The Last Cowboy In Texas Read Free

Does he have a name, Miss Kingfisher?”
    “Dr. Steven Carlson, and I’d prefer you call me Aggie.”
    By the time she had sufficient information to satisfy her dad, it was nearly six. She’d forgotten her meeting with Missy so she pulled out her cell phone and dialed.
    “Missy, I’m sorry. Dad sent me to Reeds Spring for a story and I totally forgot to call.”
    “It’s okay, Paige. Did they have a murder over there?”
    “No. I think it’s a wild goose chase. You know Dad, but I took notes to keep him happy. Can we get together tomorrow?”
    “Nope. Mom and I are going to Branson to shop.”
    “Shopping in Branson, huh? Sounds like fun.”
    “Want to come along?”
    “No. I’ve got to get the weekend edition ready. I’ll talk to you later.”
    Paige decided to eat in the local café. As she went through the door, Troy almost bumped into her on his way out.
    “Hi, Paige. Fancy meeting you over here. On a story?”
    “Yeah. How’s the food?”
    “Try the special. Near as I can tell, it’s the only thing you get the same day you order. Salisbury steak. Not bad.”
    “Thanks for the tip. Well, I’ll see you around.”
    “Hey, you mind if I have coffee while you eat? I just completed a major business deal and I’d like to tell you all about it. Could be some really good advertising for the Herald.”
    “Sure. I don’t mind company.” Even yours.
    She nearly balked when she saw the inside of the café. Knotty pine walls covered with mounted fish of every description, all dulled with age. Ceiling tiles, once white, had weathered yellow but the place seemed clean enough otherwise.
    The waitress was taking her order when Aggie Kingfisher came into the café. Paige did a double take. Gone were the flannel shirt and khaki pants. Gone, too, were the freckles on the woman’s face. Well, almost gone. They were well camouflaged under her makeup. Her flaming hair had been swept into a ponytail. This Aggie was right off the fashion page. And sexy as hell.
    When she turned back to Troy , she wanted to slap the disgusting leer off his smug face. Did he never tire of lusting after women?
    Aggie hadn’t spotted her and sat across the room. Troy smiled in a way that told her he’d detected her jealous thoughts. “I bought two thousand acres today.”
    “Impressive. So what are you going to do with them, Troy ?”
    “Luxury tracts. Five acres a pop.”
    “Luxury? In little old Flanders ? How quaint.”
    “It’s not in Flanders . Near Reeds Spring, actually.”
    “Sounds like your chance for the big-time, Troy .”
    “Yep. I already have half a dozen stars interested, including Jason Tawdry.”
    “Country singers, huh? I wish I could sing.”
    “Maybe you could if you just ever tried it.” His eyebrows did their Tom Selleck lift, raising her pulse even more.
    “Very funny, Troy. How long will it take to plumb your new gold mine?”
    “Depends. There’s one problem. Some female environmentalist claims to have found endangered species along the creek that runs through the property. You know those prissy environmental types. If I can’t get this one squelched fast, I’ll have to spend all my profits in court battles.”
    Paige shot a meaningful glance at Aggie, then turned back and smiled at Troy . “How interesting.” She looked back across the room to see that Aggie had spied her and waved to the woman.
    “Who’s that?” he asked.
    “Aggie Kingfisher. You haven’t met her?”
    “No. She’s not from these parts, is she?”
    “I don’t think so. If you’d like, I’ll introduce you and you can see for yourself.”
    “Sure. I’d love to meet her.” From the look in his eyes, Paige thought he was going to race her across the room.
    She went over to speak to the woman and returned with her in tow. “Troy Roberts, this is Agatha Kingfisher. Aggie, Troy is one of our local luminaries.”
    Troy jumped to his feet and helped her into her chair. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Aggie. May I call