Fearless Gunfighter. Joanna Wayne

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      Dani finished serving the customer and stepped from behind the counter.

      “Tucker Lawrence. It’s about time you paid us poor working relatives a visit.” She went in for a hug before turning to Sydney. “Did I just hear that you’ve already met my amazing brother-in-law?”

      “We ran into each other like Tucker said, except that I’m pretty sure howdy never came out of my mouth.”

      Dani laughed. “In that case, we need some real introductions before the next paying customers walk through the door.”

      She took Riley’s arm. “This is my husband, Riley Lawrence, and his brother Tucker.”

      “And I’m...” Sydney hesitated, but only for a second. “I’m Syd Cotton.”

      “She’s a freelance writer working on an article about our town. Why don’t you three find a seat and I’ll pour us some coffee,” Dani offered.

      “I never turn down coffee,” Sydney said, “but I don’t want to intrude on your family time.”

      “There will be interruptions whether you’re sitting with us or not. Not that I’m complaining. No customers, no income with which to pay the bills.

      “Since the guys just had breakfast at Esther’s I know they can’t hold another bite of food, but can I get you something to eat, Syd? Perhaps a bacon-and-egg croissant.”

      “They’re to die for,” Riley said. “You can take my word for it. I sleep with the cook.”

      Sydney wasn’t hungry, but she needed something in her stomach or she’d risk a blistering headache by the time she met with Jackson.

      “Sounds wonderful,” Sydney agreed.

      “I’ll get the coffees and the croissant,” Riley volunteered. “You two see if you can talk Tucker into staying a few days. I’ve got a horse barn that needs a roof, so might as well put those muscles of his to work doing something useful.”

      “My muscles are on break,” Tucker quipped, “but my supervisory skills are available to the highest bidder.”

      “I’m married now,” Riley said playfully. “I get supervisory services for free.”

      “Only when you need them,” Dani chimed in as he walked away.

      Tucker held their chairs while she and Dani settled into them. Once they were seated Dani reached over and touched Tucker’s arm.

      “You certainly generated some excitement this morning, showing up without anyone knowing you were coming. Esther was so delighted when she called to tell us, she could barely talk straight.”

      “Esther gets excited easily.”

      “She does,” Dani agreed. “She’s such a dear. If you have time while you’re here, I’d like you to meet her, Syd. She’s in her early seventies, but she’s the quintessential Texas rancher’s wife. Good-hearted, hard worker, and she’d do anything for you.”

      “I’d love to meet her.”

      “You know, Esther might be willing to rent you a room or two for a few days. She lives in a huge rambling house just a few miles from town on the Double K Ranch. You’d even have Tucker to show you around the ranch and give you an introduction to that lifestyle from an insider’s vantage point.”

      “I’ll be leaving tomorrow,” Tucker said, putting an end to that possibility before Sydney had a chance to answer.

      “Why so soon?” Dani questioned. “You just got here.”

      “I have obligations elsewhere.”

      “Esther will be crushed and Riley will be disappointed. I know he wants to personally introduce you to every new Black Angus he’s purchased to start his new herd.”

      “That’s next on today’s agenda,” Tucker said. “We just drove into town to deliver some supplies he picked up for you.”

      “I know. He’s wonderful, isn’t he?”

      “If you say so.” Tucker stretched his long legs beneath the table.

      Riley showed up with a tray of coffees and the croissant just as two middle-aged women with elaborately coiffed hair reminiscent of several decades past entered the shop.

      “The Simmons sisters,” Dani said. “Two caramel lattes, one with whipped cream, one without, and one chocolate-filled croissant, cut in half and placed on two saucers.”

      “I’ll take care of them,” Riley said. “Eleanor Simmons has a secret crush on me. Might as well make her day.”

      Dani rubbed his back. “Well, who wouldn’t have a crush on you, sweetie? But I know exactly how much whipped cream she likes on her coffee, so I’ll give you a hand.”

      They walked away, leaving Sydney and Tucker alone at the small table. A purposeful move, Sydney suspected, since for some strange reason Dani appeared to be playing matchmaker.

      The feisty pastry chef would change her mind quickly about that if she realized everything Sydney had just said about herself was a lie.

      Sydney sipped her coffee and considered where she should take the conversation. Sitting here in silence was getting her nowhere, but blurting out leading questions would blow her cover before she even got started.

      “Did you grow up around here?” she asked.

      “Lived here for the first thirteen years of my life.”

      “Where did you live after that?”

      “Kansas.”

      “Do you still have family here, other than your brother, I mean?”

      “I have two brothers, Pierce and Riley. They both live around here. They’re the only family I’ve got.”

      “Then you’re not kin to the woman Dani refers to as Esther?”

      “Do you always ask so many questions?”

      “I’m just basically a very curious person.”

      “Sorry. I’m not basically a grouch. I just have a lot on my mind. It doesn’t excuse my behavior. No use taking my troubles out on you.”

      “Apology accepted.”

      She decided on a different approach. “Life in a close-knit community like Winding Creek is a novel experience for me. It seems like such a safe, friendly area.”

      “It is.”

      “But I heard on the news that three women are missing from this area of Texas.”

      “You got me there. I’m not good about keeping up with the news.”

      “Not even on social media?”

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