Texas Tall (The Tylers of Texas 3)

Seeing him again would be good for her, she’d told herself. Drew was easy to be with. He always knew how to make her smile. But anxiety gnawed at her as she drove to Blanco’s only restaurant. Drew wouldn’t have come home early on a whim. Something had to be weighing on his mind.

Drew had offered to pick her up at home, but she’d told him she had errands to run after lunch, which was true. It was also true that if they were alone in his car or her house, and he wanted to push her to a decision, things could get emotional. Meeting in public would be a safeguard against regrettable words and actions.

His car was parked outside the Burger Shack when she pulled up. He’d be waiting for her inside, maybe expecting some answers about their relationship. But she had none to give him. The past few days had left her more distracted and confused than ever.

The Burger Shack was crowded today, the booths and tables full. Behind the counter a cook was piling up a tower of takeout pizza boxes. Somebody must’ve ordered for an army, Tori thought.

Drew stood next to the booth he was saving. He gave Tori a smile as she walked through the door. He looked like a photo from GQ, in a gray sweater, khaki slacks, and a dark brown lambskin jacket. Tori, still in the frayed jeans and plaid shirt she’d worn on the ranch, with her hair raked back in a careless ponytail, looked more like a panhandler he’d invited in off the street.

Always the gentleman, he helped her with her coat before they sat down, facing each other across the red-checked vinyl tablecloth.

“How was your holiday?” she asked.

“Not bad. Eating dinner with my sister, her husband, and three rambunctious kids was better than eating alone. How was yours?”

He woul

dn’t know about the fire, of course. Tori shook her head. “Awful. It’s a long story. Let’s order, and I’ll tell you.”

The waitress had reached their booth. Tori scanned the menu, deciding on a tuna melt and coffee. Drew ordered a burger, fries, and a Coke.

“So tell me,” he said. “Was your Thanksgiving really that bad?”

She told him, then, about the fire, the horses that had to be rescued, the injuries to Sky, and the dead man they’d found after the fire was out. Drew listened, his expression sympathetic.

“Good Lord, you weren’t kidding, were you? It must’ve been terrible, being there and going through that. I’m so sorry.”

His hand slid across the tabletop to rest on hers. That was when the restaurant door opened and Will strode in.

He was headed for the counter—and the pizzas he’d evidently ordered for his work crew—when, out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed the pair holding hands in the booth.

Tori saw him hesitate, as if resolving to ignore them and leave. But knowing Will, she had a feeling that wouldn’t happen. Instinctively, she tried to pull her hand free. Drew tightened his clasp in a gesture of possession, pinning her palm firmly against the tabletop.

The two men had never met, but there was little doubt they recognized each other. Will would know Drew because he was with Tori. And Drew, sensing Tori’s sudden reaction, would guess that he was looking at her ex-husband.

Jaw set, Will turned and walked toward them, taking his time, like a bull elk sizing up a rival. He was dusty, unshaven, and windburned, his eyes still reddened from smoke as he loomed over the table. “Will Tyler.” His voice was a hoarse growl. “Pardon me if I don’t shake hands. I’ve been shoveling ashes most of the morning.”

Drew had risen. He was almost as tall as Will, but a few years younger and probably twenty pounds lighter. In a physical fight his only chance would be to run. “Drew Middleton,” he introduced himself. “Tori was just telling me that your barn burned. I’m sorry. Nobody deserves that kind of bad luck.”

“Something tells me it was more than bad luck,” Will said. “But even knowing for sure won’t bring the barn back. Sorry I can’t stay and visit. I’ve got a hungry crew to feed—even got the bunkhouse cook working the line.” He turned away, then glanced back. “You two enjoy your lunch.”

“You’re welcome to join us,” Drew said needlessly.

“Another time, maybe.” Will walked to the counter, paid with his credit card, and carried the stack of pizza boxes out the door.

Drew had taken his seat again. He took a sip of the Coke the waitress had left on the table. “So that’s your ex-husband,” he said. “He’s pretty, uh . . . formidable.”

“Will can be overbearing.” Tori stirred creamer into her coffee. “But he’s a good man and a good father. Erin adores him. If I don’t win this case, I don’t know what she’ll do.”

“And what will you do, Tori?” He captured her hand again. “Something tells me there’s more at stake here than Erin’s feelings.”

“Of course there is. The charges against Will are ridiculous, but for some reason the prosecution is out to get him. I can’t let an innocent man go to prison, especially knowing what being there would do to him, and to his family.”

“And to you?” His fingers tightened around hers. “Are you still in love with him, Tori?”

Her heart gave a thud, like a rock hitting the bottom of a well. “Of course not. We’ve stayed friends for Erin’s sake. But when we were married, we drove each other crazy. Most of the time I can barely tolerate the man.”

He released her hand as the waitress brought their meals and set them on the table, but his light hazel eyes continued to hold hers. “I’m not a fool,” he said. “You’re the woman of my dreams, and I want you for keeps. But when you’re in my arms, I need to know it’s me you’re thinking about, not another man. I understand that you have to put this trial behind you. But once it’s done, whatever the outcome, I’ll need you to give me an answer.”