morning, so I guess lemonade?” she said.
“The staff meeting won’t be long. I’m waiting on
a few more employees. After that, we can take a
drive; go back to the ranch, or whatever.”
Darla nodded. Cody turned around and started to
walk back toward the swinging doors. He paused a
moment and with one hand on the door he turned to
face her. “You probably should start thinking about
what it is you really want. You know—stay, or go.”
Darla arched her eyebrows. “True. I guess I need
to be a grown-up and make some decisions.”
Cody pushed the door open and walked into the
kitchen. Darla watched as the doors swung back and
forth a few times. She sighed. “I know I’ve said and
done some dumb things in my life, but that right
there is the sweetest dumbest thing I’ve done in a
long time,” she mused. She turned back around and
gazed out the window, forgetting all about deciding
on the next step of her future.
Chapter Five
After the meeting, Cody headed out to the main
dining area to get Darla. She wasn’t sitting where
he’d left her. He glanced around the room and
couldn’t see her. He made his way toward the
restrooms when he heard a faint sobbing sound. He
gently pushed open the women’s bathroom door.
“Darla. Are you in here? Is everything all right?”
Cody waited for some sort of confirmation it was
indeed her. Suddenly he heard someone blowing
their nose. “Yes. I’m fine. I’ll be right out.”
Cody shook his head. He let the door swing back
in place and went to the table he’d left her at. Soon
she was making her way toward him. She was
blotting her eyes and wiping her nose.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing.”
“Clearly something is the matter. You’re crying,”
he said softly, as he touched her on the arm.
“It’s just that I’m such a mess. I’m thirty-five
years old, don’t have a place to call home, am a
drifter, and all my adult life I’ve made some
immature decisions. I don’t have anything to show
for my thirty-five years. I’m a disgrace to the human
race,” she wept.
Cody reached his arms around her and pulled her
close. “You’re not a disgrace. I happen to like your
quirky little self,” he said, hugging her firmly.
Darla relaxed into his arms, and he felt the
difference. He lowered his head and took a whiff of
her hair. He gently pushed her back. “You’re right,
though. You do have some grown-up decisions to
make. Do you want to stay or do you want to go?”
“If I stay, what will I do? I can’t crash at your
place.”
Cody pursed his lips. “Why can’t you?”
Darla looked into his eyes. She searched every
inch of his face. She focused on his mouth, noticing
how perfectly it was formed, and she found herself
drawn to him hard. She ran her tongue over her lips.
This was a strange moment for her. “I’ll crash your
pad under one condition.”
“Oh? And what is that?” he asked.
“You’ll let me cook and clean as repayment. Just
until I figure out what it is I’m going to exactly do
here in Dallas.”
“I guess we better stock up on tofu, then.”
Darla smiled and gently gave his arm a squeeze.
“We’re going to get along just fine, cowboy.”
* * *
Back at the ranch Cody and Tracker headed out
to the barn. Cody wasn’t used to a woman being at
his house and the two needed their space.
His plan one day was to have horses and other
livestock but with his busy schedule at the restaurant,
he found he didn’t have time to consider adding more
responsibility to his list right now. The barn served
as a reminder that he’d not achieved all his goals,
yet.
“Come on, boy, let’s take a walk.”
Cody and Tracker walked along the fenced-off
area that he hoped one day would be a secure place
for horses. Mending the fence would be his first
priority before he could even think about getting
horses.
“What am I going to do with her?” he said to
Tracker.
Tracker angled his head. He eyed his master and
listened intently as he spoke.
“She’s totally different than any woman I’ve ever
dated or been attracted to. I don’t know if we would
be that compatible. She’s a free spirit type, and I’m a
regiment type of guy. She likes tofu, and I like beef.”
Tracker didn’t take his eyes off of Cody.
“She’s so pretty, though. And I love her natural,
carefree style. I’m tired of those Dallas high society
types. The ones that wear so much make-up you
don’t know if you’re seeing the real person or not.”
Tracker got up and wandered over to his side.
Cody reached down and ran his hand down his back.
He patted him after the last stroke. “So what do you
think? Keep her or throw her back in?” Cody
chuckled at his truism.
Tracker’s tail started wagging, and suddenly he
turned his head and licked Cody’s arm. Cody let out
a hardy laugh. “I guess that means she’s a keeper.”
