Instead of going for a bribe, he zeroed in on what Zinnia thought Tex wanted out of this escapade. “I hear you have a surprise for me. Can’t wait to see what it is!”
Something rustled in the bushes. Could be a critter.
He murmured to Adam, who stopped the truck. Instead of pointing the spotlight right at the bush, he directed it toward the shoulder of the road. Didn’t want to blind the kid if it was him.
Tex walked out holding Smokey under his arm and a well-taped package in his other hand. Looked like he’d chosen cowboy-themed paper to wrap the brownies. His hat was on crooked and he was smudged with dirt everywhere — face, arms, T-shirt and jeans.
Giddy with relief, he reached for the door hand. Joy surged through him, pushing away the fog that had clouded his thinking for days.
How had he missed the obvious? His dad had been a solo act. Adam was not. More important, he was not. Instead of dashing off on his own, he’d called Adam. Adam had called the Bridger Bunch. None of them had to do it all.
So why was he fighting his love for Zinnia and Tex when he had a whole team behind him? Only an idiot would do that, and his dad hadn’t raised an idiot.
He stepped out of the truck. “Zinnia, I’ve got him. I’ve got Tex.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Uncle Graham’s house wasn’t big enough for the Bridger Bunch, but the Dazzling Damsels insisted it would work. Zinnia coaxed Mari into turning the kitchen over to them.
At least they had plenty of food in the house. She and Mari had shopped the day before. They’d have to shop again tomorrow, but who cared? Tex was safe and sound.
Those ladies unearthed a stash of paper plates and plastic utensils that Uncle Graham had forgotten he had. Breakfast was served buffet style and eaten in various venues, including out in the barn.
Everyone took turns visiting Speckles and her foal. Tex stuck to Monty as if they were taped together. She and Monty would have to talk about this episode, but she was exhausted and wanted to savor this joyous moment a little longer.
She and Mari ended up sitting on the porch steps with Raquel and Uncle Graham and balancing their plates on their laps.
“I can’t believe I’ve never been over here, Graham.” Raquel glanced at him. “How is that possible?”
“To be honest, Adele didn’t like to entertain. But now that she’s gone, I’d love to have you over for dinner some night.”
“That sounds like fun.”
Mari nudged Zinnia with her foot. “Uncle Graham’s a good cook, Raquel. I do most of it because that’s only fair considering how good he’s been to us, but every so often he’ll insist on making one of his specialties. We always look forward to those nights.”
“I didn’t know that about you, Graham.”
“Mari’s laying it on a little thick, so don’t go expecting a five-star restaurant, but I do enjoy messing around in the kitchen.”
Zinnia didn’t dare look at Mari since they had to be putting the same spin on that comment. Engineering a night alone for these two would take fancy footwork, though. Maybe she and Tex could visit Jordan and Luis on a night Mari was working.
“Hey, Zinnia, could I talk to you for a minute?”
She glanced up. There stood Monty, his morning beard shadowing his chiseled jawline, a light in his blue eyes that made her catch her breath. Tex was nowhere around.
Don’t get your hopes up, girlfriend. “Um, sure.” She looked at her empty plate. “Let me just get rid of?—”
“I’ll take it.” Mari whisked it out of her hands.
“Thanks, Mar.” As she started to get up, Monty held out his hand.
She took it. His firm grip set off a predictable reaction. The last time she’d held his hand they’d been naked. But that was over. Wasn’t it?
The fact that he continued holding her hand as they walked away from the porch was confusing as hell. “Where’s Tex?”
“He’s showing Rio how to sit on the bucket and make friends with his foal.”
“I’ll bet that’s fun to watch.”
