The Last Cowboy In Texas Read Free Page B

telling Paige he worried that she would give him away. But she knew it was something he’d have to chance and said nothing. He excused himself and left the café.
    Aggie turned to Paige. “What kind of business is he in?”
    “A little of everything, actually. He’s a real go-getter. The classic overachiever.”
    “I see. Troy ’s certainly handsome.”
    “Yes, and nobody knows that better than he.”
    “Stuck on himself?”
    “You could say that. Watch yourself with him, Aggie. He’s got quite a reputation with the ladies.”
    “Oh! Well, you don’t have to worry about competition from me, Paige. I have my man. I hope I do.”
    “Steve?”
    “Um hum. He hasn’t committed himself yet, but he’s hinted.”
    “He’s single?”
    “Trying to get a divorce, actually. Some awful witch has got her hooks into him.”
    “Oh. Well, good luck on that. About Troy , I hope you didn’t think I was trying to protect my territory. I wasn’t. We’re like oil and water, if you know what I mean.”
    “Right. That’s why his eyes were trying to melt you.”
    “I don’t know about that.” Embarrassed, she sputtered, “Let me pay for your meal tonight, Aggie. It’s been fun getting acquainted. I’ll be in touch when Steve gets here.”
    Paige headed home with more than a little frog on her mind.
     
    * * *
     
    Ozzie and Cil were sitting in the living room when Paige came in. Her mother said, “You missed dinner, honey. Can I get you something to eat?”
    “No thanks, Mom. Dad sent me to Reeds Spring on assignment. I ate at the café over there when I was done.”
    Ozzie said, “How did it go? Did you talk to the woman?”
    “Yes. There just may be a good story in this after all.”
    “Really? Environmental forces at work and all that?”
    “At the very least. Maybe a lot more.”
    “Oh?” His eyes lit up. “Well, tell me about it.”
    “Not yet, Dad. I have to do some research. And Aggie has a man coming I’ll want to interview before firming it up.”
    “Do you think our readers will be interested in it?”
    “I’m sure they will. Especially if what I think is going to happen, does.”
    “What is the endangered specie?”
    “She’s found the Gamies.”
    “Gamies! How the devil could she think they’re endangered for crying out loud?”
    “Says she’s got to save them from those awful local fishermen who use them for bait. Says it’s barbaric.”
    She smiled, watching her father’s face flame. He was an avid sportsman who loved nothing more than fishing for large bass in the nearby lakes. Using Gamies for bait.
    “We may not bother with this. Sounds like she’s a flake.”
    “She may be a flake, but she’s an educated one. She’s working on her doctorate at Wash U. And she’s pretty canny.”
    Ozzie’s eyes bore into hers. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
    “I wouldn’t exactly call it enjoying, but I am fascinated with the possibilities.”
    “Hmm. I detect the possibility you’re holding something back, something vital to the story.”
    “It’s too early to tell, but I’ll let you in on it when I know for sure. It may entail shutting down a lucrative local land developer’s deal if Miss Kingfisher is successful.”
    Osmond smiled. “Now, that’s more like it. A story you can get your teeth into.”
    She gleamed triumphantly. “I couldn’t have said it better.”
     
    * * *
     
    Paige was climbing into bed when her cell phone rang. “Hello?”
    “Well, did you rat on me?”
    “No, Troy , I didn’t give your secret away. I was waiting for you to get up the courage to tell her the truth. Oh yeah, thanks for letting me into your club.”
    “About that, we need to talk. Now about the other-”
    “What about the other? You’re either going to tell her you’re the land developer she’s trying to stop or she’ll find out on her own. Which do you think is better?”
    “I don’t honestly know. Neither is a good option.”
    “You’ve got that right. Now, if