rich rancher, but I don’t think he’s trying to get what you think. If he were, he could probably find it a lot closer to where he lives. Mark my words, if you see that man again, he’s looking for something more.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Jackson Wheeler is the eldest son of Daniel Wheeler. I know you don’t keep up with ranches in the area, but the Wheeler family owns them.”
“Them?”
“Yes, sweetheart, as in almost all the major cattle herds in our great state. Your admirer's property starts about an hour from here and extends darn near to the end of the state. Honey, if he is still up this far north, it's for a reason.”
I laughed. “And you think that reason is me? I doubt it. He’s probably running from a wife or girlfriend. I don’t want to be anyone’s side piece.”
“You know what? You are going to think and do whatever you want.” Her tone was harsh. “You always have. I’ve given you my advice, so what you do with it, that’s up to you. I think you are reading the whole thing wrong and you are going to regret it. A man is showing a real interest in you, but you are too stubborn to see that.”
My cheeks flushed. “Mom—”
“I’m tired,” she closed her eyes. “Aren’t you going to be late for work?”
With a heavy sigh, I grabbed my bag and made for the door. I was still a little stunned at my mother's stern words. She’d always loved that I was independent and rarely dated. Hell, I hadn’t had a real boyfriend since coming back from college, but that wasn’t her fault. I just wasn’t looking for a man who wanted me to be nothing more than a wife.
There was more to life than sitting at home, raising a man’s babies. Not that it was a lifestyle I begrudged other women; it just wasn’t what I wanted. In Texas, though, not wanting to stay home and be a mother was practically a scarlet letter. I’d met men before; I’d even dated. Yet every single date turned into the same nightmare. I was cute. I was fun. I must be ready to settle down.
It was always a shock to the man when I informed them that no, I didn’t want to be a wife and doormat. First dates rarely led to second ones, and the few that had, had never made it to a third. My mother couldn’t seem to understand that I wanted nothing to do with the life that she wanted for me. It didn’t matter if it were Jackson or another perfect man. Settling down wasn’t in the cards for me.
I made it to the bar in just a few minutes, quickly turning on the “open” sign and flicking on the lights. Our cook was already in the back, slamming dishes around as he roused the stove for the breakfast crowd. It wasn’t normal for a bar to serve breakfast, but in Texas, finding a hot meal was rare in the cattle fields. While most ranches had their own cooks, the hands couldn’t always get back across the plethora of acreage to the mess hall in time.
A few men came in, smiling as I set down a fresh pot of coffee on their table. Behind them, another man came in, sitting at the bar. After taking the first round of orders, I made my way over to him with a mug of strong, black coffee in my hand. I’d seen him in the bar a time or two, always for breakfast and never drinking late at night. He had a kind smile.
“What can I get you, hun?” I asked.
He took a deep swig of the hot brew. “Whatever the cook’s making fresh and hot. I’ve got no preference, ma’am.”
“Hailey, sweetheart. There is no ma’am here.” I gave him a wink.
He grinned at me. “All right Hailey, thank you.”
“I’ll get him making you something hot real fast. How’s the week looking?” I asked.
“It’s gonna be a good one. You go to the auctions?” he asked.
I shook my head. I only knew about the monthly auctions that were held a few miles away because of my patrons. The man at the bar always seemed to come in on the same mornings they were held. I’d assumed that he played a part in them because of that; my hunch seemed correct.
“No, but lots of the guys around here do.” I shrugged. “You get to know your audience,