In the general laughter that followed, Case spared a moment to marvel at how things had changed. Not long ago, women had finally been admitted into the hallowed halls of the club as full members.
Times, they were a-changin’...
Case looked at Mac with a lifted brow. “I thought Logan was joining us for lunch.” Logan Wade was Mac’s best friend and one of his key investors.
“He bought three new horses last week,” Mac said, “and they’re being delivered today. You know how he is.”
They all nodded. Horses and women. Logan’s two favorite things.
Mac pinned Case with a knowing gaze. “Quit changing the subject. We were talking about you and your soon-to-be-impossible schedule.”
“Gil Addison has a son and a wife,” Case pointed out. “And he’s been a great president. I’m blissfully single.”
“True,” Mac said. “You’re forgetting, however, that Gil is Superman. No offense, buddy, but those are big shoes to fill.”
“Your support is duly noted.”
Parker, arguably the smartest man in the room, added his two cents’ worth. “You’ve always liked a challenge, Case. Don’t let them mess with your head. You’ve got this.”
“Thanks.” Case had enormous respect for the dedicated though reserved neonatal specialist. Royal’s hospital was lucky to have a doctor of Parker’s caliber on staff.
Jeff chimed in, mischief written all over his face. “Parker has more faith in you than I do. I’ve been in your house, Case. It’s such a mess you can’t even find the TV remote half the time. I’d suggest burning your place to the ground if we weren’t in the middle of a drought.”
Case’s neck heated. Organization was not his strong suit. Another fact that called his ability to perform his newly acquired duties into question.
“I’ve already thought about that,” he said. “And I have a plan.”
Mac gave their waitress a smile as she brought their desserts. “Do tell.”
Case stuck a fork in his apple cobbler. “I’m going to hire a housekeeper.”
The other three men stared at him.
Mac lifted his spoonful of ice cream and waved it in the air. “You do know she would have to come inside your house for that to work?”
“Very funny.” Case squared his shoulders. “I have the Texas Cattleman’s Club to run now. I have to make compromises.”
Jeff still seemed shocked. “But what about your rule number one? Never allow a female into the man cave.”
“Unless she’s a relative.” Parker supplied the exception. “Is this new housekeeper a relative?”
Case deserved the inquisition. He was known for his only-half-joking rules for dealing with the female sex. When he was involved in intimate relationships, he preferred to spend the night at the woman’s home. So he could leave when he wanted to. “I made the rules,” he said, his chin thrust out. “And I can change them. This woman will be a stranger...an employee. She won’t be a relative, but she might as well be. I’m not hiring a woman—I’m hiring a housekeeper.”
He gave them a warning scowl. “I’ve learned from my mistakes, believe me.” The men at the table knew the unsavory details of Case’s not-so-happy marriage. He’d had a fling with his family’s accountant, married her and soon found out that she was more interested in spending Case’s money than in being a loving wife. It was a salutary lesson.
Jeff turned down a second beer but took a long swig of his water. “Hey, man. A guy’s gotta do what a guy’s gotta do. And besides, up until the tornado last year, this club-president gig wasn’t all that onerous. You’ll be fine.”
Everyone nodded, but Case saw his own reservations reflected on their faces. Ever since the F4 tornado that had decimated Maverick County and the town of Royal barely over a year ago, the Texas Cattleman’s Club had become one of the anchors that held things together.
Coordinating rescue efforts, keeping up morale, applying for grants, planning reconstruction and renovation—the club and its president had served the people of Royal well. Life was mostly back to normal, but there was still work to be done. So Case couldn’t kid himself into thinking that his new job title was ceremonial only.
Jeff interrupted the momentary silence. “If we’re finished raking Case over the coals, I have a serious subject to bring up. Shouldn’t we be worried about all the ranches and other parcels of land that have been sold in Royal lately? And almost all of it to a single buyer? Does anybody but me think it’s a little odd?”
Mac shrugged. “I’m not really concerned. A number of people were demoralized by the storm or too strapped for cash to rebuild. It sounds like they’re getting good offers and the chance to start over somewhere else.”
Parker’s brow furrowed. “I hadn’t heard about this.”
Case nodded. “Nolan Dane is back in town and is representing a company called Samson Oil in these acquisitions. It doesn’t make sense to me, though. Why would an oil company be interested in the land? The tracts he’s buying up were checked for oil decades ago.” Nolan was raised in Royal, but had been gone for a long time.
“Maybe they’re planning to use some of the newer technology and hoping to get lucky,” Mac said.
Jeff shook his head. “Nolan seems like a decent guy, but I’m not a big fan of lawyers, particularly when someone else is hiding behind that lawyer’s legal speak.”
“We should give him the benefit of the doubt,” Parker said. “At least as long as the people selling are getting a fair shake. It seems to me that Case will be in a perfect position to keep tabs on this kind of thing.”
Case glanced at his watch. “Speaking of my upcoming lifestyle change, I have an appointment in forty-five minutes to interview my new domestic assistant.”
“Is that the politically correct term these days?” Jeff seemed dubious.
Parker scrawled his name on the check, charging it to his club account as was their custom. “I think Case is trying to convince himself that a woman won’t ruin his carefully preserved chaos.”
Mac nodded, his grin broad. “I never met a woman yet who didn’t want to domesticate a man. No matter how old she is.”
Case lifted an eyebrow. “I am the newly elected president of a venerable organization whose members have run this town for over a century. I think I can handle a housekeeper.” He stood, and his friends followed suit.
Mac shook his hand. “You can count on me in the days ahead, sir.”
Case grinned. “Bite me.”
Parker saluted. “Happy to serve under your command.”
Jeff bowed. “Mi casa es su casa if you need a place to hide out.”
“Everybody’s a comedian.” As Case said his goodbyes and headed out to the parking lot, he reminded himself what a lucky man he was. He had a ranch and land he loved, a wide circle of friends, and now the respect and a nod of confidence from his peers who had voted for him.
If he could iron out this housekeeper thing, no pun intended, his life would be under control.
* * *
Mellie Winslow took in the sights as she made her way down the long driveway leading to the B Hive Ranch. Case Baxter’s fields and fences were immaculate, several varieties of placid cattle grazing peacefully as far as the eye could see. She envied him the order and success of his thriving operation.
Though her own small business, the Keep N