Dropping The Hammer

“So it seems. I’m a city girl myself. Sushi and a salad are my usual Saturday night splurge.”

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear you say that.”

“Does that mean you’re a cowboy, too?”

“I am this week.”

“There must be a story there.”

“Not one you’d want to hear before dinner—or after, either, for that matter.”

“Now you’ve really piqued my curiosity. Do you know all three of the Lawrence brothers?”

“We went to school together many years ago.”

“Pierce and Riley are in the backyard slaving over the hot charcoal. They may put you to work if you venture that way, but I’m sure they’d love to see you again and say hello.”

“Sounds like a good idea.”

“Then follow me.”

The view was almost as spectacular from the rear. Hard to imagine he could feel anything sensual after the visit he’d had with his father, but maybe it was his survival instincts kicking in. Or perhaps the fact that he hadn’t been with a woman in more months than he could count on his fingers and toes.

More likely it was simply that she was a natural temptress.

They walked through the house, onto the covered back porch and down the few steps to the yard. Mouthwatering odors spilled from a huge barrel-shaped grill.

They walked closer and watched as Riley basted a slab of ribs with one hand. The fingers of the other hand were wrapped around a beer.

Pierce stepped over to greet them. “Glad you could make it, Luke. Esther said she twisted your arm to accept her dinner invitation.”

“Actually, she just said ‘food’ and I jumped at the chance.”

“As you can see, we have enough meat here to clog the arteries of a dozen more guys,” Riley said.

“Don’t bet on it. My arteries haven’t seen a Texas meal like this in recent memory.”

Pierce turned to Riley. “You remember Luke Dawkins, don’t you?”