Texas Twist (Texas Montgomery Mavericks) Read Free Page B

though it’d hosted many fires over the years. To the right was an open door that led to a well-used office and library.
    She walked farther into the living room and took a hall off to her right, which led to a small, antiquated bathroom and large bedroom. The bedroom contained a double bed, bedside tables and a dresser. All of the furniture looked antique and she suspected they’d been quality pieces when they were purchased. A dining room, old kitchen with washer and dryer and a small bedroom and bathroom with a sink and old toilet made up the remainder of the first floor. The upstairs had three unfurnished bedrooms, a sitting area and one very out-of-date bathroom.
    After her quick tour, she collected Ruby and headed back to her car. This job required a powerful vacuum, which she hadn’t found during her house tour, and cleaning supplies that could cut through months of built-up grime.
    Two hours later, and hundreds of dollars poorer, Paige and Ruby tackled their individual assignments. Paige had her questions about Ruby’s work ethics as her cat perched upon the sofa and seemed content to watch Paige clean.
    Firing up the vacuum first, Paige figured she would suck up as much dirt and dust as possible before she tackled the tables, floors and walls with cleaning cloths. For the next six hours, she vacuumed, swept, washed and polished. She loaded sheets and towels into and out of the washer and dryer. Warm sheets from the dryer went directly onto the bed in the front bedroom while freshly laundered towels found new homes in the linen closet and towel racks in the bath.
    At about seven p.m., she collapsed on the sofa with a loud exhale. She had put a dent into the necessary work required to get the house back into a livable condition. Many more hours of housework were needed, but today had been a step in the right direction. Independence. Reliance on herself. The start of a new job.
    “Not perfect and not finished, but a good start, don’t you think, Ruby?”
    Ruby lifted her rear leg and began grooming.
    “Thanks for your support.”
    A buzzing from her purse drew her attention and she leaned over the sofa arm to pull her phone out. Four missed calls. Three from her brother and one from Caroline Graham. She listened to the message from Dr. Graham, who just wanted to make sure Paige had gotten in without a problem. Her brother wanted her to call as soon as she got the message. She did.
    The phone rang three times before a female said, “Leo’s.”
    Thunderous country music blasted Paige’s eardrums. “This is Paige Ryan. Who is this?”
    “It’s Mae. Leo’s got his hands full. Said if this was you, for you to hold on for him.”
    “Thanks, Mae.”
    Paige heard a loud clunk when Mae set the phone receiver on the counter. While she waited for Leo, rowdy laughter and singing resounded through to her end. Sounded like a Thursday night crowd ready to get their weekends started. In a minute, the clatter of someone picking up the phone dimmed the noise.
    “Paige?”
    “Yeah. It’s me. What do you need, Leo?”
    “Help. The place is packed. Can you lend a hand for a few hours? One of my waitresses called in sick.” When she hesitated, he added, “You don’t have to close. Just come and help at the bar.”
    Her leg and back muscles knotted up at the thought of standing for three or four hours, but Leo had always been there for her, even when he didn’t know it.
    On the worst day of her life, the day they’d buried their parents, Leo had been the one who’d held her, cried with her and made her feel not so alone in the world.
    On the second worst day of her life, he’d been the one to suggest she leave the rodeo road and go to college. He had no idea that he’d probably saved her sanity.
    “Give me an hour and I’ll come.”
    “Thanks, sis.” He hung up before she could say anything.
    Slowly, Cash opened his eyes. A Mack truck revved its engine in his head. He smacked his lips. Tasted like someone had put