“Nice.”
Did she expect him to take her? He scratched his head, restless. He’d already dropped his guard and signed those damn papers so she could get the paperwork going. “It’s just business, you know. I go to network and see familiar faces.”
“Wonderful. I think I’ll enjoyit.”
Enough.“I’d love to take you, but . . .”
She threw back her head, her hearty laughter filling the room. “Is that why you look so pale? You thought I was coaxing you into takingme?”
A sense of idiocy swept overhim.
She flashed him a triumphant smile. “I have a ticket.”
He narrowed his eyes, trying too damn hard not to focus his attention on her parted lips or the tear forming at the corner of her eye, the result from laughing at his expense. She had a ticket for a two thousand dollar plate event? How, in God’s name, would her broke ass be able to afford it? Unless she wasn’t as strapped for cash as shesaid.
“Interesting.” He bit back the bitterness clinging to his voice. Friends. They were friends. “I thought you were on a budget, saving for the costs of opening your B&B.”
“I am.” She slid a rubber band from her hand, threaded her fingers into her hair, and put it on a ponytail. “I ran into Hoyt, and since he isn’t going to make it, he offered me his ticket.”
“Hoyt.” He choked up the name. His gut clenched like the receiving end of a punch. A punch stronger and longer lasting than the one he’d gotten from Hoyt. “Lola, you be careful now. He’s using you just to get back atme.”
Jack clenched his fists into a ball. I wish I could punch him right aboutnow.
Hoyt was a stupid bastard if he entertained the idea of seducing Lola as some kind of payback for Mel. His blood thrummed in his veins, and he had to flex his fingers and try to calmdown.
She tossed her hair to the side. “Don’t worry, Jack. I’m learning how to take care of myself.”
“Sure you are.” He produced the best smile he could, going out of his way not to show the irritation still crawling under his skin. If Hoyt tried to touch Lola, he’d knock all of his teeth out. Jack wouldn’t be disrespected under his own roof. “I guess it’s the people youknow.”
“The people I know.” Her voice trailed off, and she looked past him, her eyes remote. “The people I know.” She repeated, then her eyes shot to her hairline. “That’s right.”
He leaned forward. “Care to explain?”
She slapped her palms together. “I just had an idea. Maybe someone my dad knew will recognize the woman in the picture.”
Why did she obsess over an old photo? He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to alleviate some of the kinks. “But your uncle passed.”
“Daddy has a cousin who lives somewhere in Texas. Around his age. He didn’t make it to the funeral because he hates flying. Maybe he knows.”
“Maybe he doesn’t.” What good could come from digging into the past? Didn’t she have enough on her plate? He shook his head, more to himself than to her. Bringing out those valid points was useless. He knew the woman he had married and separated from. When she wanted something, she’d pursue it… until she didn’t want it anymore. Currently, she was in the first stage.
“There’s only one way to find out,” shesaid.
