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“Do you really attract critters?” Sunny asked. Although the thought of such a thing seemed a little odd, who was she to say? She talked to a ghost.
“Umm. Sometimes. When you’re a veterinarian, it’s helpful to have a good rapport with animals.”
“Do you treat many fish?”
Skye chuckled. “Not many. In fact the only patient I can recall was a goldfish, and I wasn’t able to revive him. We had a funeral service instead.”
“Seriously?”
“Yep. With songs and prayers and the whole shebang.” Skye picked up a plastic container. “I’m going to take these veggies out for the guys to put on the grill. Want to bring the paper plates?”
LUNCH HAD BEEN SO MUCH FUN that before she knew it, it was midafternoon. “Oh, wow,” Sunny said, jumping up. “I didn’t realize it was so late. I have to get back to town.”
“Big date?” Sam asked.
Sunny almost laughed when she saw Skye kick him under the table.
“No. I have to work tonight. Most Saturday nights are full. Let me help with this real quick.”
She picked up the empty bowls from the patio table, and Skye picked up the ice-cream maker. Belle got the rest of the remnants, and the women carried the things inside to the kitchen.
“Are you working tonight at the café?” Skye asked.
“No, I play with a band on most Saturday nights.”
“A band?” Skye said, her eyebrows going up. “Like with instruments?”
“Guitars, drums, keyboard. Real instruments. We’re the Copper Pistols.”
“What fun!” Skye said. “How did you come up with the name?”
“Seemed like a logical one for police officers—and everybody in the group is a working cop. They let me stay in the band after I left the force.”
“I forgot Belle told me you were in law enforcement,” Skye said as they walked back outside. “What did you do on the police force?”
Hearing Skye’s question, Gabe asked, “Sunny, were you really a cop?”
“Sure was. For several years. I was in uniform for a while, working traffic, and later I became a detective. Listen, everybody, today has been wonderful. I’m so glad you invited me, and Cass and I are looking forward to next Sunday. In the meantime, if you drop by Chili Witches, your next meal is on the house. Now, I’ve got to run.”
After goodbyes were said, Ben picked up her rod and reel and tackle box and followed Sunny to her car.
“You really did have a previous engagement,” he said.
“Did you think I didn’t?”
“I wasn’t sure if it was a brush-off.”
“It wasn’t.”
He stowed her things in the backseat, then turned to her. “How about tomorrow night?”
“For what?”
“For dinner. With me.”
That clawing panic was back. She tamped it down. “I’d like that.”
“Where do I pick you up?”
“I live over the café. There are stairs around back. I’m A.”
“A what?”
She smiled. “I’m apartment A. My sister is apartment B.”
SUNNY WORKED HERSELF INTO a lather trying to find something to wear. She didn’t have any dating clothes, especially when she didn’t know where they were going. Of course Austin was a super casual town, but she really didn’t have much besides jeans and church clothes.
Her wardrobe, like her apartment walls, was pretty plain and boring. Her walls were beige; her carpet was beige; even the countertops in the kitchen were beige. The only spot of color in the living room was her light blue couch with the grape juice stain, and that was old—both the couch and the stain. If she was expecting company, which was rare, she draped a beige throw over the stain.
She’d never gotten around to hanging drapes or pictures. She kept meaning to, but she just couldn’t muster up the interest. The wooden blinds were nice and they provided privacy.
Finally, after she’d tried on every stitch she owned, Sunny gave up and called the clotheshorse for help. In less than two minutes Cass was at her door with a pair of black pants and a fussy blue-patterned blouse with fluttery sleeves.
Sunny frowned. “Cass, that’s not me.”
“Yes, I know. That’s why you don’t have anything appropriate in your closet. It’s perfect. Try it on before you decide. Have you got any heels?”
“Of course I have heels.”
“Let me see them.”
Sunny pulled out her best black pumps, and Cass groaned. “Those are old-lady shoes. Try these.” She pulled off the spike-heel peep-toes she wore and held them out.
“But they’re red.”
“Duh.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll try them.” Sunny strode to her bedroom with Cass trailing after.
She stripped off her best jeans and was about to step into the black pants when Cass said, “Oh, gawd! You’re not going to wear those are you?”
Confused, Sunny said, “I thought you brought them over for me to wear.”
“I meant those panties. They look like Aunt Min’s.”
“Forget it.” Sunny zipped the pants. “Nobody is going to see my underwear.”
“Well, you never know.”
“I know. Trust me. Nobody is going to see it.” She put on the blouse and the ankle-buster shoes. As she stood in front of the mirror, she had to admit she looked very nice. Not clownish as she feared. In fact, she looked—and felt—a little sexy.
“See?” Cass said. “I told you. You look terrific.”
“I look like you.”
“Is that so bad?”
Sunny grinned. “Actually, no. I look pretty darned good.”
