Christie put her arm around Toni’s shoulders. “Maybe you’re his next big adventure.”

  “I don’t think so. I don’t even think I want to be.”

  “Aren’t you curious? What if the two of you are meant to be together?”

  “This isn’t a movie, Christie. This is my life. He can’t just pop in and think I’m going to change my goals, my responsibilities.”

  “Isn’t there any room in your life for him?”

  “I don’t think you understand Wyatt—at least the Wyatt I know. You don’t make room for him. He makes room for you.”

  Chapter Twelve

  On Monday morning Wyatt got up early, went for a run around the downtown area and then jogged by the old hotel site, where workers were unloading their trucks and making a general racket. He didn’t see Toni’s pickup—of which he had very fond memories—so he continued around the corner on Commerce Street to the café.

  Thanks to the cool temperatures, he wasn’t too sweaty to go inside and have breakfast. He hadn’t shaved, so he was a bit rough-looking, but surely the morning crowd wouldn’t mind. He’d appeared in public in far worse situations in the past, including wearing only a loincloth and nothing at all.

  “Hey there, Wyatt.”

  “Good morning, Claude.”

  “That was some stunt last night. Real entertaining.”

  “Glad you enjoyed it.” He walked a little farther before being stopped again.

  “Wyatt,” Chief Montoya said with a nod. “I had my doubts about that stagecoach when you called me, but it turned out okay.”

  “The driver is a real professional.”

  “Well, it turned out to be a good addition to the Settlers’ Stroll. You certainly have livened up the Christmas festivities this year.”

  Wyatt chuckled. “I do my best.”

  He made his way to an empty booth. He was rather amazed that everyone treated him as just another citizen of the town, as if he hadn’t been gone for fifteen years. They seemed to accept that all those years ago he’d been a kid, acting out and getting into mischief, and now he was an adult.

  He felt remarkably well despite getting little encouragement from Toni the other night. She’d only promised to think about their relationship. She hadn’t called him or come by the motel, but that was okay. He needed to give her time.

  He wondered if a week was enough. After all, they’d known each other practically their whole lives. Well, they didn’t know much about each other over the past fifteen years, but each of them had known where the other was and basically what they were doing. That counted, right?

  He stopped his mental discussions to order an old-fashioned breakfast of ham and eggs, crispy hash browns, toast and coffee. Normally he had fruit and yogurt for breakfast—his daily stab at nutritious eating, in case the rest of the day consisted of snacks and business lunches. The waitress filled his coffee mug and left.

  “Hey, Wyatt. I thought that was you on the horse last night,” James said less than a minute later, swinging into the booth. “What’s up?”

  “Back in town for a little holiday R & R,” Wyatt answered. “Why aren’t you having breakfast with your lovely bride?”

  “She left early this morning for a Christmas shopping trip with Clarissa, Christie and Ida. They’re headed to Fort Worth for the day. Closed the salon and everything.”

  “Sounds like that could be a long day.”

  “Maybe, and an expensive one. So, are you here alone?”

  “Yes. I didn’t need publicity or assistance doing anything, so I just hopped on a flight and came to visit my hometown during the holiday.”

  “And see Toni,” James added before motioning to the waitress for coffee.

  Wyatt smiled and shrugged. “What can I say? It was good seeing her again. I…Maybe I shouldn’t have stayed away so long.”

  “Perhaps you both needed time.” James got his coffee and ordered a waffle and bacon.

  “I don’t know where we stand,” Wyatt admitted when the waitress left. “We’re kind of feeling our way through this.”

  “Yeah, I can see that. Abducting her in a stagecoach. Very subtle and touchy-feely.” James laughed.

  “Hey, I thought it was creative and kind of romantic.”

  “You always did have a knack for over-the-top spectacles.”

  Wyatt frowned. “Do you think it was too over-the-top?”

  James sighed. “Wyatt, you have to think about Toni. It’s not what you’re doing, it’s how she sees it.”

  “I guess you’re right.”

  “Believe me, I know a little more about women now that I’m married. Sandy was as skittish as a yearling when she first stopped in town, just passing through on her way to California. Her car broke down and she worked for Clarissa for a few weeks. When we started, er, seeing each other, she was more concerned about my reputation than I was. She didn’t want anyone to know that she’d been to my apartment or that we were dating, since she thought she was too wild for me and she was leaving town. And then there was that big dustup at the courthouse in Graham, where she marched right up with about fifty of her closest friends to defend me publicly.”

  “I saw the photos from the newspaper online. That was some sight. What did they call themselves, redheaded floozies?”

  “That’s right, taken from something another attorney said about Sandy, who went by Scarlett back then. But the point is that women are sensitive about things like reputations and public opinion.”

  “I know, and Toni is especially so because she’s mayor.”

  “Exactly. You have to consider that.”

  Wyatt shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “I know, and I try. But then I get an idea or she does something, and I act before I think.”

  “If you’re going to impress her, you’ve got to think of her first. What would she like? How would she see your efforts?”

  “You’re right. So, any ideas on what women like?”

  “Every one is different, man. That’s what makes life interesting.”

  Conversation stopped as the waitress brought their food, refilled their coffee and left their checks.

