Cowboy Lullaby (The Boones of Texas 6)

Scarlett shrugged. “I’ve given up trying to figure him out.”

“Da da,” Pearl said, yawning.

“Nap time?” Scarlett asked.

He nodded. “I’d feel better if we hold off rooting through the cabin, until I can make sure it’s safe. If that’s okay?”

Tandy frowned.

“Better safe than sorry,” he murmured.

She nodded. “I’ll just wash these again.” She glanced at her clothing.

“My washing machine works just fine,” he said.

“Then I’ll see ya’ll for dinner?” Scarlett asked. “Unless you want to come with me now?” She glanced back and forth between them.

Tandy glanced at him, her cheeks going red. “Do you mind taking me later?” she asked.

He grinned, shaking his head.

“I can sing to Pearl,” Tandy said. “She likes it when I sing to her. Don’t you, Pearl?”

“Ta-dee sing.” Pearl nodded, reaching for her. “Sing sing.”

Scarlett smiled. “Well, then. I’ll see you later. Watermelon for dessert.” She winked and left them.

Tandy stared after her cousin. “I should probably go with her.”

“Is that what you want?” he asked, unloading the groceries into the back of the truck.

Her eyes were light mossy green in the afternoon Texas sun, boring into his and holding him captive. She drew in an unsteady breath. “You ready to go, Pearl?” she asked. Her gaze falling from his.

He could breathe then. She wanted to stay with them. And damn if he wasn’t smiling from ear to ear.

“Go go,” Pearl said, reaching for Tandy. “Bashee?”

“He’s waiting at home,” Tandy said, opening the back door and buckling Pearl into the truck. “We’ll go see Banshee now. Then go night-night.” She yawned.

“You holding up okay?” he asked. “When do you go back to the doctor to have your stitches checked out?”

She shrugged. “Next week.” Her eyes searched his as she climbed into the passenger seat. “Stop worrying about me.”

He shook his head, closing the passenger door behind her.

Tandy and Pearl sang most of the way home. When they weren’t singing, they carried on a sort of one-sided conversation that Tandy managed to understand—sort of. He had no idea what his daughter was saying, but they were giggling and it was hard to ask too many questions. When they got there, Pearl wanted Tandy.

“I know, I know,” he said. “Tandy sing.”

Pearl smiled, so did Tandy.

“Go on,” he said, unloading the groceries.

He put the groceries away, the sound of Tandy’s sweet voice floating down the hallway. He poured himself a glass of the tea she’d made earlier and stared out the kitchen window. In the distance, he saw Lynnie’s goats. Correction, his goats were lazily eating their way across the tall grass.

He needed to put in some sheep and goat wire before the herd wandered onto the Boone property. He knew Tandy wouldn’t have minded a little goat-powered lawn-mowing service. Woodrow Boone was another matter altogether.

He paused, mulling over the motivation for tonight’s dinner invitation. What would his neighbor do if he knew Click wasn’t ready to sell? Not now. Maybe never.