Unrepentant Cowboy

“Hello.”

“Leif, hi. It’s Serena.” All signs of the irritation she’d exhibited at his breaking their date had disappeared from her sultry voice.

“Hi, yourself. What’s up?”

“I was just wondering how your day with your daughter is going?”

“Better than expected,” he admitted without explaining that he wasn’t actually with Effie.

“Does that mean you can escape that horrid ranch and return to civilization soon?”

“The ranch isn’t horrid,” he corrected her. He had nothing against fresh air, open spaces or even horses and cattle. “It’s the ranch’s owner I have a problem with.”

“Then tell him that and head back to Dallas.”

“It’s not quite that simple. My schedule depends on Effie.” And Joni’s truck that he sure as hell wasn’t about to mention.

“I have an offer neither you nor Effie can refuse,” Serena crooned in her sexiest voice. “If you leave for Dallas now, you’ll get home in time to show Effie how much more exciting Dallas society life is compared to hanging out with a bunch of smelly horses.”

“That would be a hard sell with Effie.”

“What if I throw in a fabulous outfit for her to wear? Just tell me her sizes and I can have one of the personal shoppers at Neiman’s pick out a dress and shoes and have them delivered to your condo.”

“What’s the occasion?”

“Mallory George called a few minutes ago. Her daughter and son-in-law canceled for the opera tonight and Mallory’s invited us and Effie to share their box.”

He tried without total success to keep from laughing. “You have about as much chance of talking Effie into an opera as I do talking you into a hoedown.”

“I’m not sure what a hoedown is but even the name sounds disgusting.”

“Exactly.”

“But I’m not just suggesting a musical performance,” Serena persisted. “Afterward, there’s a champagne reception for the world-famous soprano who has the starring role. It’s black tie. Glitz and glamour equal to any D.C. event.”

“I’m pretty sure Effie’s not high on glitz and glamour.”

“Nonsense. Any teenage girl alive would be thrilled with this opportunity. Your daughter will be so impressed, she’ll forget all about horses and that Dry Goon Ranch.”

“I wouldn’t count on that, and it’s the Dry Gulch Ranch.”

“Whatever.”

“Look, I appreciate the offer, Serena, but even if I wanted to give it a whirl, I can’t make it back to Dallas in time.”

“You could if you left now.”

“Sorry. No can do. This is Effie’s day, and she’s determined to spend it in the saddle. You go to the opera and reception and have a marvelous time. I’ll call you next week after Effie has flown back to California. We can get together then.”

And when they did, he’d be honest with Serena and try to explain to her and himself why he had no enthusiasm for continuing a relationship with one of the continent’s most beautiful women.

“After Thanksgiving I’ll be in Miami for two weeks on a photo shoot,” Serena said, sounding irritated. “And then I’ll be flying to London for a Vogue shoot. I won’t be back in Dallas until Christmas. I explained all of that to you last week. Did you forget?”

“Of course not,” he lied. “I’ll call you in Miami.”

“If that’s the best you can do, don’t bother.”

“I don’t think this is the best time to discuss this.”

“There’s nothing to discuss. It’s clear that I’m at the bottom of your list of priorities.”

That was about the size of it. Still he hated breaking up over the phone. It was kind of like leaving a note on the pillow the morning after. Zero class.

“We should talk, Serena, but now isn’t the time.”

“Save your breath, Leif. There’s nothing left to talk about.” She broke the connection.

He felt like a louse. A relieved louse. But to be fair, he’d warned her from the first he wouldn’t be putting a ring on her finger or going furniture shopping. He was not a forever-type guy.

His phone vibrated again as he slipped it back in his pocket. Evidently, Serena had more to say.

He took the call. “I’m sorry if I pissed you off,” he said, “but—”

“What?”

Damn. It was R.J. “I thought it was someone else on the phone.”

“Must have been a woman.”

“How’d you guess?”

“You started the conversation with an apology.”

“Good point,” Leif agreed. “Is the doc’s truck ready to roll?”

“Nope. Turns out the battery’s dying in my driveway might have been a blessing. That old jalopy has a slew of problems.”

“Like what?”

“An oil leak. Hoses that need replacing. An engine in desperate need of a tune-up. It’s a wonder the darn thing ran at all.”

“Sounds like Joni needs to become bosom buddies with the local mechanic.”

“Or else buy a new truck,” R.J. said. “In the meantime, I told Abe to go ahead and take care of what needs fixing.”

“Don’t you think you should have talked to Joni first?”

“Nope. No use to jaw about it when something has to be done. Can’t have a sweet thing like Joni riding around in a vehicle that’s likely to leave her stranded on some dark country road. When Abe’s finished, the doc’s ride should be as safe as a banker’s wallet.”