Free The Way to Texas by Liz Talley Page A

that way, too, when I found another woman’s bra in my own bed. And it wasn’t just Murray. Or Larry. I almost went home with some smooth-talking guy I met the night I signed my divorce papers. Seems I can’t resist a man who makes me feel pretty, Margo. It’s a flaw in my character.”
    â€œUh, uh, uh.” Margo shook her head. “You’re all mixed up, ain’t you? Letting all those old wounds keep you from living. Life is too short, baby. You’ve got to grab your happiness. But I reckon you ain’t ready to reach out yet.”
    Dawn shook her head. Margo didn’t understand how precarious her life felt. She’d had no response to the résumés she’d sent out, and she couldn’t depend on her brother forever. She needed a plan. She needed to catch a break. Not a man. “I need to check the cookies.”
    Margo turned her head and looked down the street.“The sun’s startin’ to set. All those goblins and witches gonna be out soon.”
    Dawn didn’t answer. She spun toward the door and nearly ran into Tyson.
    â€œHey,” he said, reaching out to steady her, but then stopped and shoved his hands into his back pockets. He was wearing a plaid button-down shirt and well-worn jeans. His eyes in the last glow of the afternoon shone with brighter intensity. “Avery Long invited me over to his place after church to ride on his trails. You wanna come with me?”
    â€œRiding what?” she asked, crossing her arms so she wouldn’t brush a string from the pumpkin off his shoulder.
    â€œFour-wheelers, you know, ATVs. I’ve been itching to take Gramps’s Grizzly for a spin. Avery’s got several and he told me to bring a friend.” His smile reminded her of the caramel apples she’d made for Andrew. She wanted to taste him. “And since we’re friends…”
    His words threw cold water on the forbidden thoughts involving caramel and his mouth. “Well, yeah, but I don’t know anything about four-wheelers…and I’m not sure I want to. What’s fun about driving them around?”
    He grinned. “Asks the woman who’s never ridden one.”
    Dawn rolled her eyes even though she loved it when he smiled. It made a small dimple appear on his right cheek. “Seriously, what’s so hot about driving around on a glorified kiddie toy?”
    She’d seen ATVs on trailers, mud-splattered and dusty, and thought the people in the trucks pulling them were idiots. Splashing through ditches and spinning wheelies sounded like something a moron would do.Or a child. She was a grown woman, not a snot-nosed little kid with Tonka truck fantasies.
    â€œCome with me and find out,” he said, the dimple appearing again. She thought about how it would feel to plant her lips right there on that little indention. Just a little angel kiss.
    â€œAnybody got a match?” Margo’s voice came from behind them. Dawn didn’t miss the amusement within her friend’s question.
    Tyson peered over her shoulder at Margo. “What do you need a match for?”
    â€œJust making sure we got one. For the jack-o’-lanterns and such.”
    Dawn turned around and propped her hands on her hips. “We have a lighter inside. And did you hear? Tyson and I are going to ride four-wheelers tomorrow afternoon. You wanna come?” What had she committed herself to? She should never have let Margo’s taunts get to her.
    Margo blinked. “No, girl, already got my plans set. Me and James goin’ down to the lake and do some fishin’ after church. You two enjoy the day. My old bones couldn’t handle all that jostling around. But I’m glad to see you doing something that ain’t on your agenda.”
    Dawn narrowed her eyes at Margo. “I don’t plan everything, Miss Know-It-All. See, I’m being flexible and adventurous.”
    Margo grinned. “Mmm-hmm. And it