Cass took off her dangling gold earrings. “Try these.”
They were perfect.
“Know what you need?” Cass asked.
“What now?”
“You need to go shopping if you’re planning to date this guy again.”
“Why?” Sunny gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I can borrow everything I need from my sister.”
“You wish. Buy your own clothes, sweetie. I hope you were planning to put on some eye shadow and liner.”
“I’m not sure if I even have any.”
Cass rolled her eyes. “Now I know you’re going shopping. Be right back.”
Twenty minutes later, after Cass had worked her magic and left, Sunny leaned close to the bathroom mirror and checked her makeup. She had to admit the difference was amazing and not overdone at all. Mostly she’d made do with lipstick and a little blush. Live and learn.
The doorbell rang and she startled. Was Ben here already? She took a deep breath and walked slowly toward the front door. Why was she feel so guilty doing this? Was she dishonoring Brian’s memory?
Just as she put her hand on the knob, the Senator appeared for just a second. He shook his head, smiled and vanished.
Chapter Six
Sunny almost let out a whistle when she opened her door. Ben stood there in dark brown slacks, a green shirt that matched his eyes and a killer leather jacket that looked butter soft. His dress Western boots were some exotic skin. Snake? Eel? She wasn’t up on such things.
Ben grinned, then he whistled. “You look beautiful. Turn around.” He made a circle with his finger.
She complied, feeling a bit silly and smug at the same time. “Thank you. I wasn’t quite sure where we were going. Will this do?”
“Oh, yeah.”
She picked up her wrap and they went downstairs to his waiting SUV. While it wasn’t a carriage, she noticed it had been washed since she’d seen it yesterday, and she felt as special as any princess.
They went to an upscale Italian restaurant downtown. While it was only a few blocks away, it was a world apart from Chili Witches. The tables were set with fine linen, and a plant-laden room filled with rustic antiques and shimmering candlelight created an inviting atmosphere.
When they were seated Sunny said, “How lovely this place is.”
Ben glanced around. “My sister recommended it. I’ll have to tell her you approved. Or maybe we should wait until we taste the food.”
“I’m sure it’s wonderful. I’ve heard great things about it, but I’ve never been here before.”
After they’d studied the menu and ordered, she said, “Tell me about your sister. Does she live here?”
“Yes. Tracy and her husband and my two nieces. That’s one of the reasons we moved here.”
“We?” Her heart must have skipped a half-dozen beats. Dear Lord, surely he wasn’t married. Surely he wouldn’t have asked her out if he was married. Although, these days, who knew what men would do?
“My son, Jay, and me. I’m divorced.” He grinned. “You thought for a minute I was married, didn’t you?”
She fiddled with her water glass, then looked up and grinned. “What was your first clue?”
“The bug-eyed gape.”
She laughed. “Busted. You Texas Ranger types are sharp. I was always known for my poker face. Guess I’m out of practice.”
“Use it or lose it. How long have you been off the force?”
“About three years. Tell me about your son.”
“His name is Jay. He’s five and in kindergarten. Montessori. Right now he’s torn between becoming a fireman and a pilot.”
“Not interested in becoming a Ranger like his dad?”
“He’s not old enough to be impressed by the Rangers. Their class visited the fire station last month, and he thinks running the siren on a fire engine is much more exciting than what I do. My brother-in-law is a pilot for one of the major airlines, and Jay is very impressed by that—especially since he got to fly on a short hop to Dallas with Uncle Rick.”
“You know, I’ve always wanted to learn to fly. I’ve thought about taking lessons many times.”
“Then why don’t you?”
She started to give one of her stock answers, like she didn’t have the time or it was too expensive, then stopped herself. “I don’t know,” she said honestly. “It seems as if I always have one excuse or another, but I don’t think any of them are valid. I may look into it.”
“Good for you.”
Their lobster bisque was served—which was out-of-this-world delicious—and they chatted in a first-date way about inconsequential things. Neither his ex-wife nor Brian was mentioned. Politics was alluded to only briefly, and she could tell by his comment that they had similar leanings, which was good but not a critical factor in a relationship as far as she was concerned. She and Brian had been polar opposites politically, and it had been no big deal; it had simply been an accepted difference, not something they argued about.
The pasta was as good as the bisque, and the wine delicious. Ben was easy to talk to—and easy to look at. She loved the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled. She liked the strong planes of his face and jaw, his thick, short-cropped hair and the way his eyebrows rose when he was listening. He was a good listener.
Their conversation flowed easily, and there were no awkward pauses as they talked. She was surprised so much time had passed, when, as they lingered over coffee, she glanced down at her watch.
“I can’t believe the time,” Sunny said. “I need to get home.”
Ben glanced at his watch, too. “Sorry about that. Do you have an early workday?”
“Not too early, but I usually go to the gym first thing.”
He motioned for the check. “I used to do that, too. B.J.”
