Ride Rough - Tessa Layne Page 0,10

to you. I thought we were through when the tornado ripped through here a few years ago. I thought about throwing in the towel and retiring to the ranch to help Teddy. But now look at this place. It's better than ever, and so are all of us. So you just never know, hon. Now's the time to try something brand-new."

"You're right," she agreed, covering a yawn. Exhaustion was quickly catching up with her.

"Go home, unpack and take a nap, then take a long hot shower, and come back for some lunch. If you want to talk to Brian over at the paper, I'll put in a good word for you, but my offer stands. You've got a job here first thing tomorrow. I arrive at five-thirty."

Cecilia blinked. She and morning didn't exactly see eye to eye. She had savings, but not a lot, and what else was she going to do? Eat donuts and watch Dr. Phil reruns while her friends moved on with life? Hell, no. She wasn't a quitter. She might be down, but she sure as hell wasn't out, and if working for Dottie meant rising with the roosters, well, she could do that. She shuddered. Better that than what she'd witnessed undercover when she was researching her story. Dottie was right. Working at the diner might not be her dream job, but it was honest work. And safe. She nodded and rose. "Okay, I'll think about it today. And I'll take you up on lunch. I'm sure the fridge is empty at home."

"I got a postcard from your mama a week ago, see?" She pointed to a photo of the Eiffel Tower. "Seems like they're having a real good time."

Cecilia perked up at the wistful note in Dottie's voice. When her grandfather passed fifteen years ago, her mom had promised to take her mother on the once-in-a-lifetime trip Cecilia's grandfather had always promised, and it might never have happened except for the incredible generosity of Mariah's boyfriend, Harrison Steele. The man was so rich he could buy and sell countries, but he was devoted to her sister, so Cecilia approved. Lord knew, the women who'd raised them had more than earned something big like this. They'd sacrificed so much for her and Mariah. Too much. Mariah's words returned to her. Maybe she should fix up the house for them while they were gone. It would be the perfect gesture of thanks. Cecilia gave the woman who was everyone's second mom a smile. "Maybe you and Teddy can travel someday."

For a split second, Dottie's face slipped, and Cecilia was startled at the raw longing in her eyes. Was that how her mother and grandmother had felt for so many years? Putting their own dreams on hold to take care of others?

"Maybe someday, maybe not. I've had a good life right here." She huffed out a breath and stood. "And you need a nap, child. You look like you're ready to collapse. Drive careful, okay?"

"It's only a mile, if that. I'll be fine."

Dottie clicked her tongue. "You know what they say about most accidents happening close to home. You want a coffee refill?"

"I'm good." She hugged Dottie, briefly sagging into the woman's fierce embrace. "See you soon?"

Dottie held open the door. "I'll be here."

Cecilia walked out with significantly more spring in her step. Ignoring the stares of the old-timers, she pushed through the door, filling her lungs with the fresh morning air that still held a hint of dew as she picked her way back to her Volvo, easily the saddest looking car in the lot squeezed in between two ginormous pickups. How did these old guys enter and exit these monstrosities? The running boards easily came up to her hip. "We're not in Kansas anymore," she muttered, giggling at her own joke as she squeezed into her car. The ignition sputtered, finally roaring to life on the second try. Cecilia patted the dash. "Don't give up on me now mamacita. I can't afford to replace you." Peering in the rearview she eased back, bopping along to her favorite new song by K.C. Starr. As soon as the coast looked clear, she gunned it, letting the tires spin on the gravel.

CRUNCH!

Chapter Six

Cecilia's neck snapped back as the sickening crunch of tearing metal and breaking glass filled her ears. She gasped, quickly removing her feet from the gas and the clutch. The car lurched and stalled. What in the hell?

No.

Nonononono.

Sickening realization set in. But she couldn't have hit