Free Promise Them (The Callahan Series Book 6) by Mitzi Pool Bridges

until I call.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Can’t anybody take orders without asking a dozen questions?”
    “Excuse me , Emma.” Molly huffed. “I’ve been sending lunch to your house since you came home from the hospital. Don’t you think I just might want to know if you’re eating right?
    She turned on her heel and limped back to the kitchen.
    Emma and Dani had been here less than ten minutes, and Emma had snapped at everyone she’d spoken to. Beau almost felt sorry for Dani for putting up with the woman. Except it didn’t seem to bother her at all.
    “I can cook better food than Molly’s blue-plate-special, and it will cost less,” Dani explained.
    If that sentence wasn’t enough to knock his socks off, Beau didn’t know what was. “I had no idea you could cook.”
    “What do you think I did all those years you were too busy to be around? I was with Lela.”
    “I see,” Beau said lamely.
    Emma hadn’t wasted a second. She was halfway through her roll and cup of coffee. Dani had barely touched hers. Maybe he should leave before Dani became more upset.
    “ Do you, Dad?” Dani sat back against the booth’s high back, gave him the evil eye.
    No doubt about it, she hadn’t forgiven him. Neither had Rey.
    “I wish I’d known. I’d love to eat a meal you put together.”
    Emma pulled on Dani’s sleeve, making her bend close. “Ask him for dinner. Nellie, too. Been a long time since I entertained.”
    “No,” Dani stage whispered.
    “Yes. It’s my house. My food. Do it.”
    Dani’s eyes flashed daggers at the older woman. “It’s my time and trouble.”
    “I’m the boss.”
    “You’re a dictator.”
    “It’s okay, Dani. I can hear both of you.” He stood to leave. “You ladies have a nice day. He put his Stetson on, ran a hand down Dani’s cheek. “I love you, baby.”

Chapter Eight
    Beau was walking out of Carter’s Grocers, his list complete, his cart piled high, when he ran into Dani again.
    “Emma convinced me to cook,” she said, startling him. “If you and Nellie could come Sunday at six, it would be great.”
    “Are you sure, honey? You don’t have to do this.”
    Dani snorted. “It’s what Emma wants.”
    “But if you don’t…”
    “It’s fine, Dad. Just show up and make Emma happy, okay?”
    On the way back to the ranch, Beau’s mind whirled. Much to his surprise, Dani was holding her own with a woman who, from what he saw and heard today, wasn’t that easy to get along with. And Dani could cook? Why didn’t he know? They’d lived under the same roof for twenty-three years, and he didn’t have a clue. It showed what kind of father he was. The thought didn’t set well.
    A sense of pride in his daughter slipped in between the bashing he was giving himself. She was amazing. Spoiled, yes. His fault. But she had skills he hadn’t been aware of. He looked forward to dining with her and Ms. Emma tomorrow night and wondered if he could get Nell to go with him. She’d acted so skittish at Molly’s he didn’t hold out much hope.
    He looked at his watch. It had taken most of the day to get everything they needed. He’d run into a couple of ranchers Donovan had introduced him to a few weeks ago and was talked into going to the auction for a while. He’d wanted to bid on some of the heifers, but after the fiasco with the bull, thought he’d wait until Donovan could come with him.
    The Callahan spread was just ahead. He wheeled into the drive. Might as well take the bull by the horns. If I don’t ask Nell now, I’ll never know.
    Beau was as nervous as a teen when he pulled up the drive and stopped.
    Mark and Donovan were pitching ball. They stopped when they saw him. Now he’d have to explain why he was here. He wasn’t enthused.
    “Hi, Mr. Beau,” Mark called out.
    “Hi, yourself,” he said, shaking the boy’s hand. Donovan had taught the boy well. Beau turned to Donovan, who had a welcome smile on his face. Beau wondered how long that smile would last