Free Somebody Like You by Lynnette Austin Page B

tank top hugged a perfect pair of breasts.
    Cash guessed he could see what had tempted his grandfather. But at seventy-two, the old codger should have had the sense not to buy the cow—especially with a forty-four-year age difference between himself and that cow. Unfortunately, Gramps hadn’t been using the head on his shoulders and had rushed headlong into matrimony, creating one hell of a mess.
    If he’d waited, even a little while, he’d have seen through the façade to the wicked witch inside that showgirl’s body.
    Maybe. He hadn’t really been himself the last year or so. He got confused easily, forgot things. They’d never have let him go to Vegas alone if they’d known that’s what he’d planned to do.
    They’d been frantic when he disappeared, then reassured when he’d called to tell them he was fine. Too damn bad one of them hadn’t hopped in the plane and flown to Vegas after his call because, while he’d claimed he simply needed to get away for a couple of days, he hadn’t run nearly fast enough. Vivi, damn her hide, caught him.
    Gramps had been an easy target. Lonely and disoriented.
    They’d buried him three months ago. A fist of pain squeezed Cash’s heart. God, he missed the old man.
    “I see your girlfriend’s here again.”
    “Annie’s not my girlfriend.”
    Vivi rolled her eyes. “Um-hmm. Could’ve fooled me.”
    “Don’t start, Vivi.”
    “Where’d you find her?”
    “She’s new to town.”
    His grandmother curled a strand of highlighted blond hair around a finger. “She looks awfully familiar. I could swear I know her from somewhere.”
    “I seriously doubt that. Don’t think you two run in the same social circle. Besides, it doesn’t matter. As long as Annie does her job, there’s no problem.”
    “Exactly which job are you talkin’ about, Cash? Her nine-to-five one here at the ranch or her nighttime job takin’ care of you?” She tipped her head to one side. “Doesn’t it strike you strange she just happened to show up needin’ a job when you’re countin’ down to the big three-oh? When you’re runnin’ out of time to—”
    “Stop. Right now.” Anger flared.
    “Ah,” Vivi purred. “You’ve already wondered about it. I can see it in your eyes.”
    “What? You worried about your inheritance, Vivi? Think Annie knew exactly when I’d be in town so she could lure me in?”
    “Maybe. Maybe that part was luck. But I’m telling you, Cash, the lady has her line in the water, and she’s trollin’ for you.”
    “Well, you’d certainly be the expert on that, wouldn’t you?”
    Vivi simply smiled at him.
    “What in the hell was Gramps thinking when he got mixed up with you?”
    “Oh, come on, Cash. You know the answer to that. It’s the same thing you’re thinkin’ every time you look at Annie.”
    “Go to hell.”
    “I already have. It’s called Maverick Junction, Texas.”
    Cash kneaded his forehead and took a long, slow breath. “What’s going on between you and Rosie?”
    “She’s lazy.”
    “Lazy?” He rocked back on his heels. “The woman’s sixty-eight and can work rings around you. And does.”
    “She won’t take direction.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “She’s stubborn. She won’t do as she’s told. I made a couple itsy-bitsy changes in the menu, and the way she took on, you’d think I committed the crime of the century.”
    He kept his eyes on hers. “Itsy-bitsy changes?”
    Vivi stomped her sandaled foot. “I don’t see why, just because something’s been done a certain way in the past, it has to be sacrosanct.”
    “Ooh, big word, Ms. Vegas. You been studying up at night?”
    “Damn you to hell and back, Cash Hardeman.”
    “Thank you.”
    “’Sides, what else have I got to do at night, hmmm? All alone in that big old king-size bed.” She pulled a pout.
    A muscle twitched in Cash’s jaw. “I’m going back to the kitchen to talk to Rosie. See if I can settle her down.” He pointed a finger at Vivi. “And you stay