Free Suddenly Texan by Victoria Chancellor Page B

He was pretty sure the women he’d known on the blackjack circuit hadn’t spent a lot of time oohing and ahhing over infants. They were too wrapped up in themselves, strategizing and working their way into the best casinos in the world.
    Cassie and Darla walked up and he introduced them to Amanda. Although they were a few years older than she was, they could possibly be friends if Amanda stayed in town. He sensed she could use some friends. She seemed lonely.
    â€œIt’s nice to meet you,” Amanda said, shaking their hands before looking back at the baby.
    â€œLook at me! Look at me!” three-year-old Peter said as he ran up. “I’m Diego!”
    Leo wasn’t sure who Diego was, but Peter was wearing a safari-style hat and held a stuffed baby leopard in one hand.
    â€œWho is Diego?” Amanda asked, gazing down with a smile at the little boy with bright blue eyes.
    â€œHe rescues animals. I’m Diego!”
    â€œYou’re a big boy,” Amanda said.
    â€œHe’s a handful, but sharp as a tack,” Darla said,obviously feeling pride at the accomplishments of her precious charge.
    â€œHe wears me out,” Cassie confessed, “when he comes to our apartment to visit. I wish I had that much energy.”
    Christie put one hand on Cassie’s shoulder and the other on Darla’s. “I’m just thankful that Darla is there to take such good care of him. I know he’d wear me ragged if I watched him all day long.”
    â€œI guess I’ll have to find someone almost as talented as Darla if we get our little bundle of joy,” Wyatt said, returning with a couple of beers. “Ready for a cold one?” he asked Leo.
    â€œSure am. All this talk about babies is making me a little queasy,” he teased.
    Toni laughed. “And here I thought women were the ones who got morning sickness.”
    â€œI really wouldn’t know,” Leo said, holding up his beer. “Not even close.”
    â€œTMI, brother,” Toni teased.
    â€œWhat would you like to drink?” he asked Amanda, looking down at her fluffy hair as she watched Christie adjust Peter’s hat.
    â€œA beer would be fine. A light draft if they have it.”
    â€œSure. I’ll be right back.” He turned to his family and friends. “Don’t give her a hard time while I’m gone.”
    â€œWouldn’t dare think of it, little brother,” Toni teased.
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    A MANDA LOOKED INTO THE handsome, if rather tough and chiseled-looking, face of her older brother. Cal Crawford barely resembled the youthful photo she hadfrom their mother. A couple of scars, one on his temple near his eye, gave character to his face.
    His smile altered his features, though, as he bent down to pick up his son, Peter. “So this is where you got off to,” he said, looking at his wife and children.
    â€œThis is Leo’s friend, Amanda,” Christie said. “Amanda, this is my husband, Cal. He’s the rancher in the family.” Christie turned to look at him. “Amanda is interested in the Rocking C buffalo.”
    â€œOh, I—” She didn’t want to talk about animals. She wanted to know about family.
    What does family really mean to you, Calvin Crawford?
    â€œThat was mostly my brother’s doing, but it’s worked out okay.”
    â€œJust okay,” Christie responded in a scoffing tone.
    â€œYour brother doesn’t live here, does he?” Amanda knew he didn’t, but she struggled for something to say that sounded casual. Conversational. And all the while she just wanted to stare at him.
    â€œNo, Troy defected to New Hampshire. He’s a Yankee.”
    â€œHe’ll always be a Texan first, but he’s married to someone from New England,” Christie explained.
    I want to meet him, Amanda wanted to say, but couldn’t think of a way to ask when he would be visiting next. She might have to drive to New