Tracker wagged his tail once again.
“I have to take this slow, Tracker. We’ve been
alone for a long time. I don’t feel like getting hurt
again. If it’s meant to be, it will be. No matter how
long it takes. Let’s head on home.” He reached down
and gave Tracker another pat on the butt. The two
headed back to the ranch. Cody smiled with each
step. Soon he was whistling.
* * *
“This is pretty good,” Cody said, as he took
another bite of the patty that was placed between a
whole grain bun. “You said this is a veggie burger?”
Darla nodded. “Yep. It has carrots, black beans,
and other vegetables. It’s one of my favorites.”
Cody took a sip of his iced tea and washed down
the food. “Maybe I should consider having a veggie
burger on the menu at the restaurant.”
“I think it’s a great idea,” Darla said, as she
reached for the pitcher and topped off their glasses.
“And you said these are sweet potato french
fries?”
Darla let out a deep chuckle. “Where have you
been? Lots of restaurants have sweet potato fries on
the menu.”
“I don’t go out much. I usually just eat at my
restaurant.”
Darla tilted her head. “Why are you single?”
Cody’s eyes widened. “Wow. That’s kind of
personal.”
“You’re a handsome man—you have your own
business. Look around, man, you have a lot to offer a
woman.”
Cody took another bite of his veggie burger.
“You’re not going to open up with me, huh?”
Cody reache
d over and picked up his glass of
iced tea. “I’m kind of a private guy.”
“I’m an open book. You can ask me anything,”
she said, looking deep into his eyes.
Cody squirmed a bit in his seat. She made him
feel a bit vulnerable, and he wasn’t sure he liked it.
“I’ve never found the right girl. Besides, I’m
pretty busy. Most women don’t understand the
restaurant business, and I get tired of always
apologizing for my absence.” Cody looked over at
Tracker, who was curled up on his soft bed. “Tracker
understands. He loves me no matter how long I’m
gone.”
“I keep falling for the wrong kind of guys. I once
dated a guy who was a wanted man.”
Cody gulped. “A wanted man? As in a criminal?”
Darla nodded. “One day these FBI guys break
down our hotel door and take him away in handcuffs.
I still don’t know what he was wanted for.”
“I can say with much certainty I’ve never dated a
criminal,” Cody said, shaking his head.
“That’s nothing. Another time I dated a guy who
was married. Found out he was married to two
women, and I might have been the third!”
“Okay, what’s wrong with you? Don’t you vet
your dates before you get involved with them?”
Cody asked.
Darla shrugged her shoulders. “Now I do. But
then, no.”
Cody laughed. “Just don’t tell me you dated an
ax murderer.”
Darla swallowed her bite quickly and took a sip
of her tea. “Well, not an ax murderer, but I did date
someone who killed someone.”
Cody’s eyes darkened. He studied her face. He
licked his lips, just once, and then he spoke. “I’ve
killed someone before. So I guess we do have
something in common.”
Darla’s eyes widened, and a small sound escaped
from her mouth. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said
that. I should have been more sensitive. This is not a
joking matter. Please forgive me?”
Cody lowered his head. She could see his chest
rise and fall and realized she’d touched on some bad
memory. Most likely from his days as a Marine. She
pushed her chair back and stood up. She walked over
to him and laid her hands on his shoulders. She
didn’t plan it, but she moved her hands down his
back consoling him the one way she knew how—
with a gesture. She could feel him stiffen slightly
then quickly relax. He raised his head and then he
pushed his chair back, stopping her touch.
He stood up, and the two were just inches apart.
“It’s part of my past. A dark past. I guess you’d say
we both have a past full of regrets.” He stood staring
at her, waiting for some reaction.
Darla reached out and took his hand into hers.
She gently laced her fingers in his. “Maybe we can
work through our past together. It’s been a long time
since I could really trust someone.”
Cody searched her face and then focused on her
mouth. Her beautifully shaped mouth. He leaned in
and kissed her, his tongue gently sweeping the inside
of her mouth. She let out a soft moan. Her head was
spinning and to help stable herself she reached up
and placed her hands around his neck and held on.
She didn’t know it at the time, but she was about to
be on the ride of her life.
