Texas Tall (The Tylers of Texas 3)

“I understand.” Tori poked at the sandwich on her plate, her appetite gone. “You’ve been an angel of patience, Drew. I promise I won’t keep you waiting much longer.”

“I’m holding you to that. If you say yes to me, I expect it to be a hundred percent. No hanging on to the past, agreed?”

“Of course. That would be the only way.” And it would, Tori thought, but maybe it is time. For the past eight years, she’d been living in limbo, caught between her work in town and the ranch, never moving beyond that half-life with Will that was more than friendship, yet no longer a marriage.

Now she’d been given a chance to change all that. Drew was a good man—intelligent, sensitive, kind, and patient. She was physically attracted to him—not in love yet, but she could be, once the baggage with Will dropped away. She could almost imagine saying yes to him.

But what about Erin?

Drew picked up a French fry, swirled it in the ketchup on his plate, and put it down again. It appeared he had no more appetite than Tori did.

“What is it?” she asked. “Is there something you haven’t told me?”

“You’re very perceptive,” he said. “As a matter of fact, there is. It’s the reason I came back here early—to talk it over with you.”

“Tell me,” she said.

“I’ve been offered a new job—assistant principal at a big school in a wealthy district that can afford to pay teachers what they’re worth. I’d be making twice what I make here, to say nothing of the chance to move up the ladder. The job would start spring semester.”

“So, have you said yes?” Tori spoke calmly, but her head was already spinning with the implications of what she’d just heard.

“I promised them an answer within two weeks,” he said. “If I take the job, my assistant could handle things here till they found a replacement. It’s short notice, but given what the job could do for my career track, I can’t imagine turning it down.”

“And where is this educator’s paradise?” Tori struggled to ignore the flip-flopping sensation in her stomach.

“Seattle—a great area close to the university. You could find plenty of legal work, or even go back to school if you wanted. You could—” He broke off with a nervous laugh. “Why are you staring at me like that? Don’t you know I’m asking you to come with me? With a ring on your finger or without—your choice. This isn’t really a proposal, unless. . .” He reached over and captured her hand again. “Unless you want it to be.” He paused, an uncertain look creeping over his handsome features. “So what do you think?”

Tori found her voice. “I’m just wondering about Erin.”

“She’d love it,” he said. “Beautiful, green city, lots of culture, friends, and things to do. You could put her in a good private school, take her on trips, give her a chance to learn about the world beyond Blanco Springs . . .” He shook his head. “Sorry. I know I’m rushing you. I know you need to focus on the trial. Just promise me you’ll keep it in mind. That’s all I ask.”

Tori willed herself to breathe. “I will. Don’t expect much from me until the trial’s over. But when it’s done, you’ll have my decision.”

“I understand, and I won’t push you.” He released her hand and glanced down at her tuna melt. “Your food’s gone cold. Let me order you something else.”

“Thanks, but I’m a bit emotional right now.” She rose and reached for her coat. “I hope you’ll give me a rain check when things calm down.”

“Sure. But you’ll think about what I said, won’t you?” He got up to walk her to her wagon.

“Of course.” How could she not think about it?

She was still thinking about it as she drove back to the ranch. Drew’s proposal—or whatever it had been—had caught her like a flash flood in a narrow draw, leaving her shaken and confused.

She should have turned him down on the spot and saved both of them the pain of uncertainty. So why hadn’t she? Maybe there was a reason. Maybe leaving Blanco Springs and going to Seattle with Drew could turn out to be the best decision she’d ever made—for herself, as well as for Erin, who’d never experienced the world outside rural Texas. Or it could turn out to be a disaster for all concerned. Either way, she couldn’t make an intelligent choice until after the trial.

As she pulled up to the house, she could see the work crew clearing away the ruins of the barn. Will was with them, looming over the others as he paused to shout directions or stooped to help drag a heavy timber free of the rubble. He would work until he dropped from exhaustion and never say a word about what was bothering him. That was Will’s way when he was worried, especially if he happened to be unhappy with her.

Seeing her with Drew hadn’t sat well with him, she knew. Oh, he’d hidden it, but Tori knew the signs. He’d been too polite, too congenial, too cool. And while he was talking to Drew, he’d scarcely given her a glance.

She’d planned to stay in town overnight, for some needed quiet time. But that had been before Drew called and before Will had shown up at the Burger Shack. Now, although it shouldn’t be allowed to matter, she’d felt compelled to come back to the ranch. She needed to let Will know she was here.

Beau’s Jeep was gone, and Erin was nowhere in sight. Inside the house Tori found a note on her daughter’s closed bedroom door.

In case anybody wonders, I went to the hospital with Beau and Natalie. Natalie had a doctor’s appointment. Beau wanted to visit Sky. I did, too, so they let me tag along. See you later.

The house was quiet. Bernice was probably napping, and Tori had seen Jasper on the Kubota yard tractor, hovering around the workers who were clearing the barn. Even if he couldn’t work, the old cowboy would want to be part of the action, and maybe do some supervising.

Savoring the silence, Tori sank into the cushions of the well-worn leather sofa. The stress of the past few weeks was getting to her. She’d forgotten the last time she’d had a decent night’s sleep. It felt good just to sit here in the familiar stillness and close her eyes for a m