Seemingly unaware of the utter chaos her announcement had caused inside Lana, Sophie glugged down a great deal of her drink before replying, “My social worker said I should talk to more than one person so I can make the best choice. I’m having lunch with the Andersons tomorrow, at Baker’s.”
An upscale restaurant with fancy food that cost twice what it did at Big Mama’s, Baker’s was sure to impress the girl. “That’s um, nice,” Lana managed.
“I’ve never eaten there before, have you?”
“Once or twice, for special occasions.”
“Is it okay for me to wear jeans and a T-shirt?”
“I wouldn’t.”
Another uncomfortable silence followed.
As Lana sipped her cocoa, she had the strangest sense that someone was staring at her. She glanced out the window. Someone was. Sly was standing on the sidewalk right in front of her.
Sophie followed her gaze. “Wow, he’s cute—for an old guy. You said you didn’t have a boyfriend.”
“I don’t.”
“He’s sure looking at you the way a boyfriend would. And he’s coming into the restaurant.”
Chapter
Six
Sly couldn’t believethat Lana was sitting in a booth at Big Mama’s Cafe. Not the fact that she was eating there—everyone did—but because she was here now, on the day Dani expected him for lunch.
As usual, the place was packed with the Saturday crowd. There were no empty tables, and no sign of Big Mama. But then, she often took weekends off, handing the reins to Dani.
Naomi, the weekend hostess, smiled and tossed her head seductively. “Hey, Sly,” she drawled with a sexy smile. She was a flirt, but it was all harmless fun. “Dani said you’d be coming in. I just freshened my makeup, and I sure am glad I did.”
He gave her a grin. “With or without makeup, you’re beautiful to me, Naomi. Add my name to the list for a table in Dani’s area, will you?”
“You know it, sugar, but it could be a while.”
“No problem. I’m not in a hurry.”
Sly greeted a couple of ranchers he was friendly with, then, hardly aware of what he was doing, wandered over to Lana’s booth. She was sitting with a skinny girl with rock-band hair. Sly pegged her to be about fifteen or sixteen.
“Hey,” he said.
Lana glanced up at him. In a dress sprinkled with little hearts and feminine lace on the cuffs of her short sleeves, she looked innocent and sweet. Also confused. “Hello, Sly. What are you doing here?”
“This is where my sister works. I came to see her and grab lunch.”
Dani bustled right over. “Hi, big brother.” She tugged him down and kissed his cheek. “We’re a little short on tables right now. But hey, if Lana doesn’t mind, maybe you can join her and her friend.”
Lana’s expression turned puzzled. “What makes you think your brother and I know each other?”
“The looks on your faces. But also, because the last time I saw him, he mentioned you.”
Sly was going to kill his sister.
A telltale flush crept up Lana’s face. “You didn’t say anything earlier, Dani.”
“I wasn’t sure I should. In case my brother forgot to mention it, he enjoyed his evening with you.”
“You said you weren’t dating anyone.” The teenage girl widened her eyes dramatically. “I don’t mind if he sits down with us. There’s plenty of room next to Lana.”
