Devil in Texas (Rugged and Risque 1)

“I beg to differ. It’s been twelve years since anyone has stirred up a hornet’s nest in this town. I think it’s high time we do just that. Get people thinking about what’s really going on here. See what’s happened to our town.”

“Nothing has happened to our town!”

“Lydia.” It took as much willpower not to grab her by the shoulders and shake some sense into her. “I’m going to be out of business soon. So you can damn well better believe I’ve got a stand to take.”

It seemed the air was sapped instantly from her sails. “I didn’t realize it was that bad for you.”

“How could it not be?” he demanded, his temper getting the best of him. “With Friday and Saturday night curfews and having to close on Sundays? How long do you think my saloon can stay afloat when I can’t sell any alcohol?”

Her lips pressed together as she seemed to consider her own stand. Then she said, “It’s just that…. Well, Jonathan… He’s just been so upset over all of this. The Council elections, this newcomer to town. He’s been ill, Jack. Sick to his stomach. He doesn’t think anything good is going to come of what’s going on right now.”

Jack gripped the edge of the sink behind the bar as he glared at Lydia. They’d been friends since he’d had a memory. He’d been the shoulder she’d cried on when things had gotten too intense at her house. He’d been the one she’d confided in when she’d gotten pregnant. He’d been the one to offer her sanctuary, even offering to help raise her illegitimate child.

And this was the friendship she offered in return?

Shaking his head, he said, “I really miss the person you used to be, Lydia.”

She stared at him, dumbfounded.

Jack continued on. “The non-judgmental, free-spirit. The one who had big plans and high hopes. The one who said she’d break free of her parents and never treat anyone so poorly, because she knew how bad it felt.”

“Jack Wade!” The look she gave him was positively indignant. She stood and reached for her purse. “I don’t treat anyone poorly! I would never do that!”

“What about Liza?” he countered.

“I… She…” Lydia shook her head. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I haven’t said anything cruel to that woman.”

“You completely dismissed her on the street, Lydia. And there has to be some reason why she’s doing her own highlights. I mean, have you seen what she did to her hair?”

Lydia crossed her arms over her chest. “I thought she did that on purpose. Some sort of New York thing.”

Jack laughed, though without humor. “She didn’t think you’d allow her in one of your chairs, Lydia.”

“Well, I would never!” She bristled. “I wouldn’t shun someone from my salon. Jack Wade, you know me better than that.”

He inclined his head to one side, taking in the buttoned-up, prim and proper woman before him with the tight lips and the stiff shoulders. “I used to know you, Lydia. But now…” He shook his head. “I’m not so sure.”

“Jack.” Her look softened. She opened her mouth to speak, but the door to the saloon swung wide open and Liza swept in.

“I have the perfect idea for how you can stay open on Sundays and increase business! It came to me this morning when—” She pulled up short, her mouth clamping shut. Her bright green gaze shifted from Jack to Lydia and back. “Oh,” she said. “Looks like I’ve interrupted something. I’ll come back later.”

She turned on her high heels, but Jack was quick on his feet. He vaulted over the bar and rushed after her.

“Hey, wait!” He gripped her by the arm and brought her back around to face him. “No need to leave, darlin’.”

Her gaze didn’t land on him. It shot straight to Lydia. “Think I’ve had enough of this.”

“What are you talking about?”

Her eyes snapped to him. “What were you talking about?”

Jack’s jaw tightened for a moment. He said, “We were just discussing…things…” He shook his head. He couldn’t lie to her. “Politics and you, darlin’. That’s what we were talking about

.”

She wrested her arm free from his loose grip. She stared up at him, the betrayal painfully blatant in her eyes. “I told myself I was starting fresh. Not letting anyone tell me who I should be or how I should act. And yet, all I’ve done since I got here is try to win people over who don’t like how I dress or what I have to say.” She shook her head, looking hurt and disappointed. Not just with him, but with herself.

“Liza, just take a step back with me, sweetheart.” He needed to get a grip on the situation before it got too far out of hand. Because something told him she was this close to walking away for good.