“Now that’s right nice of her,” Jasper said. “ ’Specially for a Prescott. But I’m not holdin’ my breath till you two make us all rich.”
“It’s not the treasure that matters, Erin,” Tori said. “The important thing is that you and Lauren have a fun adventure. I hope you thanked her for inviting you.”
“I did.” Erin helped herself to another sandwich. “Sky was going to come, too, but he’s got work, so it’ll be just us girls. Why don’t you come with us, Mom? I know it would be fine with Lauren.”
“I’m afraid it’ll be a workday for me, too,” Tori said. “Go and have a wonderful time.”
Disappointment shadowed Erin’s
face. Then she brightened. “The Vegas rodeo finals are on TV tonight. You could stay and watch with Dad and me.”
Guilt was like a cold stab between Tori’s ribs. “Sorry, sweetheart, but I’ve got work in town this afternoon. And tonight I’ve got plans.”
Tori’s gaze shifted toward Will. He didn’t speak, but his expression had darkened. No doubt he’d guessed what those plans were. Tori could imagine what he was thinking. Here he was, facing a life-changing ordeal, and she was running off to go on a date with another man.
Tori looked away, refusing to acknowledge his silent message. As Will’s lawyer, she would give her all to win his case and save him. But she wasn’t his wife anymore—and the fact that she’d slept with him in a weak moment didn’t give him ownership. If she let him, Will would drown her with his need to be in control. That had happened in the past, but it wasn’t going to happen again. She had a private life, and tonight she needed a break.
“Say, Will.” Beau came to her rescue. “I could use your advice on where to move the cattle next. Maybe this afternoon we could saddle up and ride out to check the grass in the empty pastures.”
“Sounds fine to me,” Will said.
“Can I come, too?” Erin asked.
Will gave her a fatherly frown. “Is your schoolwork done?”
“I finished it before you got here.”
“Okay, you can ride along on old Belle. And tonight we can make popcorn and watch the rodeo finals, just you and me, unless Jasper wants to join us.” The look he gave Tori said it all. They were still a family; and at a time like this, it was wrong for her to be away.
But Tori wasn’t about to let Will push her guilt buttons. She was going out with Drew tonight and, by damn, she was going to have a good time.
CHAPTER 9
Tori and Drew lingered over their dessert wine, enjoying the panorama of the city, the glow of candles, and the tinkle of piano blues from the adjoining bar. The steak and lobster had been well-prepared, the atmosphere romantic, the conversation easy.
Tori gazed at the man across the table, grateful that, without being asked, he’d avoided all mention of the upcoming trial. He was, at all times, tactful, soft-spoken, and kind. And he was handsome enough to break hearts in his tweed blazer, dark shirt, and tie—not a bolo, but a real silk tie. With the candlelight sharpening the planes of his face, he could have stepped out of a PBS Edwardian drama.
She found herself imagining Will in this upscale dinner club—his big, rugged presence overpowering the intimate space, his restless nature demanding that they finish the meal and get back to the ranch to check on the cattle. He’d be more at home at a barbecue, where he could fill his plate and grab a beer, eat at his own pace, socialize or not, and leave when he was good and ready, with no apologies.
But why was she thinking about Will tonight?
“A penny for your thoughts.” Drew’s hand slid across the table to capture hers.
“I was thinking how much I needed this break tonight.” It wasn’t quite true, but close enough. “Thank you, Drew.”
“My pleasure. I know how much you must have on your mind.”
That’s the right thing to say, at the right time, she thought. “What I’ve got on my mind right now is you,” she said.
“I hope you mean that.” His hand tightened on hers, smooth palm, no calluses; but then, he was an educator, not a rancher. “I know I agreed to keep things platonic till the trial’s over. But if I’m going to wait, I need to know what I’m waiting for.” He cleared his throat. “Not to get too personal, but for a woman who’s been divorced eight years, you’re pretty involved with your ex.”
“It’s because of Erin. She loves her father and she loves the ranch. My staying involved gives her a sense of family.”
“So what if things were to come together for us, and I was in the picture full-time? Would that mean a sort of ménage à trois, with you running back and forth between two men?”
It wasn’t so much his question that surprised Tori as his timing. “Certainly not! Things would have to change. Erin’s growing up. She could handle a different arrangement.”
“But could Will? Why hasn’t he remarried? Is he still in love with you?”