“Or maybe it’s as simple as a girlfriend,” Noodle, Dinky’s partner, said.
“I like Dinky’s idea. I have twenty on international criminal,” Miss Daisy said as she pulled out her ever- present notebook and marked the newest bet.
“I’ll put ten on her being a spy from another country that he’s turned,” Pam said.
“Oh, that’s a good one,” Miss Daisy murmured as she took the bet.
Cy pulled the truck to a stop a block away from the cafe. The street was lined with cars. It was lunchtime, and since this was the only place to eat in the town, he knew it was going to be packed. “It’s right down there,” he told Gemma, pointing to the umbrellas providing shade to the bistro tables on the sidewalk.
“It’s a cute town. This is nothing like L.A.,” Gemma said as she took in the old facades of Main Street painted in the historic colors of tan, white, dark red, and grayish-blue. Flowers were blooming in the baskets hanging from the old-style lampposts where American flags fluttered in the warm breeze.
“It is. I remember being a teenager and thinking it was horrible. Everyone knew all my business. I couldn’t get into too much trouble because someone would tell my mom. And then, of course, everyone had an opinion about who I was dating, what sports I should be playing, or what I should do with my life.
“I left and never thought I’d want to come back. Funny thing happened. About one year after leaving, I started missing the place. By three years out, I missed the place so much I started buying up property just to keep my connection to the town. I knew then my goal was to work hard enough to make it back here,” Cy told her as he pushed open the door to the cafe. He had never told anyone so much about this town. It was part of his secret life he hadn’t been able to talk to anyone about and it felt good to tell her about his life, goals, and desires.
Cy walked into the cafe and stood grinning like a fool. The place had gone silent in a heartbeat. Everyone turned and stared at them with guilty looks all over their faces. Strange how he had actually grown to miss this.
“Were you all talking about us?” He laughed.
“Cy, welcome home, sweetheart.” Miss Lily wrapped him up in a tight hug as her sisters hurried over. He gave each Rose sister a kiss on the cheek and shook hands with everyone else from the town. His good friend, Coach Parks, gave him a tight hug as everyone peppered Cy with questions.
Gemma stood slightly behind Cy and watched the scene unfold around her. They had already known he was back in town and needed help. They had already known she was there and, one after another, shook her hand, gave Fred a pat, and introduced themselves to her.
“Cy,” she whispered, getting his attention, “how did these people know we were here?”
“I told you they had an information system better than the government’s,” Cy said with a grin. “Miss Lily, we need a place to stay. Mom’s turned my room into a baby’s room and Paige rented her apartment out to Bridget.”
“Oh, I know, dear. Are you adding to that?” she asked with a quick look to Gemma’s belly. Gemma blushed and then for a second time got self-conscious. Why was everyone thinking she was pregnant? Did she look fat or something?
“Nope, sorry,” Cy said easily.
“Dang,” Miss Lily said under her breath. “Why don’t you introduce us to your friend?”
“As many of you have met her already, I’ll keep it short. This is Gemma Perry. The same people behind Pierce and Tammy’s attempted murder and the dog-fighting ring murdered her sister. We need to keep her safe until we can capture them.” Cy paused as he saw the people nod their heads and whisper to each other. 'Unfortunately, they’re after me, too, because of my time in the CIA.”
“So, is she a witness you’re trying to protect?” Trey asked from his seat next to his friends.
“Yes, exactly like that,” Cy nodded. Gemma looked around in confusion as the cafe groaned and Trey pumped his fist into the air. “So, Miss Lily, do you have room for us at the bed-and-breakfast?”
“How many rooms?”
“One” Cy said at the same time Gemma said, “Two.”
Gemma jumped back as the broom was raised and smashed onto Cy’s head. “You rascal. There is no hanky-panky going on at my place. Now, if you promise to behave yourself, I’ll show you to your rooms.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Cy sounded humbled, but Gemma worried that the spark in his eye said he took it more as a challenge. She flushed with excitement or fear; she couldn’t tell which one she was more worried about.
Cy thanked Miss Lily as he put his bags down in his room across the hall from Gemma’s. A large sitting room stood between her door and his, but Cy wasn’t concerned. It couldn’t be that hard getting past Miss Lily. After all, Kenna and Will are now married and so are Dani and Mo. The ladies both stayed at Miss Lily’s bed-and-breakfast when they first arrived.
Cy started to unpack when his phone rang. “Hey, Miles. What’s up?”
“Come on out to my farm. The brothers are getting together for a ride around the property and we thought you’d want to see yours. Also, it’ll give us a chance to talk without Ma listening.”
“Sounds good. See you in twenty.” Cy hung up and dug out his cowboy boots from the bottom of his bag. His worn brown cowboy hat was in the back of his truck. Amazing how giving him those two things and a horse made him truly feel back at home.
Cy slipped on his boots and headed across the sitting room to knock on Gemma’s door. He waited as he heard her stumble in her room and curse under her breath.
The door was wrenched open and Gemma stood in nothing but a towel, her hair hanging in waves around her shoulders and her green eyes flashing with annoyance. “Yes?”
Cy was momentarily stunned by the sight of the swell of her breasts and shapely legs under the fluffy white towel. “Brothers.”
“What?”
Cy cleared his throat and tried again. “My brothers are getting ready to ride the property lines. They want to show me what they’ve done to my farm. I’m going to head out there. There’s going to be a deputy outside if you need anything. His name is Noodle. Are you okay with me heading out for a bit?”
Gemma took a deep breath and smiled. “Thanks for letting me know. I have a date with that amazing claw- footed tub and then I thought I'd open Gia’s box she left with the notebooks. Have a good time.”
“Here.” Cy handed a piece of paper to her and was rewarded when the towel slipped a little. “It’s my number. Call me if you need anything at all. I’ll be back by dinner.”
CHAPTER NINE
Cy leaned forward in the saddle and rubbed his horse’s sweaty neck as he looked at the massive fields. All of this was his and he was proud of it. His brothers raced to a stop next to him and stared him down.
“Do you always have to race?” Marshall asked. “Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve run a horse that fast?”
“Sorry, old man. I’ll make sure we go at a nice canter on the way home for you. Married with a kid on the way and look what happens to you. And you all wonder why I’m still single,” Cy teased.
“Ha-ha. You’ll see. Don’t knock it until you try it. I held out longer than any of you and now I’m kicking myself for waiting so long,” Miles told them as he gazed out over the rolling fields dotted with cattle.
“If you got married sooner, you would've ended up with a Belle,” Cade said with a mock shudder. “It’s just a good thing Morgan came back to town to save you from the summer picnics and charity galas.”
“True. And now I’m going to be a father. I still have trouble believing it,” Miles said in a wistful way that left Cy feeling slightly jealous.
“I guess I’m the last one standing. You all will have kids and I’ll be the strange bachelor uncle wanting their dads to come play poker,” Cy laughed as he teased his brothers.
“Yeah, right. You just moved into the number-one marriage spot on the list. I'm sure Marianne will have a write-up in the paper this week. You’ll be off the market in no time,” Pierce predicted.
“I’m not going to feel too sorry for you when all the single women of Keeneston descend upon you either. Not when you’re getting text messages from naked supermodels and America’s Sweetheart. I still can’t believe you were in that movie with her,” Cade said as he took off his cowboy hat and wiped his brow.
