “You need a car.” He called Dude and walked down the short hall to the living room. “Dude, you ready to go for a ride?” Cash asked, picking up his leash. The German shepherd barked and trotted to him. Cash fastened the leash to the collar and Dude stood obediently at his side.
“Are you sure Dude will be welcome at Southside Suzy’s?” Tracy asked, her purse over her shoulder. “We could swing by later and pick him up.”
“He’ll be fine if we eat outside on the patio,” Cash assured her, clipping Dude’s leash onto his collar. “It’s the perfect weather for that.”
“Okay.”
Tracy picked up her purse and they headed out the back door to the attached garage. Dude jumped into the truck like he belonged there. As Tracy crawled into the front seat, Cash gave her sexy bottom his familiar pat. Backing his truck out of the garage, she closed the door. Taking I-25, ten minutes later he pulled into a parking spot in front of Southside Suzy’s. Everybody, from downtown business owners and employees, to staff from the nearby hospitals, to professors and students from the local colleges, to the workforce at the El Paso County Courthouse, ate here. With Dude’s leash in one hand and Tracy’s hand in the other, Cash walked toward the fenced-in patio of the restaurant.
“Cash-man!” Richard, a loyal friend and leader of the Sons of Steel Motorcycle Club, called after parking his Harley. Wearing the colors of one of the five most dangerous clubs known, the tall, black-haired man with a black beard gave them a wave and walked toward them.
Richard was the longtime boyfriend of Suzy. Suzy’s father, Vincent South, had owned this place for decades. Shortly after buying it, he’d totaled his Harley on the highway in front of Triple C Ranch-Central. Along with Coop, Cash’s dad had rushed to his rescue. Vincent, also known as Vince or Butcher, supposedly because he wore a white apron like a butcher, was a great friend or a mean bastard, depending on who you talked to. In any case, Vince had not wanted law enforcement involved after he’d crashed. Cash’s parents and grandparents had patched him up, fed him a steak dinner, and hauled him and his motorcycle back to the Springs. Vince had bought all his beef fromTriple C ever since and their steadfast bond was unbreakable.
“Big Dog!” Cash called to Richard using his motorcycle club name. Dude barked just once as Richard and his two bodyguards, Blade and Tommy-Gun, approached.
Normally Richard shook Cash’s hand and gave him a tug against his chest. But with respect to Dude, he held out his hand to the dog first and said, “Being a big dog, you and I have something in common.” Dude sniffed him and Richard petted his head.