  “Toni used to like movies. We would go to the Rialto and sit in the balcony, and once we drove all the way to Granbury to go to the drive-in. That was fun. Her parents were out of town and she was supposed to be staying with Jennifer, but—”

  “Hey, sounds like most of the movie-going was about you making out with Toni. What about the movies?”

  Wyatt sighed. “You’re right. This relationship thing is harder than it looks,” he grumbled as he cut his ham.

  “But very worthwhile in the end.”

  “Only if it turns out right.”

  “Then make sure it turns out right.”

  Easier said than done, Wyatt thought as he poked at his eggs, his appetite waning. Was he up to an old-fashioned courtship, or would he resort to something fun if times got tough? He really didn’t know. His personal demons had cheated her out of the engagement and wedding she’d expected fifteen years ago. He owed it to himself, and especially to Toni, to try to put his past to rest once and for all.

  TONI WORKED AT THE HOTEL job site in the morning, before heading to her office. She had some subcontractors to coordinate with, then some final work on the budget. The last city council meeting was tonight, a private session to tweak the final product. They’d present it to the public in January.

  Then, Toni had to decide if she was running for mayor again.

  She really didn’t know what she would do. She loved this town and they’d made such progress in the past three years. New businesses, renovations and new people moving in. But she knew it wasn’t only because she was the mayor. Lots of factors played into the mix.

  If she wasn’t mayor, she’d still be part of the renewal of Brody’s Crossing. She’d be doing the actual work in many cases.

  Plus, she might have a chance at a personal life.

  There was no guarantee, though. What if she didn’t run for reelection, and then she never got that perfect-ever-after ending that she wanted? Would she feel as if she’d failed?

  She put her head between her hands. She felt so much pressure from all angles. Job deadlines, political decisions, personal dilemmas, and to top it all off, Wyatt McCall.

  He wanted a chance at a relationship. The problem was that she’d given him a chance fifteen years ago and he’d broken her heart. Why should she believe that they could make a go of a serious relationship now, when they were even more different?

  She heard the door open and straightened up, pushing her hair back, patting her eyes and putting a pleasant expression on her face. Perhaps this was a new client. But, no, she realized when she saw the reflection in the hall mirror. With his usual impeccable timing for finding her weak moments, Wyatt had just strolled into the office, dressed in tailored jeans and a cable-knit fisherman’s sweater, his leather jacket and brown boots.

  As usual, he took her breath away. And just as usual, she struggled for a snappy remark to keep him at arm’s length.

  “Is your horse double-parked outside?”

  “No, he had to go back to Weatherford. Our brief but memorable time together is over.”

  “No doubt the story of many of your nights.”

  “Hah! You’ve been reading too many gossip columns.”

  “Not really,” she said in what she hoped was a haughty tone. “Your other fans in town do talk, though.”

  He came over and rested one hip on her desk. “Aren’t you a fan? I know for sure I’m a big fan of yours.”

  Her heart sped up as she resisted the urge to roll her desk chair backward. That would be juvenile, and probably make Wyatt laugh. “Thanks, but I don’t believe in fan clubs.”

  “Do you believe in dating? Because I’d like to ask you out.”

  “On a date?”

  “What did I just say?” he answered with a smile. “Yes, a real date. As in dinner and a movie.”

  “When?”

  He shrugged. “Tonight. Tomorrow night. Whatever works with your schedule.”

  “I have a closed-door city council meeting tonight on the budget,” she blurted out.

  “That’s okay. How about tomorrow?”

  “No.”

  “Nothing scheduled, or no date?”

  “No, I don’t have anything scheduled, but—”

  “Great! Can I pick you up at your house, or do we need to meet somewhere?”

  She felt a moment of panic, which logically she shouldn’t feel since it was perfectly acceptable for her to go out on a date. It would be suspicious for her to sneak around in the middle of the night, as she had last Sunday. But Wyatt was talking about ringing her doorbell, taking her out in his vehicle and bringing her home at a reasonable hour. A date. She could do this.

  “You can pick me up,” she finally said. “However, I have to be at the job site early on Wednesday, so I can’t make it a late night.”

  “How about if I check the schedule for movies? There should be something on around seven or eight. That should get you back by ten or so. Is that okay?”

  “Yes, that would be great.” And why was Wyatt being so reasonable and sensible? That wasn’t like him at all. Of course, he had said he wanted a chance, and maybe this was his way of turning over a new leaf.

  “Good. Maybe I’ll see you around before then.”

  “Um, maybe.”

  “Bye, then,” he said, and leaned forward and kissed her lightly. He smelled so good and looked so enticing that she was tempted to grab his jacket and pull him closer. Deepen the kiss. Ask him to stay.

  But, no, she couldn’t. She shouldn’t. She wouldn’t.

  “Bye,” she said weakly as he pulled back and smiled. “See you tomorrow.”

  WYATT RESISTED THE URGE to plan something spectacular. The problem with having lots of money, he realized, was that you could do things in such a big way that you overwhelmed people. He could, for example, build a pavilion, hire a chef and an orchestra and plan anything else he wanted for a special date. He could fly in a movie and have it projected on a custom-built screen. He could, but he shouldn’t, so he settled on calling Dewey’s to make sure he could get a good table for Tuesday night.

