Hotter than Texas (Pecan Creek) - By Tina Leonard Page 0,92
thoughtful. “So the real problem is the parade, huh? The notoriety my business will bring to the town?”
He hesitated. “Sugar, don’t make me the bad guy. I’m trying to help.”
She looked at him a long time. He could tell she didn’t trust him. He guessed he deserved that.
“I don’t know what to think,” she finally said. “I just think I hear Vivian’s voice when you talk.”
“You might hear her voice,” Jake said, “but it’s to our benefit for Hotter than Hell Nuts to be a wild success. You’re renting our house, you’re buying our pecans, your taxes will go to this town. We have a vested interest in your success.”
She nodded. “So we’ll push the opening back.”
Now he was annoyed. He hated being accused of being underhanded. “Look, I’m no hero, Sugar. But I’m not the evil Grinch of this town, either. I’m sorry things aren’t working out at the moment. I think it will in the future.” He wanted to stop himself right there, told himself to, but the words came to the surface before he could stop them. “I am not the one who had a blog that was about hot, sexy nuts and creamy, silky sauces.”
Sugar stared at him, almost as if he’d struck her. Jake shook his head and got in his truck. He’d made a huge mistake. He’d let hurt and temper get the best of him. He wished he was holding Sugar right now, comforting her. No one knew better than he did how difficult it was to get a business off the ground. There were a thousand different decisions that had to be made, and every single one felt like a heavy weight until the day the first customer showed up and the register finally rang.
He drove away, knowing he’d gone way over the line—and pretty sure there was no way to back up and erase the damage.
Which just killed him.
“Heard you’ve been looking for me.”
Kel sat on his porch, a lump of sheer misery.
Jake sat down next to his friend. “How’ve you been?”
“Better, that’s for sure.” Kel shrugged. “I’ll be better again.”
Jake hardly knew what to say. “It sucks, man.”
“I know.” He sighed. “Although Debbie called me the other day, so things might be looking up. She only called to talk about the kids, but it was the first time she’s called me since she threw out my stuff.”
“So now what?” Jake stood up. “Tell me while we go inside and get a beer.”
Kel followed him. “I think I’ll sell you my share of Bait and Burgers.”
Jake handed him a beer. “Seriously?”
Kel nodded. “I’m thinking about moving to Dallas. Getting a job where I can make more money. I’ve even been toying with going back into the military.”
Jake blinked. “Kel, man, think. Your kids’ll miss the hell out of you. It’ll destroy your family.”
“Jake, I’m not part of my family anymore. I’m satellite dad, floating around out on the edge, not part of anything.” He sighed, sunk in misery. “The day my pecker failed was the day my whole life changed.”
“Holy crap,” Jake said, “if all Debbie wants is a—”
Kel held up a big paw. “That’s what Debbie wanted. Now Debbie wants a divorce. Ever heard of the cow that left the barn? My cow’s run down the road.” Kel looked up at the ceiling. “My cow is dead as a doornail.”
Jake sank into a chair. “Doesn’t Debbie know that Lucy and Bobby are a hot item?”
“Doesn’t fix my problem. Doesn’t fix her female fixation that I had the hots for another woman.” Kel looked at him. “I need to get a fresh start. Get a real job. Get my self-esteem back.”
Knocking sounded on the front door. “Hang on,” Jake said. “Keep that thought. We’re not done with working on your problem.”
He opened the door, astonished to find Sugar on his front porch. “Hello?”
“Hello, yourself. Invite me in, and yes, I’d like a beer just like the one you’re holding.”
“Come on in. Kel and I could use some female enlightenment.”
Sugar went inside. “Hello, Kel.”
“Sugar.” Kel stood. “I guess I’d better be going.”
“Don’t you dare,” Sugar said. “I have a bone to pick with you.”
“A bone?” Kel sank back into the leather sofa. “I hope it’s a small one.”
“Super-sized, actually.” She sat down next to Kel. “Your wife talked to me when I was shopping for ribbons.”
“Oh.” Kel shrugged. “Free country, I guess.”
“She says you have a thing for Lucy. I told her that you told me you loved her—Debbie.” Sugar held up