How to Seduce a Texan

over himself to be sweet to her.” She frowned. “Come to think of it, Sandy was the one acting like a dog in heat- excuse my phrasing.”

“Order up,” the cook announced.

“That’s your food.” The waitress hurried over to get it.

“Since I’m the only customer that’s obvious,” she muttered God, I’m such a bitch when I’m starving.

Jenny brought Nikki’s food over and set it in front of her. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

“No, I’m fine.”

She managed to get a little more information. Jenny seemed to think Cal might have been the one to end the relationship since he didn’t seem to be in pain over the breakup. Interesting. Maybe she’d have another chance to question her.

But first, food.

As Jenny walked back to the counter, Nikki took a huge bite of the burger, closing her eyes as her taste buds went into overdrive. Better than sex.

Well, maybe not sex with Cal, but a hell of a lot better than the last couple of men she’d had sex with. The cheeseburger was absolute heaven. She closed her eyes again as she savored another bite of grilled-to-perfection hamburger.

Catsup. She had to have catsup. She grabbed the bottle that was on the table and dumped at least half a cup on her plate, then dragged a French fry through it.

Oh, yeah, heaven.

Ha! The Barracuda was back. She’d be damned if she’d starve or live the next week or so on PB &J. What Cal didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him.

She didn’t think about anything else. In fact, she didn’t do anything except savor each bite of food until she swallowed the last morsel of burger, ate the last French fry, then sucked down the last drop of her soda.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone inhale one of Jim’s burgers that fast.” Jenny laughed.

“It was fantastic,” Nikki said. “I’m stuffed.”

“Sure you won’t try some peach cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream? Jim’s wife made it herself and there’s none better.”

Maybe she wasn’t that stuffed.

She finished half an hour later, then paid out. Jenny had been right: the cobbler was the best she’d ever eaten. The young waitress hadn’t given her any more information that she could use, but she pointed her in the direction of the dry-goods store and the grocery store.

Ye-haw, she thought as she walked inside. She admitted the smell of leather was kind of nice, but she wasn’t into spurs that jangled or purses with tiny saddles on top of them. She did buy four pair of jeans, a pair of boots, and a week’s worth of tops, though. She didn’t plan on needing to stay any longer and hoped it wouldn’t take her that long.

A trip to the hardware store yielded solar lights, along with a few more items she thought she might need.

The grocery store was her diamond in the rough, though, as she grabbed ham and cheese, bagels and cream cheese, and chocolate. Gourmet food it wasn’t, but it was better than nothing.

Coffee was another story. She might have to break down and light the black beast after all. Then again, she wasn’t that addicted to caffeine. Sodas might be able to give her the fix she craved.

She grabbed a few toiletries that she hadn’t thought she would need, but did, an armload of air fresheners in all shapes, sizes, and forms, and then paid out. She’d stash her goods and Cal would never know she’d cheated. A satisfactory smile curved her lips. She was just too damned good.

And she made sure she kept every receipt. Marge was going to owe her for this one. She figured at least two weeks off. Her parents would probably tell her that was too long, but dammit, she deserved it. And she didn’t care what Marge thought, either.

Her cell rang as she shut the trunk. She brought it out of her purse and flipped it open.

“Hi, Mom.” Why was her mother calling her? Her mother never called. What if her father was ill? Or worse. “Is everything all right?”

“Finally-I’ve tried to call you several times, but it wouldn’t go through. And yes, everything is fine now that I know you’re okay. Where are you?”

Her mother was worried about her? Strange, but it felt nice to know she cared so much. And she had sounded generally upset. Actually, that scared Nikki even more.

“Is everything okay?” her mother asked.

“Yes, I’m doing great. I’m on assignment in the boonies. There’s limited service here.”

“Another politician?”

She cringed. “Not exactly. A football player.”

“Steroids?”

“No.” She knew her mother wouldn’t leave off until she knew the whole story, so she quickly told her the details.

“Your editor sent you to do a piece about the love life of a socialite and a football player? What could she have been thinking? Your talents are going to waste.”

“It’s a nice change.”

“And you’re staying in a nice hotel.”

She cringed. “Not exactly. More like a cabin on a dude ranch. It’s…rustic.”

“I know you better than that, dear. If the living conditions are primitive, then you must feel as though you’re in hell.”

She thought about making love with Cal and knew she wouldn’t exactly say everything was hell. But she didn’t want to tell her mother that.

“I’m tough, so I think I’ll survive.”

“That you are, dear.”

“Why did you call?” Her mother never had said.

“Our second Saturday meeting is this month but I’m afraid we’ll have to cancel and I wanted to give you plenty of notice.”

They never canceled. Again, fear coursed through her. “Why?”

“I have exciting news. We’re thinking about moving to Washington. The Stanleys have been after us for years to move up there. Jack already has an established practice and he wants us to come in as partners.”

“You’re moving?” All of a sudden, Nikki felt as if she was being abandoned.

“You have a fabulous career, dear, and you don’t need us so much anymore. We’ll still meet once every couple of months except you’ll fly out. It’ll be exciting. You’ll see.”

Her mother was right. Nikki drew in a deep breath. She was a big girl and could take care of herself. And it was probably a fantastic opportunity for her parents.

“If you and Daddy are excited, then so am I. I hope everything works out the way you both want.”

“I knew you would understand, dear.”

“Of course I do. You raised me right.” But it didn’t stop the sadness from flowing through her. Sometimes she wondered if a career was worth the toll it took on one’s personal life.

They rescheduled their dinner date and said their good-byes.

Nikki got into her car and started it, but she couldn’t shake the lonely feeling.

Chapter 11

Nikki knew she could do this. How hard could it be? She’d mapped out her strategic plan and was ready for any unforeseen complications that might arise. All she had to do was talk herself into doing it.

This was utterly ridiculous. She’d never lacked courage. She was the one who was always first to take a