us either way.” When the small skunk jumped down, everyone watched with amusement as she made her way straight to Clint.
“I’ve always heard you’re known by the company you keep,” Jensen murmured with a smile. “I’m kidding, she’s cute. She reminds me of the skunk named Flower in the movie Bambi.”
“I can take her home with me.” Beau offered. “She can join my zoo.”
“No.” Clint announced abruptly. “She can stay with me. I don’t have a pet and I’ve been meaning to get one.”
Beau grinned. “Good man.” He pointed toward his truck. “I have a crate. We’ll fix her up a cozy spot until you’re ready to take the little lady to her new home.”
Jensen was surprised. Moving to stand by Clint, she looked up into his face. “Classy move, Wilder. I’m impressed.”
“What? You’re surprised I’m a nice guy?” Clint held out his hands to take the skunk from Bowie.
“No. I knew you were a nice guy.” She just hadn’t realized how nice.
“What am I going to call you?” Clint was surprised to find how small she was beneath all her thick fur. “How about Rose? Is that a good name?”
“It’s a fine name.” Jensen agreed as they moved toward the lodge.
“So, what’s our prize?” Clint asked as he tucked Rose against his side like he was carrying a football.
“Restaurant gift cards.” Joseph handed them both an envelope. “Don’t worry. You each have your own. You don’t have to share.” This comment was aimed at Jensen with a wink and a grin. “When you two are ready, lunch is set up in the lodge, buffet style.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I get my little buddy settled with a soft spot to rest and plenty of water,” Clint assured his cousin. “Save me a spot.” This directive was aimed at Jensen.
“Yea, sure.” For a few moments, she observed him as he met Beau at his truck. The Cajun took down a wire cage and together they made the little skunk comfortable. When she saw them take the carrier to rest beneath a shady oak, she decided to head on in for a bit of lunch.
Once she was in line with her plate, Jensen’s stomach rumbled. The food looked great. Large platters of brisket and ribs were lined up next to huge bowls of baked beans and potato salad.
“Jensen! Over here!”
Waving at Desiree, she grabbed a glass of tea, hurrying over to join the pretty lady. “Hey, this spread looks great.”
“Thanks.” She waved off the compliment. “Tanner loves to grill. The sides were easy…but the dessert is spectacular.” Pointing at a huge cobbler. “Dewberry. I picked them myself.”
“Oh, yum.” Jensen licked her lips. “I love to pick berries. I visited a farm in Salado a few days ago.”
“You need to come visit me.” Clint spoke up as he joined them. “There’s a huge berry patch behind my house. Some of them are this big.” He made an ‘o’ shape with his thumb and first finger to show the size.
Jensen didn’t know what to say. “You should pick them. I bet your mother would make you a pie.”
The thought made Clint laugh. “I love my mother. She has been my rock.” He looked between Jensen and Desiree, his eyes twinkling. “But she can’t bake worth beans. Her real talent is gardening. She can make anything grow.”
“From what Joseph tells us, she raised six wonderful children.”
Jensen couldn’t hide her smile. Tanner’s wife might be a star, but she was also a very kind person and being around Clint was a little different than she thought it would be. “How’s Rose?” she asked him.
“She’s got it made the shade,” was his answer.
“Is Rose one of your sisters?” Desiree asked as she wiped some BBQ sauce from the corner of her mouth with a napkin.
“Ha!” Jensen giggled at the thought.
“No.” Clint pulled out his phone. “I just took this picture a few minutes ago. Rose is my new pet…” He handed his cell to Desiree. “Skunk.”
“Ah, it’s so cute!”
Jensen enjoyed watching Clint beam with pride at the woman’s praise.
“She was determined for me to notice her, wasn’t she, Jensen?”
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Jensen agreed. “She took one look at him and fell instantly in love.”
“Alas.” Clint winked at her. “I wish I had that effect on all the women in my life.”
“I bet you do.” Desiree stood to her feet to address everyone in the room. “Can I bring everybody some cobbler? How about ice cream?”