She slid off the stool but the next one was taken by a well-wrinkled old man wearing an ancient cowboy hat. “Pie,” the old man said to the waitress, shooting Poppy a hard glare before turning his back on her.
“Anyone would think you were afraid of me, Poppy White.” Toben’s soft words were teasing, but they hit a nerve.
“Here, Ma.” Rowdy slid over, putting Poppy between him and Dot. “Sorry you had a rough day.”
Toben shrugged. “Not too bad. Just hot.” He winked at Rowdy. “But it’s good now.”
The look on Toben’s face made Poppy’s heart thump.
“Aunt Poppy was teaching us how to throw a rope,” Otis said.
“A lariat,” Dot corrected. “Otis was pretty good.”
“He is,” Poppy agreed.
“Your aunt Poppy can do all sorts of rope tricks.” Toben swallowed a large spoonful of ice cream, his blue eyes meeting hers. “One of the first times we met, she showed me a trick.”
Poppy’s eyes went round.
“What happened?” Rowdy asked.
“I kept trying to get your ma to go on a date with me,” Toben said. “She was stubborn—kept turning me down and ignoring me.”
“You did?” Rowdy frowned at her.
“She took rodeo seriously. And once I figured that out, I realized I could get her attention.” He grinned. “I asked her to help me get better with my throw.” He laughed, shaking his head.
“He knew how to throw just fine.” Poppy joined in then, smiling in spite of herself.
“After fifteen minutes, she figured out what I was up to and got all riled up. And when she started to walk away, I lassoed her.” Toben was still smiling when he finished.
“Is that when you changed your mind about him?” Dot asked.
Poppy shook her head. “No.”
“That was a couple years later,” Toben added. “I was determined.”
Poppy tore her gaze from his. She remembered it all too well. She’d been fuming. She’d never known a man so manipulative, infuriating and cocky. And yet his smile and laugh had been impossible to ignore altogether.
“Too bad it didn’t work out,” Otis said. “You seem like a nice guy.”
“Mitchell’s a nice guy, too,” Dot said. “And he’s stayed with Aunt Poppy forever.”
“Mitchell’s a good friend to Ma and me,” Rowdy said.
Toben’s spoon clattered against the empty glass bowl, drawing all eyes his way. “Sorry.” He grinned.
But he didn’t look the least bit repentant.
“My stomach hurts,” Otis groaned.
“Sounds like it’s time to head home,” Poppy said, hopping off the stool.
“You wanna come out?” Rowdy asked. “Have coffee on the porch? Ma likes it.”
Poppy sighed, knowing what Toben’s answer would be and hoping Rowdy wouldn’t be too disappointed.
“That’s too good an offer to refuse.” Toben stood, smiling down at her, a sparkle in his eye. “Unless your ma says no.” His brows rose, a silent question.