Chapter Six
Darla had to pinch herself almost daily. Was this
really happening? Had she finally found a guy who
would respect her, take her as she was—cherish her
for always? It was too good to be true. She’d been
hurt so many times. She didn’t have enough fingers
or toes to count all of the times. On a whim, she’d
driven to a place that probably would be one of the
last places on earth she’d ever consider, and lo and
behold, in walked a man—a cowboy who might be
the answer to her prayers.
She was unconventional in how she prayed, but
nevertheless, she asked for guidance, forgiveness,
and yes, even at times, to take her away from all the
drama that seemed to find a way into her life. But
after much soul searching and growth, she came to
the conclusion that she was part of the problem. She
was falling for guys that were wrong for her, and just
when she said the heck with it, she’d go it alone, in
walked Cody.
“I’ve been thinking,” Cody said, as he walked up
behind her and gave her a hug.
She turned her head slightly, reaching up and
kissing him on the cheek. “Oh?”
Cody pulled out a chair and plopped down.
Darla propped her hands on the table and cradled
her face as she intently watched and listened.
“You haven’t figured out what you want to do,
yet. So … I thought you should come to work at the
restaurant.”
Darla dropped her hands and stiffened her
posture. “Come work at Cody’s Steakhouse … with
you?”
“I’ve been thinking about tweaking a few things
on the menu and in the décor. I want my place to be a
add the veggie burger, and a couple of other
vegetarian dishes, and spruce up the interior. Dallas
demographics are changing. You’re a perfect
example of that,” he said with a twinkle in his eyes.
“I don’t know what to say, Cody. I hope you
don’t think us having a relationship means that you
have to change. I like you just the way you are.
Cowboy boots and all,” she turned a quirky smile.
He reached across the table and took her hands
into his. He played with her fingers and then taking
his thumbs he gently massaged her wrists.
“Well, I’m glad to hear that ‘cuz I don’t want to
change you either. I like all your quirkiness.” He
reached up and took a stray hair of hers and placed it
behind her ears. She swiftly placed her hand on top
of his not allowing him to move his hand. She gently
took a hold of his hand and removed it, clasping her
hand to his.
“Do you believe in fate?” she asked.
He nodded.
“I have to. I’ve been through so much. You don’t
know the half of it. Someday, when I think you’re
ready, I’ll tell you more.”
He nodded again. “Same here. I have a few war
stories to share. But I don’t know if you’ll ever be
ready to handle it. I bet you were against the war.”
She pursed her lips. “Yes. I’m never for killing
humans, but I know it was your job. Just like it was
Bryan’s.”
Cody released his hand from hers. “That’s right,
and I would do it all over again if called upon.” He
looked off into the other room. He turned his
attention back toward her. “But that was a long time
ago. I guess you could say I’m a peace-loving dude,
now,” he laughed.
“Dude, that’s groovy. Welcome to my universe,”
she said.
He pushed his chair back from the table and
stood up. “Think about my offer.”
Darla watched as he left the room. He filled out
his Levis in all the right places. His bulging thighs
showed through the jeans and the faded blue T-shirt
he had on pulled tight against his broad shoulders
and large triceps. Darla smiled and she shook her
head. What she’d like to do to him. But things were
moving at a snail’s pace, and she was all right with
that.
* * *
The laughter coming from the kitchen was hearty
and Cody could tell everyone in that room was
having a good time. He walked in and saw Darla and
Marcus bent over a document that was on the
stainless steel counter, their heads almost touching.
Cody cleared his throat. The two looked up, and
when they saw him, they stood straight up and gave
him their full attention.
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” Cody
said.
“No. I was just showing Marcus my suggestions
for the menu.” She moved away from Marcus and
took a few steps toward Cody.
Cody made eye contact with Marcus. He nodded
his head and glared at him. He wanted him to know
he better not be flirting with her.
“So what do you think about some of these
changes, Marcus?” Cody said coolly.
Marcus hesitated briefly. “I think the veggie
burger will go over well, and I think the pasta dish
with tofu might be an interesting twist. I agree we
should have more vegetarian type dishes for our meat
lovers’ friends and families. I’m cool with the
changes,” he added.
“Good. So go ahead and implement the changes
and get the menus printed so we can get things
going,” Cody ordered.
Darla felt a bit uneasy with Cody’s gruff tone.
“Marcus was just being helpful, Cody. No need to be
so hostile.”