Fight For Her (More Than A Cowboy 1)

“I don’t know much, but it’s possible.”

Christy must have picked up my vague responses. “So you and Gray?” She waggled her eyebrows as she grinned.

I flushed just like a schoolgirl.

“Yeah,” I said on a sigh. “I… I like him. A lot.” Perhaps more than that. A lot.

She turned to look at me, eyed me carefully. “This isn’t some fling, is it?”

I shook my head and she grinned. “Is he good?”

Oh yeah, he was good.

My cell rang in my bag, saving me from answering. I didn't want to kiss and tell. My heart skipped a beat at the thought that it was Gray, but I quickly squelched it. It was too soon. The drive to Atlantic City was about three hours, depending on traffic, so he was most likely driving, focused on dealing with his dad. He needed to work on that, not me, and I understood. I wanted him to be able to let go of the crap with his dad, to put it all behind him. If going to New Jersey could do that, I'd support him. Wait for him, just as he'd been waiting for me.

I didn’t recognize the number on the display. “Hello?”

“Hello, Emory, this is Angelo Casale.”

I relaxed, thinking of the man who had given me the delicious dinner. “Hi, Mr. Casale. I've been meaning to call and thank you for the meal. It was excellent.”

“I'm pleased.” He didn’t seem interested in lingering on small talk. “I have heard that your home was broken into last night. Are you all right?”

Concern laced his words. I had to wonder how he'd heard about the break in. It wasn't newsworthy.

“Yes, thank you for checking. It was scary, but it’s over.” I wasn't going to go into details with him either.

Christy eyed me as she continued to do her nails.

“I would like to invite you and your friend, Mr. Green, for dinner at Casale’s tonight. I have some things I would like to talk with you about, but not over the phone.”

“Oh.” I paused. “That’s very kind of you. Gray is in Atlantic City today visiting his father, but should be back by dinner.”

&nb

sp; “You are alone?” He sounded concerned. “I will have Frank come and stay with you, wherever you are.”

I frowned. Why would he want Frank to stay with me? Were all the new men I met overly protective or had the ones in my past just been slackers? “I am with my friends. I promise I am well supervised.”

I heard his laugh through the phone. “You can’t trick a mother,” he said. “I am glad you are with others, for it is not safe for you right now on your own. Have your friends join you for dinner as well.”

Christy glanced my way as she screwed the top back on the nail polish bottle. I pasted a fake smile in the hopes to hide that I was worried by Mr. Casale’s words. What did he know that I didn’t? He obviously thought I was still in danger if he would send Frank to watch over me.

“You’re sure it’s all right to come?” I didn’t mean about eating, but about showing up at the restaurant and remaining safe, not that Christy would know that.

“Yes, my restaurant, I assure you, is quite safe. You, as well, if you are with Mr. Green or your friends. As I said before, you took care of Marco, so I will take care of you.”

“Then there will be four of us. What time?”

“Good. Seven then,” he replied, then hung up.

I tossed my phone back in the bag.

“What are we doing tonight?” Christy asked.

“We’re going to dinner at Casale’s.”

“Casale’s? I’ve always wanted to eat there.” She pulled the cotton balls from her toes. “That’s right, you said you met the owner.”