Suddenly Texan Read Free Page A

friends, not lovers. They were so much like family that he couldn’t get past that “kissing cousins” idea to pursue a relationship.
    He’d gone to college, left college, been a professional gambler, left that career way before he’d wanted to and now owned his own business. He was only thirty-two, but he’d had a full and definitely unconventional life.
    Leo went across the interior hallway and looked at the new arrivals in the bookstore window. He enjoyed a good thriller, especially those set in exotic places. Nothing looked promising this week. He walked a little farther up the hall, put his quarters in the newspaper rack and got the Fort Worth Star Telegram . He glanced at the headlines, then sauntered outside—since Amanda hadn’t shown up yet—and breathed in the crisp, cool air. If she didn’t come into the store this morning, he’d have to find an excuse to go look for her.
    â€œHey, Leo.”
    The sound of Cal Crawford’s voice jarred Leo out of his musing. “Hey, Cal. What are you doing in town this morning?” The rancher was dressed in a denim jacket and hat, his leather gloves tucked into his pocket. He stopped next to Leo on the steps, holding two large steaming cups.
    â€œWe’re heading to Fort Worth for the day to do a little shopping. According to Christie, there are some things that just can’t be purchased online or through a catalog. You know how she’s got a thing for quality.”
    â€œYou’ve got that right.” Cal’s wife, Christie, worked with Leo and his sister, Toni. They’d done the hotel renovation last year and this year they were converting several empty storefronts in nearby Graham into office suites. Christie could be exacting and particular, but she did know quality. And Toni had the expertise from her renovation company.
    Leo wasn’t sure what he brought into the partnership other than comic relief and a clean reputation. People knew they could trust him to give them an honest deal. Plus, he usually made the two seriously professional women laugh. He could always balance the company checkbook. And he found good bargains on materials.
    â€œWhere are Christie and the kids?”
    â€œThere,” Cal said, nodding at his truck. “We planned to get some coffee for the road, but just as we pulled in, Callie spit up all over her Onesie. Christie is changing her while I get the coffee. Lucky me.”
    â€œHer one—what?”
    â€œThe one piece jumpsuit thing that babies wear. Christie says they’re the best for babies, but I swear, getting her into and out of those things is like wrestling a greased pig.”
    Leo laughed and clapped Cal on the shoulder. The marriage epidemic that had hit Brody’s Crossing lately had resulted in an increase in the next generation. Toni and Christie liked to consider the Onesie crowd as future customers. Leo tried to buy into the idea of looking forward, but that meant he might see himself still running the hardware store and renovating buildings in twenty or thirty years. Probably still single and looking for the next pretty face. Or would he have become so bored by his life that he’d do something crazy again?
    Something like running off to the closest blackjack game. Hoping the guys who told him to take himself off the gambling circuit had forgotten him and what he was accused of doing to that Saudi sheik in Dubai.
    Naw, that probably wasn’t going to happen. He’d have to find a way to keep life interesting right here in Brody’s Crossing. Learning more about Amanda Allen and why she was in town would be a real good start.
    He had a feeling that young woman had secrets, too.
    â€œHey, did you zone out?” Cal asked.
    â€œJust thinking about all the changes around here.” Leo heard a car coming toward them and looked around Cal. Well, well. A Subaru wagon with Oregon plates. The morning had just improved.
    â€œHave