“And how about you? Where do you live—besides the back room at the dealership.”
“Oh, I got my own little place in town,” he rejoined modestly. “Weekends I generally go home to the ranch for some horseback riding, if I’m not rodeoing.”
“Rodeoing?”
“I ride the bull.”
“You dish it out, too.” Watching him grin, she hastily cleared her throat. Suddenly, she wanted to change the subject to something safer and blurted, “I work out.” Once the words were out of her mouth, she almost groaned—not a big improvement in subject matter.
Again his appreciative gaze raked her. “I can tell. You’re in prime shape, ma’am.”
“Will you stop it with this ‘ma’am’ nonsense? Makes you sound like Roy Rogers.”
“You don’t like me calling you sugar, either,” he groused.
She was about to scold him further when a pretty older woman strolled up, dressed in a blue jean skirt, matching vest, boots and a long-sleeved red-checked shirt. “Why Pete Chisholm, as I live and breathe.”
“Gussie!” he cried, standing and giving the dark-haired woman a friendly hug. “I swear, you’re as pretty as ever.”
Gussie waved a hand. “Oh, quit flattering me, handsome, and introduce me to your friend.”
Pete grinned sheepishly. “Gussie Gutheridge, meet Allison Tracy, lately come to our fair neck of the woods from Big D.”
Gussie offered the younger woman her hand. “How do you do?”
Allison shook her hand. “Pleased to meet you.”
Gussie frowned quizzically. “Would you happen to be related to Everett Tracy of Highland Park Trust?”
“You know my father?” Allison inquired in pleasant surprise.
“I met Everett at the governor’s fund-raiser a couple years back.”
Allison flashed Pete a puzzled look, and he spoke up. “Gussie is very active in politics in Fort Bend County, and she’s been the editor of the Fort Bend County Gazette for many years now.”
“Oh, yes,” Allison replied in pleasant surprise. “You know, I was just telling Pete that my assistant is from Fort Bend County. Katie Freshausen.”
“Why, of course, I’m well acquainted with the Freshausens,” said Gussie. “We recently covered Katie’s little sister’s piano recital.”
“I know. She showed me the article. Good work.”
Gussie beamed. “Why, thank you, dear.” Slyly she turned to Pete. “Is this something serious?”
“Gussie!” he chided.
Gussie winked at Allison. “Pete’s quite a catch, you know.”
Allison smiled. She was sure he would be, to the editor of a small-town newspaper. “Yeah, Pete’s a real gem.”
Gussie cast Pete a pointed look. “Should I tell that sweet little Mary Lou hello for you? I’ll be seeing her—and your folks—at church this weekend.”
Pete colored. “Sure. Why not?”
Gussie craned her neck toward the door. “Well, I can see Dan has paid the bill and is likely revving up the truck. Guess I’d best hustle if I want a ride home. Lord only knows where that man was in heaven when they handed out the patience.”
Pete laughed. “Good to see you, Gussie.”
She shook a finger at him. “Mind your manners, boy. Nice to meet you, Ms. Tracy.”
“You, too,” Allison rejoined.
Gussie walked off, and as Pete sat down, an awkward silence fell. “Who’s sweet little Mary Lou?” Allison finally asked, simpering.
“A very old friend,” came the tight reply. “Don’t concern yourself about her.”
“Why should I be concerned?” Allison retorted, too sharply. “I was merely curious. Besides, we’re just—”
“I know, out for a ride,” he interrupted, but with good humor.
The waitress swept back up, depositing their dinners. “Enjoy it, folks.”
Allison’s mouth dropped open and she stared bug-eyed at the huge plate, overflowing with the biggest chicken-fried steak she’d ever seen. The gigantic fritter spilled over the edges, smothered in cream gravy, as were the mashed potatoes and corn. Stacked on the sides of the plate were wedges of Texas toast, and the aroma rising from the combined feast was tantalizing.
“You’ve got to be kidding,” Allison exclaimed. “You expect me to eat all of this?”
Obviously having the time of his life, he leaned toward her. “Honey, you shouldn’t discourage a man regarding your, er, oral capacity on a first date.”
She hurled a paper coaster at him, but the devil only grinned. “This isn’t a date. It’s a lifetime supply of cholesterol.”
“What do you care? You’re gorgeous.”
“How do you think I got that way? By eating at these kinds of greasy spoons?”
“No. You work out.”
“And you ride.”
His gaze flicked to hers. “Yeah.”
He was too much! If dinner was a tall order, this guy was Pikes Peak. Allison dove into her meal to hide her scalded cheeks. The food was wonderful. It melted in her mouth. She found herself eating ravenously while gulping down beer.
“You’d think I’d never had a meal before,” she confided.
“Yeah. You ladies with your salads and pasta.” Leaning toward her, he murmured, “I’ve always thought getting her hands on a thick piece of meat awakens a primal hunger in a woman—and I can see I’m right.”
Allison’s gaze snapped up to his. She was shocked and riveted by his loaded comment.
“See what I do to you?” he inquired.
What you do to me. Not about to respond, barely able to hear him over her pounding heart, Allison took another scrumptious bite. “My God, this is decadent.”
“Not quite what you’re accustomed to in good old Highland Park, eh?”
“You say ‘Highland Park’ as if it’s an obscenity.”
“Not exactly a ripe atmosphere for pickup trucks and barbecue—unless there’s a secret life shared by bankers’ daughters that you’re not telling me about.”
That comment touched a nerve, and Allison frowned at him. “No secret life at all. Just a typical Highland Park home. Two people who married more for business and social reasons than for love—and an older brother who was a bookworm.”
“Leaving you to be the wild child?” he asked with an unexpected touch of gentleness.
Realizing she’d confided in Pete more than she’d intended, Allison lifted her chin. “I don’t think I was any wilder than any other SMU girl. But then, you know the type, right?”
A sheepish look came over him. “Hey, Allison, I apologize. I didn’t mean to sound so jaded. And I’m sorry for what you missed as a child. I grew up in a very warm and loving home.” Abruptly his expression hardened. “The only problem being my shit of a younger brother.”
She laughed. “So that’s how you got the idea that younger siblings are trouble.”
He leaned toward her, mischief gleaming in his eyes. “Honey, you’re trouble. But in the best possible way.”
Feeling