Once A Ranger

“More likely it means you did the right thing to kick the guy to the curb. Kind of like the universe smiling on your decision,” he said.

Kat selected a roll, taking her time tearing off a piece and slathering it with butter. “Fate is overrated. I think it means the little white balls simply dropped in that order.”

“Lorraine was right, it’s a great story.” Sterling beamed at Kat, his gaze warm. “We’re honored to have a millionaire in our midst.”

“Three millionaires,” Lola crowed.

Lorraine elbowed her sister, giving her a meaningful look.

Lola didn’t seem to notice. Tony wondered if she’d always been so guileless, or if a small stroke at one time had affected her judgment. Or it could even be the early stages of Alzheimer’s.

Kat held up two fingers. “Just a pair. After the jackpot was split among five winning tickets, and Uncle Sam took his chunk, I received a lot less than people think.” She blotted her mouth with her napkin. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s a fabulous thing and I’m extremely grateful. But I’m not likely to join the millionaires’ club anytime soon.”

“Still, it’s a nice windfall.” Lorraine leaned forward. “If you need the name of a top-notch investment firm, I can refer you to the one we use. Our advisor has been very helpful in growing and safeguarding our assets. A single woman can never be too careful.”

“No brothers to help?” Sterling asked her. “Or nieces and nephews?”

“No.” Lorraine’s voice was tinged with loss. “We had a younger sister, but she died as an infant.”

Tony could almost see the wheels turning in Sterling’s head. Him selecting a new victim meant Tony might find evidence. But it also meant the Nash sisters would get hurt.

Will leaned forward. “Tony, what is it you do?”

“I’m a security consultant.”

“I bet that’s fascinating work. Foiling corporate espionage and all that?”

“Yes. But because of the spread of identity theft, more and more of my work is securing client information. It’s become a real liability issue.”

“I can imagine. I’ve been meaning to update the security software on my computer to make sure my client files don’t fall into the wrong hands. Do you have a card?”

Removing his wallet from his back pocket, Tony pulled out a pseudo business card. “I’ll give you a discount, since you’re a friend.”

“Great. I’ll call you after I get back from vacation.” Sterling slid the card into the breast pocket of his button-down shirt.

The thought of getting his hands on Sterling’s computer practically made Tony salivate. It was the easy kind of lie that cons used to bond with people, but still…

Lorraine and Lola regaled them with tales of their youth until their meals arrived.

Tony had selected the top sirloin with mixed seasonal vegetables from the Phoenix Rising garden. A footnote on the menu had indicated guests’ help in the garden was always welcome.

“These vegetables are wonderful,” Kat exclaimed. “Why can’t I cook them this way?”

“My guess is they taste so good because they’re fresher than a lot of grocery store produce,” he answered.

“You cook?” She seemed intrigued in spite of herself.

“Not much, but I’m learning. My ex-wife was big on buying locally grown, organic. I don’t cook when I’m working long hours, but now that I have my own business I sometimes have slow times.”

She tried to turn to Sterling, but he was deep in conversation with Lola.

“Do you garden?” Tony asked Kat.

“No, I’ve always been busy, too. But I’m realizing just how close to burning out I was. It’s not good for me to work sixty hours a week and never take vacations….” Shaking her head, she said, “I don’t know why I told you that. My life is fine the way it is.”

Tony was curious. On one hand, Kat seemed independent, with a streak of wildness, on the other she was solid and dependable.

He sipped his wine. “Sure, we all think our lives are fine right before we crash and burn.” He winced at the bitterness in his voice. Where in the hell had that come from? Striving for a more casual tone, he asked, “If there was one thing you could change about your life, what would it be?”

Man, he’d been spending too much time listening to marriage counselors.

She hesitated. “I’d quit expecting other people to make me happy. I’d do more things that were good for me, without considering what anyone else thought. All those activities I’ve dreamed about over the years, but said I didn’t have time for. Maybe learn to cook. Grow a few vegetables and flowers in a garden. I don’t know, it’s something to consider.”

“Sounds like a win-win proposition.” He shook his head. “Don’t tell my ex I said that, though. She was always after me to have more balance in my life. Less work, more play and relaxation.”

“You don’t impress me as the relaxed type.”

The waiter came and refilled their water glasses. Tony was tempted to elbow the guy out of the way so as not to lose the headway he’d made with Kat. At the same time, he tried to follow the conversation between Will and the sisters.

After Kat thanked the waiter, she turned to Tony, raising an eyebrow. “Well, am I right? You’re an adrenaline junkie?”

“Hey, I can be as relaxed as the next guy,” he protested. “But when I’m involved in something, I’m involved one hundred percent.”

“I can relate.” She picked up her water glass and stared into it for a moment before taking a sip. “I’m that way in my relationships. I’ve been told it leaves very little room for the other person…to contribute.”

The last thing Tony wanted to do was contemplate his failed marriage and whether he’d contributed enough. Because, hands down, Corrine had done the lion’s share. At the time it hadn’t been so obvious. Or maybe he simply hadn’t wanted to know.

Shaking his head, he forced his thoughts to the present. “So what made you think I’m an adrenaline junkie?”

She nodded at his feet. “The biker boots. And I saw you in the lobby carrying a helmet. I figure you’re a weekend warrior with a Harley. That, and you’re always scanning the room as you talk, plus there’s this undercurrent to you, as if you’re spring-loaded.”

Tony wondered if he’d chosen the right woman to pursue. She was too damn observant for his comfort. Never a good thing in undercover work.

“You’re sharp,” he said.

“Not really. I simply have a talent for finding the one bad boy in every room. You might even call it a curse.”

CHAPTER FOUR

KAT COULDN’T BELIEVE she’d called Tony a bad boy. Or admitted her Achilles’ heel.

She watched out of the corner of her eye as he cut a piece of steak, speared it with his fork and shoveled it into his mouth.

He wiped his mouth with the cloth napkin and asked, “You had this talent long?”

“Since puberty.”

A smile twitched his lips. “I see.”