Lone Star Legacy Read Free Page B

but I’m working on it.”
    He stepped inside, then surveyed the café with an approving gleam in his eye. “Planning to reopen? This town could sure use a place to eat, and you’d do a good business.”
    Startled, she shook her head. After talking to his nephew, she’d expected him to disparage her efforts, then casually offer some ridiculously low figure—something she could not afford to consider.
    “I’m here to fix up the place, so it can go on the market by August. Then we’ll be leaving for Montana.”
    “Montana?” He appeared taken aback. “Now, why would you want to leave a dandy place like this? Friendly town.” He winked. “Nice neighbors.”
    His words surprised her, but before she could form a reply, little footsteps came running across the floor behind her, then Sophie wrapped her arms around Beth’s waist.
    Walt pursed his lips, his eyes twinkling. “You know, I thought I saw a bunny come hopping across the room—but it disappeared.”
    Sophie giggled and peered around Beth’s side.
    “Well, look at this—it’s not a bunny.” Walt rocked back on his heels. “It’s a girl! ”
    Sophie came out a little farther.
    “And a right pretty one, besides.” He smiled down at her, then shifted his attention back to Beth. “I’m sorry I didn’t get over sooner to say howdy. My office manager went off and got married last weekend and left me high and dry, so things are a mite wild over at the clinic.”
    Here it comes. He’ll assume I’m completely naïve, and…
    “First, I want to loan you a cat.”
    She felt her mouth drop open.
    “A cat,” he repeated. “I know how these older houses are, and this place has been empty for quite a while. Figured you could use a good mouser, so I brought you a loaner.” He retrieved a small cage from the front steps. “Unless you have allergies or a strong aversion to cats, Darwin is your man.”
    Darwin?
    Sophie squealed with delight when he put the cage on the floor. “Black-and-white spots! He’s so pretty, Momma!”
    “Yes, indeed,” she said faintly, oddly touched by the unusual favor. “That’s nice of you. But I don’t have litter, or a box, or food…”
    “I’ve got all that next door in the clinic. Figured I wouldn’t haul it over until I knew you wanted help.”
    Beth closed her eyes and thought of all the traps she’d set without catching a single mouse. “We do. Oh, my—do we ever.”
    Walt glanced fondly at the cage. “He’s sort of the clinic mascot. He’s had all of his vaccinations, of course, and he’s declawed and fixed. So don’t let him outside. If you want to give him back, just say the word. I’ll take him back in a minute.”
    “This is so nice of you.”
    “The other thing is that my housekeeper has wanted to welcome your family to town. Maria thought about bringing over a basket, but she—and I—wondered if you might like to get out of here for a little while, and join us for supper on Saturday night.”
    “Well, I—”
    “The house is just on the other side of town—105 San Angelo. There might even be a batch of puppies to play with, if any young ladies are interested.” With that gentle grin and shock of pale silver hair, he reminded her of a kindly Santa Claus who’d managed to lose his belly. “And just so you know I’m not some crazy old coot—you can talk to the sheriff, or you can ask about me down at the bank.”
    “I’m sure I don’t need to worry. But I have so much to do….”
    “Please, can we go?” Sophie tugged on her sleeve. “Puppies! Please? ”
    Feeling as if she’d just been expertly outmaneuvered, Beth laughed. “I guess we’d better.”
    A simple dinner. A nice old man who’d been a friend of her aunt’s. Puppies. It all sounded like a pleasant break from the endless cleaning and growing list of expensive repairs that would need to be hired out—if she could come up with enough money. So why did she have this odd premonition that Walt Sherbourne had something up