  There were two movies playing at the Rialto, and one of them was strictly for children. He was not taking Toni on their first real date in fifteen years to see talking cartoon characters. The other was a sappy romantic chick flick, which he supposed she’d like and he could sit through, although he might need a testosterone booster afterward.

  He called Toni and immediately got her voice mail. He’d rather talk to her in person, but he left a message. “Hey, ba—I mean, Toni. I checked the schedule and the movie is at seven-thirty. I’ll pick you up at six o’clock. This time, I’ll be driving a white SUV. No stagecoach. See you then. Bye.”

  It was odd, he thought as he sat in his rental car outside the theater, that talking to Toni, going on a date with her, even antagonizing her, seemed so normal. As if fifteen years hadn’t passed and they weren’t such different people now.

  Hell, maybe they weren’t. Maybe people really didn’t change all that much. When he’d come back to Brody’s Crossing before, however, he hadn’t felt as if he could slip back in so easily. Now, he did. Had he changed, or was it the circumstances?

  He didn’t know. If he’d still been seeing a therapist, as he had many years ago, he might have called up and asked. But this was one of those times in life where you just had to go with the flow. Find out what felt right and hope you made the right choices.

  His instincts said the way to Toni’s heart was to take their relationship slow and easy. Not his strong suit, but he was trying. One date at a time. That’s the way they’d get to…what? He wasn’t sure. The idea of marriage still scared him, but not having Toni in his life maybe scared him more.

  He started the engine, then glanced at the clock. He had several hours before he needed to get ready for his date. Maybe he’d get Toni some flowers. The only place he knew of was Casale’s Grocery, which meant possibly running into her mother or father. At the least, she might recognize the type of arrangement or the wrapping. Better to drive to Graham and get some there. She’d know he’d made more of an effort. If he remembered dating correctly, women liked to know the man had gone out of his way to try to make them happy.

  Just not too much. Not overboard, as was his usual inclination. No pavilions, orchestras or private chefs. No orchids flown in from Japan. Just a regular date.

  Sometimes, being “normal” was harder than planning something spectacular.

  ON TUESDAY TONI TOOK OFF early to get ready for her date. She couldn’t recall when her last date had occurred, although she remembered that the man had been a farm-implements salesman she’d met at a Chamber of Commerce meeting in Graham. The night had been awkward at best, and had resulted in no subsequent dates.

  Toni figured she was so rusty in the dating department that she’d never have another one. At least, not around here.

  And yet, here she was, standing in front of her closet, still damp from her shower, experiencing major angst over what she was going to wear. Jeans and a nice sweater, or long skirt and boots, or what? She had a few pantsuits she wore to public events, but those were too conservative and formal for a date with Wyatt. Jeans seemed so casual and ordinary. She moved through the hangers, frowning at her choices. She needed to go shopping if she was going out on dates.

  Wyatt had mentioned he liked her legs. Should she show them off? Darn it, it was cold outside tonight! She couldn’t wear a short skirt and nothing on her legs. Then she remembered some tights she’d bought. She could wear a pullover sweater, short denim skirt and tights. She moved more hangers aside.

  Or she could be daring and wear this red zip-front sweater, she thought, holding it up. That would probably drive Wyatt crazy. If he made any remarks, she could simply say it was red, for Christmas. Plus, they’d be in public, not off making out as they had done so many nights when they were teenagers.

  Tonight, she was not going to sit in the balcony, nor was she going to let Wyatt pull down her zipper. Even if he sweet-talked her and told her how pretty she was.

  Just in case, though, she was going to wear her new red lace Miracle Bra. As her mother always reminded her, wear nice underwear on the off chance you have to go to the emergency room. As she decided on her clothing for tonight, she felt so young again. How many times had she called her best friend to ask what she was wearing on their double dates? Coordinating clothes was important, so that one person didn’t over- or under-dress. Plus, you wouldn’t want to end up both wearing the same thing.

  She had the strongest urge to call Jennifer, to laugh with her about how they’d gone on dates together and all the fun things they’d done. She glanced at the clock. Jennifer was probably fixing supper for her family or helping Hailey with her homework. Jennifer probably didn’t have time to talk to an old friend just now. When Toni had tried to call before, Jennifer had always seemed too busy to chat.

  The estrangement from her former best friend made Toni sad. She didn’t know how to blend their lives together. Maybe if they had something in common…But they didn’t. Not right now, anyway. Someday, if Toni married and had a family, then maybe they would be able to relate better.

  With a sigh, she took the red sweater, bra, skirt and tights into the bathroom. She had just enough time to get ready for her date.

  “WHAT DID YOU DO TODAY?” Toni asked Wyatt as they drove west on Elm Street, toward Dewey’s Steak House and Saloon. They were running a little late because she’d taken the beautiful flowers he’d brought her inside and put them in a vase. She especially liked them because they weren’t from her family’s grocery store.

  “Nothing illegal or very exciting,” he answered. “I went Christmas shopping.”

  “Really? Where did you go?”