Hotter than Texas (Pecan Creek) - By Tina Leonard Page 0,66
under your hat, all right?”
“Same goes this way when I have company. I guess you know Miss Maggie and I have been spending time together. Mostly she writes up recipes, but I manage to romance her a little too.”
“Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. I’m happy for you.” He sighed. “You up to repairing a patio?”
“Sure. What’s the job?”
“Bobby backed into the Bait and Burgers, took out a chunk of the patio. Probably doesn’t meet code now, at the minimum, and it’s an eyesore. The concrete, the wood and the basic structure’s going to need to be replaced.”
“The owner have insurance?”
“Yeah.” Jake drummed his fingers. “But he’d like the job done right. That would involve you, if you’ve got time.”
“Who does own that place?” Lassiter asked, and Jake said, “Me. But don’t tell anyone, especially not Vivian,” and Lassiter laughed.
“I should have known. You ought to buy Pecan Fanny’s and bring it up to snuff.”
“Is Fanny selling out?”
“Yep. She’s gotten tired. Wants to spend time with the grandkids.”
“Maybe I’ll think about it.”
“Hey, I’ll come by this afternoon to look at Bobby’s artwork. See what I can do.”
“Appreciate it.” He hung up, sat down at a table. Strange winds were blowing through Pecan Creek. Lucy and the Pillars were riding in a pink convertible sans Vivian—not that Vivian would have wanted to ride in such a vehicle—but he knew very well Lucy was working for the Pillars in Minda’s underground. He wondered what was up their little lacy sleeves. Whatever it was, it did not include Vivian. Pecan Fanny wanted to sell out. Bobby liked Lucy, and Kel was getting a divorce.
He was falling for Sugar, and he couldn’t stop thinking about her even though he was missing a chunk in his restaurant.
Evert came in with Cat Jenkins, all lovey-dovey in a public way that Jake knew would drive Vivian mad. She frowned on PDA.
“You’re missing half your bait shack,” Evert said. “Who did the deed?”
“Our good friend, Bobby.” Jake smiled at Evert’s companion. “Hi, Cat.”
“Hi, Jake. I asked Evert if Bait and Burgers is doing a float for the parade this year, but he said he wasn’t sure.” She looked at him, curious. “Every business does a float.”
Jake stopped flipping through the cards in his wallet. “Parade?” He looked at Bobby. “You and Evert and Kel better get out your little pencils and start drawing off some ideas.”
Evert nodded. “You got Maggie fitted for her suit yet?”
“Suit?” Jake felt like he was ten yards behind the conversation. He didn’t care about the parade, except he had to; it was the backbone of PC’s life. All he’d been thinking about for the past several weeks was Sugar. “We’ve got to order Maggie’s suit!”
“I know,” Evert said, his tone dry. “And you’ve got to fix the billboard. Vivian’ll be annoyed if it’s not new and shiny and proclaiming Pecan Creek to the world in time for Christmas.”
The billboard Sugar wanted an ad on for her business. Jake winced. He hadn’t been quite up front with her about that, but maybe she’d forgotten about it. He hadn’t heard anything more about that or her business. Maybe she’d given the whole idea up.
Some friend you are—you don’t even ask. You just undressed her and used up a half a box of condoms, but you never asked about Hotter than Hell Nuts.
She hadn’t given up. According to Sugar, Maggie was channeling her psychic recipe box. The breakthrough for Sugar’s business could be any day now.
“I’m a son of a bitch at times,” Jake said, and Evert said, “It’s cool. We don’t let it bother us.”
Jake shook his head. This was the problem. He was a lot like Vivian; he was always running things. Even when it wasn’t obvious he was running PC, he was in it up to his neck.
He wasn’t being fair to Sugar. He was the only one who could help her—and he hadn’t bothered.
“I’ve got to go,” he said.
“Where?” Evert asked. “What about the patio? Think I better put some caution signs out and tape to keep people from going down the rabbit hole,” and Jake slapped some money down on the counter, shoving it over to Evert.
“Let me know how much more you need. I’ll be back by the dinner rush,” Jake said.
“Okay,” Evert said.
“Don’t forget the float, Jake,” Cat said, and Jake hurried toward his truck, not thinking about floats.
All he could think about was Sugar. And he was very close to making a serious mistake.