Gentling the Cowboy(60)

Sarah took the seat to his right, and it was the first time he’d seen more than a blur of her since they’d returned from town. The way she’d fussed about the house and then retreated to the guest room to primp made him feel like an ass for wishing the meal were already over.

He took a moment to appreciate her effort. She’d piled her blonde curls in a loose knot on her head and had changed into a summer dress. A memory of their earlier conversation about the advantages of dresses sent his blood rushing southward.

She caught him looking at her and smiled—so beautifully he temporarily forgot to breathe.

She leaned in and whispered, “Nervous?”

Not exactly. He shifted, the front of his jeans suddenly uncomfortably tight. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts of visions of how she’d look later that night when he showed her how much fun dresses could be.

Sarah laid a reassuring hand on one of his, proving quite definitively that women cannot read a man’s mind. Still, the sweet look on her face reminded him why he’d agreed to the meal in the first place. She wanted this, and when it came to Sarah, he had a real problem saying no.

He didn’t notice how the food arrived on the table. He couldn’t care less if they filled his glass with lemonade, sweet tea, or beer. Sarah had woven her fingers through his and was absently caressing the back of his hand with her thumb. Nothing else at the table mattered.

Sarah leaned toward him again and said, “You should say something.”

He frowned at her, but she didn’t relent so he stood. The table fell quiet and all present turned to hear what he would say. David, Melanie, and her son were seated on Tony’s left. Five young men sat on both sides of the table at the far end. He knew he should know their names, but he didn’t. He always preferred not to know. It made firing them easier.

One seat was empty.

Dean hadn’t come.

Good.

It had been a long time since he’d addressed a group of people he wasn’t threatening. He felt like a fraud making a speech to people who knew he’d rather they all be anywhere but there. His attention was drawn to the serious expression on the young boy’s face. He should be running circles around the table while Melanie threatens him to calm down.

I should know his name.

Beneath the sustained attention of her boss, Melanie tensed and put a protective arm around her son’s shoulders, as if she believed Tony was preparing to order the child removed from the table.

I’m not that much of an asshole.

Not tonight, anyway.

Tony’s free hand clenched in a fist on the table. When did I become a man even I don’t like?

Tony realized he was scowling at them and tried unsuccessfully to defuse their anxiety with a smile—a sad attempt at one if Melanie’s continued grip on her son was anything to go by. He winked at the boy and felt infinitely worse when the boy sat straighter and smiled—his hero-worship obvious to all.

I’ve never said two words to that kid.

He should hate me.

Sarah squeezed his hand gently. He looked down into those loving brown eyes of hers. Was she right? Was it time to let go of the past and salvage what he had left before it was too late? Could he ever deserve the faith she had in him?

Tony cleared his throat. “I know I’m not an easy man to work for, but I appreciate y’all joining us tonight. Thank you for the work you put into setting it up. Let’s eat.”

He sat down, both relieved and surprised at how good he felt. During his short-lived career, he’d spoken to crowds of all sizes, and enjoyed it. Until now, he’d put those feelings behind him. It surprised him to discover that a piece of him missed public speaking. He missed the rush of adrenaline he’d always felt just before stepping out in front of a crowd, and then the sense of accomplishment that followed his speech. He spontaneously lifted Sarah’s hand to his lips and gratefully kissed the back of it. If the move shocked anyone, he didn’t notice.

“I never would have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes,” Dean said from a few feet away, referencing the group before him. Tony stood, dropping Sarah’s hand.

David stood and walked over to shake his hand. “Sheriff.”

Dean shook his hand. “David, always good to see you.” He tipped his hat at Melanie and said, “Melanie, Jace gets bigger every time I see him. What are you feeding him? He’s growing like a weed.”

Melanie smiled at the compliment. “What don’t I feed him? He’s a bottomless pit.”

Jace left his seat and ran over to hug Dean’s legs. “I’m near all grown up, Sheriff. Watch your job. I’m fixin’ to take it.”