Free Red's Hot Cowboy by Carolyn Brown Page B

do believe that my friend had dibs on that piece of pie.”
    Pearl shot a look that would have had a seasoned convict whimpering in his tracks and crossing his legs to keep from putting a wet stain on his orange jumpsuit. “I got you out of jail, drove you home, and you steal my pie. Is that the thanks I get?”
    Wil had the audacity to shrug as if the look didn’t affect him one bit. “I cleaned rooms in your motel all afternoon to pay off that debt, so don’t use the old you-owe-me card. I don’t owe you jack shit and this don’t have your name on it, does it?”
    Before he could blink she reached across the table, picked up the saucer, and licked the pie from crust to tip.
    “It’s got my slobbers on it so I guess it’s mine.”
    “I can’t believe you did that.” Austin knew flirting when she saw it. Had Pearl set her cap for Wil? God help the man! But then, Austin wasn’t even sure God had that much power.
    Pearl shrugged. “A woman has got to protect her rights and I already said that pie was mine.”
    Wil popped a piece in his mouth. “Darlin’, that’s just sugar on the top.”
    “Ewww,” Gemma groaned.
    “What?” Wil asked while he chewed.
    “That’s gross.”
    “Would it be gross if I’d kissed her?”
    “That’s different?”
    “Don’t get your hopes up, cowboy,” Pearl said.
    “Darlin’, don’t you get your hopes up either,” Wil said.
    Austin, Gemma, and Colleen burst out laughing.
    Pearl gave them all an evil look.

Chapter 4
     
    Sleet still hid in the shaded areas on the north side of Highway 82 from Ringgold to Henrietta, but the roads were dry and clear. Stars twinkled around a full moon but Pearl didn’t see any of it. She couldn’t get away from how handsome Wil was in that black shirt. And just thinking about his hand on her back on the way to the kitchen gave her a warm, oozy feeling all over again. She was glad she’d gone to the O’Donnells’ for a few hours and really felt as if she’d had an outing. She deserved it after a whole month of work and classes. Wil was just the icing on the cupcake, and knowing those were his headlights right behind her put a warm glow all over her body.
    When she turned off at the motel she expected him to honk but he followed her, parking the truck between the garage and the back door that led into her apartment. By the time she got the Caddy situated and the garage doors down he was out of his truck and leaning on the fender.
    “After last night and today, I figured you’d be eager to get home,” Pearl said.
    “I told Austin I’d get you home safely.” Wil grinned.
    “Austin worries too much. Who saw to it she got home safe last spring?”
    “Hey, Rye was right across the road the whole time. From the time he first laid eyes on her that man was love drunk as hell.”
    “Love drunk?” Pearl asked.
    “Yeah, he was besotted with that woman. How come you weren’t at their reception? I’d have remembered you if you’d been there.”
    “I had to be out of state for a training seminar for the bank.”
    “You going to invite me in for a cup of coffee?” he asked.
    “No, I am not. I’m going to open the lobby and get ready for customers,” she answered.
    “Then I’ll walk you around the motel and make sure you get inside all right.”
    “Wil, I’m a big girl. I’m not afraid of the dark. I can take care of myself.” She talked as she walked.
    He fell into step right beside her.
    She unlocked the door, didn’t look back as she went straight for the counter, and flipped on the cowboy neons. If she decided to go with quaint and romantic the old cowboy was going to have to retire his bowlegged stance to the garage. Or she’d sell him on eBay… could be that he’d bring a fortune since he was getting right up there close to being a bona fide antique.
    Last night she’d had a full house; tonight she probably wouldn’t have one customer. It was Christmas! No one, not even Santa Claus, was out on Christmas. She hoped