(Calahan Cowboys 08) The Cowboy Soldier's Sons by Tina Leonard Read Free Book Online Page A

question without answering it. A tall, thin waitress with gray hair and penciled eyebrows came over to take their orders, and when she’d left, Shaman looked at Tempest with a grin. “So which charity is your favorite?”
    “You might notice that the library has had a major face-lift,” she said, her tone airy. “The structure was sound, but the outside needed work and the inside needed cosmetic renovation. Also, the book selections required serious updating. I think the money must have been appreciated, because your niece spent her summer devouring several shelves of books, and still likes coming here for reading material. Her nana Moira—Chelsea’s mother—apparently spent the summer dragging Cat to the library, helping her find her footing among the classics. I deem the project a success, if Cat and Moira think that highly of it.”
    Shaman whistled. “You’re amazing.”
    “Not really. It wasn’t my money, and I didn’t need it. The town of Tempest did. I figure no good civilization grows without excellent resources.”
    He dragged a chip through the salsa. “I guess Bobby would have a fit if he knew.”
    She shrugged. “That’s his personal problem. Anyway, the way the story went, at least the way I heard it from Shinny and Blanche, is that Bud Taylor couldn’t stand his kids. Said they were like vultures waiting for him to die, and he didn’t understand why they couldn’t just go out and make successes of themselves as he had. He didn’t believe in leaving them money.”
    Shaman sighed with appreciation as their orders were placed in front of them. “It’s probably true. Everyone should make their own mark in life. Waiting for a handout is a sign of weakness.”
    “I knew you’d understand,” Tempest said. “I admire you for being a self-made man.”
    He wasn’t certain how admirable he really was. “So I take it no one knows your deep, dark secret.”
    “Not a soul. Well, Bud’s lawyer does. But no one else, not even Shinny and Blanche.” She dug into the fajitas she’d ordered. “There was no point in telling anyone. Bud wouldn’t have wanted anything named after him. I didn’t know him very well, but I figure he wasn’t that kind of man. And anyway, I don’t necessarily believe the rumors are true about him being my dad. I had a father.” She stopped, looking faraway for a moment. “I didn’t really know him, either. Mom didn’t talk about him much.”
    The salad was delicious, as were the quesadillas, but Shaman suddenly had another topic on his mind. “So, I heard Cat was hinting around about me marrying you.”
    Tempest blinked and put her fajita down. “She didn’t say anything like that to me.”
    “Oh, boy.” Shaman shook his head, realizing his niece had pulled yet another fast one on him. “That little devil.”
    “Why?” Tempest gazed at him. “Did she tell you she’d talked to me about getting married?”
    He nodded, suddenly wishing he’d kept his yap shut. “Cat strikes again.”
    Tempest laughed and patted his hand, then took a bite of her fajita, unbothered. “I’m leaving tomorrow for New York,” she said, stunning him. “Cat’s a great girl and I love her, but she isn’t the wily meddler she fancies herself to be.”
    Shaman put his fork down, studying the beautiful blonde across from him. “Were you going to tell me?”
    “I...” She looked at him. “I think so.”
    He closed his eyes for a moment. “Cupertino. You make me crazy.”
    Her big eyes were round in her face. “I’m not your kind of girl.”
    He felt as if his fork was lodged in his throat. “No. You’re really not.”
    “You see?” Relief crossed her face. “I was planning to call from New York.”
    He knew she wouldn’t have. “Okay,” he said, determined not to make her feel awkward. She had a different life, one that would never include Tempest, New Mexico. “Eat up, since it’s your last hometown meal.”
    He ate as if his stomach wasn’t in knots, just to