now that we’ve finished painting, can we get to the real reason you called me and Logan over, Hold?” Cru asked. “Penny wants to stop by Mesquite Springs before we head to the Dixon’s Halloween party. And I’d much rather go skinny dipping with my wife than hang out with you yahoos.”
“The real reason?” Val asked. “What are you talking about, Cru?”
“The love bug up your ass.”
Holden rolled his eyes. “Real smooth, Cru. Real smooth.”
Val stared at his friends. “I don’t have a love bug up my ass. Where did you get that from?”
“Lucas seems to think you have a thing for Reba Dixon,” Holden said.
Logan set the paint roller he held down in the tray. “So does Evie. She wants me to kick your ass for hurting her friend. And if I won’t do it, she plans to.”
Val stared at him. “Hurting her friend? I didn’t hurt her friend. Reba was the one who kicked me out. After I mowed her lawn and did her dishes and saved her from getting with a youngster who was only after sex, she told me to go back to New York. She doesn’t need me. In fact, she doesn’t need anyone. She can do everything just fine and dandy by herself—even if it kills her.” He threw his paintbrush at the paint can, but it missed and landed on the ground, splattering red paint on Cru’s boot.
“Dammit, Val. If these weren’t my working boots, I’d kick your butt.” Cru grabbed a nearby rag and wiped off the paint. “For a man who hasn’t been bit by the love bug, you sound pretty pissed off.”
“He has a point,” Logan said. “If you don’t care about Reba, you wouldn’t be so angry.”
“Or hangdog looking.” Cru punched him in the arm. “’Fess up, bro, you do have the love bug up your ass.”
“It is not the love bug!” He yelled. When all his friends just stared at him with knowing looks, he finally gave in. “Fine. I’ve been bitten. Are you happy now?” He took off his cowboy hat and ran a hand through his hair. “I never should’ve come here for peace and quiet. Not only have I been hassled by an ornery woman, but now I’m being hassled by my ornery friends.”
“We aren’t hassling you,” Holden said. “We just want to know what happened, and if there’s something we can do to help.”
“There’s nothing to do. She wants me gone. So I’m leaving.”
“Did you tell her you loved her?”
“She didn’t give me a chance.”
Cru laughed. “That’s pure bullshit, Val. You just chickened out. Believe me, I know. I was a big ol’ chicken where love was concerned. Thank God Penny wasn’t.”
Val opened his mouth to argue, but then closed it again. Cru was right. He had chickened out. He could’ve stopped Reba from walking out by pulling her into his arms and confessing his love. But he’d been scared. Not only that she didn’t return his love, but also scared that she did.
Love took commitment and action. He couldn’t see Reba leaving her beloved boardinghouse. Nor could he ask her too. The old house was her life. Which meant he was the one who would have to commit to changing his life. And change was scary. Especially for a man who had worked so hard to get where he was. Moving here would be like moving backwards.
How could he be Valentine Sterling in Simple, Texas?
Before he could answer the question, a white Ford 150 pulled into the yard. Boomer woke up from his nap and barked the alarm as he scrambled to his feet and charged to the truck. A large man in a tan hat, black tie, white pressed shirt, khaki pants, and spit-polished boots got out. He knelt and greeted the dog before he took off his hat and flashed a grin.
“I’m lookin’ for the Double Diamond boys. Anyone know where I can find them?”
“Linc!” Cru hurried over and gave Lincoln a back-thumping hug. “How the hell have you been, man?”
“From what I hear, not as good as some.” Lincoln glanced at Logan and Holden. “I can believe Cru tied the knot. He never could stay away from the women. But you two confirmed bachelors surprised me.”
“People change.” Logan shook Lincoln’s hand and pulled him in for a hug. “Good to see you, Linc.”
“You too.” Lincoln looked at Holden. “You still looking out for the underdog, Hold?”
“Are you still arresting criminals?”
“Every chance I get.” Lincoln gave Holden a man-hug before he