Hotter than Texas (Pecan Creek) - By Tina Leonard Page 0,46
word about your…problem, I will change my locks. I swear it.”
Kel nodded. “Sorry. It’s just on my mind.”
“No shit.” Jake sighed. “Did you ever romance Debbie?”
“No. We started having kids right off the bat. We got married because of the kids.” A sad smile turned up his lips. “I love my kids.”
“And you love your wife.” Jake sighed. “Look, give yourself a deadline. You’ve got to win your wife back by X deadline. And then focus, man.”
“Like when?”
There was a lot happening at Christmastime. The holidays could make or break a relationship. The Hot Nuts’ lease was up at Christmas.
Sugar might leave right after Christmas.
Jake had to change that. “Tell yourself that you’re going to be back in your house by Christmas. Then work toward that like you’ve never worked before.”
Kel looked at him. “You really don’t think I have a shot with Lucy, do you?”
“Kel,” Jake said, his voice slow and steady so his friend could understand, “you have no more shot with Lucy than I have of turning into a woman. You have no shot with Lucy at all. The end of the world will come before you ever see the inside of Lucy Cassavechia’s short skirts.”
Kel blinked. “That’s kind of harsh, J.T.”
It was, maybe, but it was the truth. “I’m going to shower.”
“Thanks for everything, Jake,” Kel said.
“Buck up. It’s going to be all right. You’ve fought tougher battles,” Jake said, lying, because all that mattered in life was a man’s family. He ought to know. His mother had never been the same after his father had left. He knew better than to cross Sugar’s live-wire fence since she’d recently signed divorce papers—she lived for Lucy and Maggie. He didn’t dare screw up with her.
It would be too late by Christmas, Kel’s deadline of winning Debbie back. Sugar might not sign an extension on the lease, and then she’d be gone, and he’d be alone here in PC again.
Without Sugar, the only woman who managed to make him laugh, make him horny as hell. Make him alive again.
He set himself a deadline of winning her heart.
Deadlines are good. Hell, it might even save me from PC.
It was ten o’clock the next morning—Sugar had slept in a bit and then made herself a leisurely breakfast, giving herself plenty of time to smile over yesterday afternoon’s fun with Jake—when it hit her that she hadn’t heard her mother or her sister moving around the house.
This was not good. Maggie was a morning person, and Lucy had gotten in the habit of getting up early and taking long walks that usually lasted until afternoon. Sugar didn’t know exactly where her sister went, but she seemed so much happier these days that Sugar didn’t pry.
But the fact that neither one of them had come down to hang out in the kitchen, their standard hangout, was curious. Sugar went up the stairs to look around.
She opened Maggie’s door quietly, in case her mother wasn’t feeling well. There were days in the past when the breast cancer had tired her out; the treatments had taken their toll. “Mom?” she said softly.
When there was no answer, she opened the drapes.
Maggie’s bed hadn’t been slept in, except by Paris, who thumped her golden tail at her languidly. “If you’re going to be the patsy, you’re supposed to hide under the covers and convince me you’re Maggie. Some patsy you are.”
Sugar went to look for Lucy. “Lucy?” she said, opening the door to the Belle Watling room.
Lucy’s bed hadn’t been slept in.
Only Sugar’s bed had been slept in. She wished she’d slept in Jake’s bed—then told herself that was a foolhardy thought.
She dialed Lucy’s cell. “Where are you?” she demanded when Lucy answered.
“Out walking. I think I’ll stop by the library,” Lucy said.
“What’s with all this newfound health consciousness?” Sugar asked her sister.
“I like it. I feel great,” Lucy said. “You should try getting some exercise, Sugar. It’s very liberating.”
Sugar thought she detected some laughter in her sister’s voice. “Maggie’s bed hasn’t been slept in.”
“What do you mean, her bed hasn’t been slept in?”
“Just what I said. She hasn’t been home.”
“Call Granddaddy Longlegs.”
Sugar sighed. “And say what? Bring Mom home, or we’ll ground you?”
Lucy was silent for a moment. “This is not good. He’s up to no good.”
“I doubt Lassiter is doing anything Maggie doesn’t want done.” Sugar was slightly uncomfortable with the fact that her mother had a boyfriend, a more serious relationship than she herself had, apparently. “I need to go.”