Free Asking for Trouble by Jannine Gallant Page A

the trio, determined they weren’t quite ready to clobber each other, and walked away. Jenna followed.
    “What happened last night?”
    “Nothing. I delivered Cole’s nephew to him and then, like a fool, let him convince me to stay for dinner.” She rubbed the back of her neck, hoping to stop the tension headache before it took hold. “It’s just hard, seeing everything I ever wanted so close—and yet unattainable. I need a new focus, and an evening spent trying to pry complete sentences out of Gabe Tyler will demand my full attention.”
    “That’s good news, especially since it’s already a done deal.”
    Miranda frowned as guilt flashed through her friend’s eyes. “Huh?”
    “When Gabe returned my call, I didn’t want to disappoint him, so I set up the date.”
    “Even though I told you not to?”
    Jenna’s smile would have dazzled a less jaded recipient. “Well, turns out it’s a good thing. You’d have seemed a little schizophrenic, changing your mind back and forth.”
    “And you planned to inform me when?”
    “As soon as I worked up the courage. I told Gabe you’d meet him at the Rusty Nail for drinks tomorrow night at six-thirty. Anything else is up to you.”
    “Gee, thanks.”
    Her friend ignored the sarcasm. “You bet. Maybe I should quit my job here and start a matchmaking service.”
    “Or run for political office. They never listen to the people they work for, either.”
    A snort of laughter shook her protruding belly. Clasping her sides, she moaned. “That hurt. And speaking of employee relationships, how’d the interview go?”
    “Very well. If Stephanie Miller’s background check passes, I’ll probably hire her. Then you can cut back on your hours before you bring on early labor.”
    “I wouldn’t argue with that. Anyway, she has patient eyes. In this business, that’s important.”
    “You’ve got that right.” Behind her, a shriek of outrage pierced the air. As Miranda sprinted toward the culprit who clutched a pair of plastic, blunt nosed scissors like a dagger, she wondered if Cole didn’t have the right idea. There was something to be said for a life without children.
    ****
    Ruggedly handsome was the term that sprang to mind when she gazed into Gabe Tyler’s deep blue eyes—or tried to. The single dimple stirred appreciation, but not the lust Miranda had been hoping for. Maybe if she could get the man to pry open his lips and talk that would change.
    “Is this a busy time on your ranch?”
    “Yep, but most times are.” He swirled his scotch on the rocks and stared down at the condensation rings on the round table where they sat in a corner of the Rusty Nail Saloon.
    She held back a pent up sigh of frustration. “With what, exactly?”
    His gaze met hers briefly before skittering away. “I don’t want to bore you with the details of calf vaccinations.”
    “Please, bore me. Uh, I mean, I’m interested, really.”
    His stiffly held shoulders relaxed, and a real smile appeared. “No, you’re not.”
    “So, I lied.” She returned his grin, and the tension between them dissolved. “Do you want to hear about the little monster who tried to scalp his playmate with plastic scissors yesterday? Or maybe the leaking diaper that—”
    “Stop. Stop.” He held up his hands and chuckled.
    The sound had a rusty edge to it, but sent a spurt of warmth through her all the same. “Okay, no gruesome work details. How about movies, seen any good ones lately?”
    He planted an elbow on the table and leaned toward her. “I’m pretty certain I haven’t been to the movies during this century. Not a top priority.”
    Inching back, she sipped her chardonnay. “Books. Do you read?”
    “They don’t write them like Louis L’Amour used to.”
    Her eyes narrowed. “You must do something for fun.”
    His cheeks took on a pink hue. “I paint flowers. I suck at it, but it relaxes me.”
    Finally, a topic of mutual interest. “I grow flowers, and I draw birds. There’s