Cougar in Texas: 3 (Rugged and Risque) Read Online Free Page B

watering.
    “Us too,” Jess said.
    “Hmph. Someday I’m going to stop offering the menu, you’re not going to want the special, and then you’re going to be shit out of luck because you’ve never bothered to look at any of the regular items.”
    “Not want the special?” Reese raised a brow. “When have we ever not wanted Mike’s special?”
    “Yeah, well, the man’s been storin’ up sick days for some time now. He just might decide to use them.”
    “Why would you torture us with that notion?” Jess quipped.
    “I’m willing to do just about anything to get someone to read the menu so I won’t be kicking myself every night for having ‘em printed up.”
    George laughed. “Maybe next time.”
    “Yeah, right.” She led them into the dining room and pointed toward the far window. “The round eight-top over there.” She eyed Reese and said, “I don’t like empty seats at my tables. Next time bring a date.” She nudged her in a friendly way, then ambled away.
    Reese let out a long-suffering sigh. “Y’all can nix any ideas of fixin’ me up. I’m going stag from here on out.”
    They wound their way through the dining room, greeting the Reverend and Lydia Bain, along with Mayor Grant and his Southern-belle wife Emelda, before reaching their party.
    Those previously seated stood and hugs ensued. No one had returned to their chairs yet when Ruby came back and cleared her throat.
    “I’ve got a straggler,” she said. “Mind if he joins?”
    Reese turned to find sky-blue-eyed Caleb standing off to the side. Her stomach flipped once again.
    He was quick to say, “No, no, I don’t want to impose. You said I could have that table for two in the corner.”
    Ruby shrugged. “Waste not, want not, is my thinkin’. I can put a couple over there. Besides, you’re staying at the B&B, right? So you already know Reese.”
    “Man, there are no secrets in this town,” he said, looking a bit bewildered.
    “Told you.” Reese gestured to the chair next to her. “We have no problem with you joining us. Please.”
    Ruby’s expression was a smug one before she waddled off.
    “Really,” Caleb said, “I’m not looking to crash your party. And,” he gave Reese a pointed look, “I’m not stalking you. I swear. I just came from the ranch. Nadine had suggested this place.”
    She laughed, a sound that reflected too much excitement, in her opinion. Especially for a woman who’d only two minutes ago proclaimed she was henceforth a permanent singleton. So what was with the flirtatious giggle?
    “Best restaurant in town,” she told him, striving for a normal tone of voice, not the breathy one that seemed to come out whenever she spoke with him. “You were bound to end up here. Let me introduce you around.” She turned to the group. “This is Caleb Bennett. Just closed on the Painted Horse Ranch, if you haven’t yet heard.”
    Moving around the table, she indicated each of her friends as she told Caleb about them. “This is Ginger Monroe. She owns the lingerie shop I mentioned.” Naturally, heat crept up on her, flushing her face. She tried to ignore it. “And this is Wilder’s newest deputy and the reverend’s nephew, Ryan Bain. They’re soon to be Mr. and Mrs.” Ignoring the sting of envy at the marital bliss currently consuming the town, she circled the table. “Jack Wade, who owns Wade’s Saloon, and Liza, his wife. She works with Jess at the flower shop. And Jess is married to George Mills, our favorite dentist.”
    “Handy man to know,” Caleb said.
    Returning to her spot next to him, Reese muttered, “And then there’s me.”
    “Not to be overlooked,” he told her with a wink and a smile.
    Her heart fluttered and her breath caught in her throat. He was highly disarming. It was more than charisma that seemed to ooze from his every pore. His casual demeanor and sexy grin were showstoppers, no doubt about it. The face and body weren’t to be dismissed, but his genuine, friendly