The Lone Star Cinderella

There weren’t supposed to be strings now, either. But sometimes, Dave could swear he felt silky threads wrapping themselves around him, and he wasn’t sure how to slip out of the knot that would only get tighter. Mia had been right, he told himself.

Sex had complicated the situation.

But he couldn’t regret it. Hell, he’d have to be crazy to do that.

In fact, the only thing he was regretting was the fact that he had to leave her alone for a few days. Tonight, Dave was riding out with some of the ranch hands to where the herd was being held. The vet had already been out to inoculate the yearling calves and check out the rest of the cattle. He’d already taken care of the new beef that had arrived; now it was time for his regular herd to be checked over. Rather than ride in and out to the ranch, Dave and his employees would be camping out.

So he’d come to Royal to ask Nathan Battle to keep an eye on the ranch while Dave was gone. Not that he was worried about reporters getting to Mia. He was leaving enough of the ranch hands behind to see to her safety. But it never hurt to have a backup plan.

The Royal Diner was, as always, a morning hub of activity. He heard Amanda and Pam laughing at something, and the buzz of conversation from the other customers rose and fell like waves. Sunlight slanted through the windows, and outside an impatient driver hit the car horn.

From the corner of his eye, he saw someone approach, and expecting it to be Nathan, Dave turned his head and smiled a welcome. That smile froze in place when a lovely woman slid into the booth seat opposite him.

“Good morning,” she said, shaking her hair back from her face and holding one hand out to him. “Remember me? I’m Bailey Collins. I work for the state investigator’s office.”

Dave shook her hand and released her. “I remember. We’ve ‘talked’ before.”

He studied her for a second or two. She had shoulder-length dark brown hair with reddish highlights. Her chocolate-colored eyes were locked with his as if daring him to look away. If she was waiting for him to cower, she had a long wait coming.

His good mood drained away as if it had never been. Dave had already talked to cops and private investigators about Alex’s disappearance and nothing had changed. He still knew nothing. Couldn’t help in their search. Didn’t have a clue what had happened to the man and was fast coming to the point where he didn’t care, either. Sure, if Dave had a choice in it, he’d like to see Alex come back safely. But more than that, he’d like to see people leaving him the hell alone.

“What do you want?” he asked, though he already knew the answer to that question.

She gave him a wide smile and shook her head. “Well, aren’t you charming?”

“I didn’t realize charm would make a difference with you.”

“It wouldn’t,” she admitted with a shrug.

“There you go, then.” He wasn’t going to play a game. Pretend to be understanding about all of this when his patience was long since shot to hell. So she could say her piece and get out of his life.

“All right,” she said, “we’re on the same page. I’m here in Royal to do my job, not make friends. I realize we’ve already spoken and that you’re probably tired of answering questions, but I promise you, this will go much easier for both of us if you cooperate.”

“Heard that before,” he muttered.

She gave him a smile. “Look, why don’t you tell me everything you know about Alex Santiago’s disappearance.”

“I’m sure you’ve read all the reports. I’ve told you already what I know and I can tell you now I haven’t remembered anything new,” he said, reaching for patience and just managing to grab hold of the tail end of it. “I’ve discussed it all with Nathan. With the feds. With you.”

“And now,” she said simply, “with me again.”

Amanda walked up to the table, carrying a coffeepot. She looked from Dave to Bailey and back again. “More coffee?”

“Sure, thanks,” Dave said.

“Me, too. Thanks.” Bailey pushed the extra cup toward Amanda.

Once the cups were filled, Amanda gave Dave’s shoulder a pat in solidarity, then moved off again.

“You’ve got friends in town.”

“Guess I do,” he said, nodding. Funny, he’d never really thought about it before, but in the years that he’d been in Royal, he had made some good friends. He was grateful for them. Especially now.

Bailey doctored her perfectly good black coffee with cream and sugar, took a sip and said, “Why don’t you tell me one more time what you know about Alex’s disappearance.”