Devil in Texass(71)

“In my opinion, none. But he has this thing against premarital sex.”

“So I’ve heard. Who says we’re even having sex?”

Ginger was the one to blush this time. “Well, no one, of course. But apparently, the

way Jack looks at you and touches you in public has the grapevine abuzz with activity.”

“People in this town have way too much time on their hands.”

“You said it, sister,” Ruby suddenly chimed in as she set two hot plates, piled high

with the delicious smelling and looking pesto-and-angel hair pasta creation, in front of them.

Yes!

Exactly what Liza had been hoping for.

Reaching for her rolled-up flatware, she asked Ruby, “What’s tomorrow’s special?”

“I have no idea. Mike doesn’t decide until the ‘muse’ kicks in after his second cup of coffee. Little friendly reminder, though,” she said as she eyed both girls. “You keep eating here and you’re gonna wind up looking like me.”

“What’s wrong with the way you look?” Liza countered. “I bet Ginger could dress

you up in something lacy and frilly and Mike’s muse would plan an entire month’s

worth of specials in one wild night!”

“Oh you!” Ruby said, letting out a hearty laugh. “Well, I just… Oh.” She turned and rushed off, but Liza heard her chuckling to herself.

178

Devil in Texas

Ginger smiled. “You are so nice.”

Liza’s throat closed up. She reached for the glass of wine Ruby had delivered with

the meal and took a deep sip, needing a moment to compose herself. She felt the tears sting her eyes and had to blink them away. Why she got so emotional these days when

someone said something nice to her—or about her—was beyond her.

Except that maybe it’d been too long since she’d had such genuinely nice people in

her life.

When she’d composed herself, Liza said, “Thanks. I’m trying to be.”

Unfortunately, she wasn’t feeling the least bit congenial toward Lydia. Despite the

story Jack had told her. Today’s incident in Jess’ shop had left her as cold as every other encounter with Lydia.

Prompting her to say, “You should set up that display this afternoon. I’m happy to

help you if you need it.”

“Thanks,” Ginger said around a bite of pasta. “I’d take you up on that offer if I

could justify it. But the truth is, no one will come in the store this afternoon, so I’ll have plenty of uninterrupted time to put it together.”

“I like how you have the red and ivory satin and lace framing the window. Nice

touch. Very sensual.”

“The fabric store’s right down the street, so I can pick up what I need after lunch.

Although…”

She sighed and set her fork aside. This alarmed Liza because she could barely stop

shoveling in the pasta herself. Good Lord. Mike was a culinary genius.

“What?” Liza asked, covering her mouth as she spoke while it was full.

Ginger shook her head. “Oh nothing, really. Just that Dorothy Culver owns the

fabric shop and she and Lydia are close friends. I’m sure she’ll tip Lydia off that I’m ‘up to something’ when I come in for satin and lace.”

Liza did the polite thing and swallowed before she spoke again. “So tell me what

you need and I’ll go get it.”

Though the sexy window display would put the saints in a tizzy, she couldn’t

dissuade Ginger from creating it. The girl paid rent for that space, for crying out loud.

She could do whatever the hell she pleased in her shop window as long as it was legal.

And Liza was sure the mayor hadn’t outlawed thigh-high stockings, even if the

reverend and his wife had guilted the townsfolk into believing they were the devil’s

clothes.

But Ginger surprised her by sitting up a little straighter in her chair. She said,

“Thanks, but no. It’s my store. It’s my window. And I’m going to decorate it however I please.”

“Atta girl,” Liza said. She raised her wineglass to Ginger’s iced tea cup, and the

rims made a strange clink as the glass and plastic touched.

179

Calista Fox

Ginger looked pleased with her decision. “You know what? There is absolutely no

law against putting my sales rack out on the sidewalk. Every other clothier in town

does it. Hell, Murphy Cassidy displays his ugly-as-sin hunters’ garb every single day.

God-awful camouflage paired with the most hideous, bright-orange rubber boots

known to man. If any clothing displays should be outlawed, it’s his, based strictly on how wretched they are.”

Liza loved her spirit. “Be sure to mention all of this the next time Lydia tries to guilt you into bringing your nighties inside.”

“You better believe I will.”

If Liza wasn’t mistaken, the petite blonde had just grown a backbone.

Ginger attempted to change the subject and find out more about Liza, but Liza had

come to the conclusion over the few days she’d been in Wilder that there was no point in rehashing her past. She could see things much more clearly now and she didn’t like the picture her past painted. About her or the people who’d been in her life.

She’d had enough defining moments of late to realize that she’d suffered years of

growing pains in New York. She had the chance to learn from them and move onward

and upward. Right here in Wilder. If that was what she chose to do.

After lunch, she and Ginger walked together until their directions veered off. At the fork in the sidewalk, Ginger said, “You’ll come by tomorrow and see the display,

right?”

“Absolutely. And we still have the website to discuss.”

Ginger was positively radiant. Full of a new hope she hadn’t projected when Liza

had first met her. “Thank you, Liza.” Ginger threw her arms around her. “You are such a good friend!”

Blinking back the tears didn’t work this time. Liza squeezed her eyes shut for a few

moments, but the drops seeped out the sides.

Again, when had she become the emotional type?

Ginger released her and said, “I can’t wait to see how this display comes out. Come

by as soon as you can, okay?”

“I take my morning break at Jess’ around ten.”

“Perfect!” She clasped her hands together and said, “I have material to buy! See you

tomorrow.”

“Hey, thanks for lunch,” Liza called out as Ginger practically skipped down the

sidewalk.

“No, thank you!” she called over her shoulder.