Cherishing Mrs. Right Read online

  morning, so I guess lemonade?” she said.

  “The staff meeting won’t be long. I’m waiting on

  a few more employees. After that, we can take a

  drive; go back to the ranch, or whatever.”

  Darla nodded. Cody turned around and started to

  walk back toward the swinging doors. He paused a

  moment and with one hand on the door he turned to

  face her. “You probably should start thinking about

  what it is you really want. You know—stay, or go.”

  Darla arched her eyebrows. “True. I guess I need

  to be a grown-up and make some decisions.”

  Cody pushed the door open and walked into the

  kitchen. Darla watched as the doors swung back and

  forth a few times. She sighed. “I know I’ve said and

  done some dumb things in my life, but that right

  there is the sweetest dumbest thing I’ve done in a

  long time,” she mused. She turned back around and

  gazed out the window, forgetting all about deciding

  on the next step of her future.

  Chapter Five

  

  After the meeting, Cody headed out to the main

  dining area to get Darla. She wasn’t sitting where

  he’d left her. He glanced around the room and

  couldn’t see her. He made his way toward the

  restrooms when he heard a faint sobbing sound. He

  gently pushed open the women’s bathroom door.

  “Darla. Are you in here? Is everything all right?”

  Cody waited for some sort of confirmation it was

  indeed her. Suddenly he heard someone blowing

  their nose. “Yes. I’m fine. I’ll be right out.”

  Cody shook his head. He let the door swing back

  in place and went to the table he’d left her at. Soon

  she was making her way toward him. She was

  blotting her eyes and wiping her nose.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “Nothing.”

  “Clearly something is the matter. You’re crying,”

  he said softly, as he touched her on the arm.

  “It’s just that I’m such a mess. I’m thirty-five

  years old, don’t have a place to call home, am a

  drifter, and all my adult life I’ve made some

  immature decisions. I don’t have anything to show

  for my thirty-five years. I’m a disgrace to the human

  race,” she wept.

  Cody reached his arms around her and pulled her

  close. “You’re not a disgrace. I happen to like your

  quirky little self,” he said, hugging her firmly.

  Darla relaxed into his arms, and he felt the

  difference. He lowered his head and took a whiff of

  her hair. He gently pushed her back. “You’re right,

  though. You do have some grown-up decisions to

  make. Do you want to stay or do you want to go?”

  “If I stay, what will I do? I can’t crash at your

  place.”

  Cody pursed his lips. “Why can’t you?”

  Darla looked into his eyes. She searched every

  inch of his face. She focused on his mouth, noticing

  how perfectly it was formed, and she found herself

  drawn to him hard. She ran her tongue over her lips.

  This was a strange moment for her. “I’ll crash your

  pad under one condition.”

  “Oh? And what is that?” he asked.

  “You’ll let me cook and clean as repayment. Just

  until I figure out what it is I’m going to exactly do

  here in Dallas.”

  “I guess we better stock up on tofu, then.”

  Darla smiled and gently gave his arm a squeeze.

  “We’re going to get along just fine, cowboy.”

  * * *

  Back at the ranch Cody and Tracker headed out

  to the barn. Cody wasn’t used to a woman being at

  his house and the two needed their space.

  His plan one day was to have horses and other

  livestock but with his busy schedule at the restaurant,

  he found he didn’t have time to consider adding more

  responsibility to his list right now. The barn served

  as a reminder that he’d not achieved all his goals,

  yet.

  “Come on, boy, let’s take a walk.”

  Cody and Tracker walked along the fenced-off

  area that he hoped one day would be a secure place

  for horses. Mending the fence would be his first

  priority before he could even think about getting

  horses.

  “What am I going to do with her?” he said to

  Tracker.

  Tracker angled his head. He eyed his master and

  listened intently as he spoke.

  “She’s totally different than any woman I’ve ever

  dated or been attracted to. I don’t know if we would

  be that compatible. She’s a free spirit type, and I’m a

  regiment type of guy. She likes tofu, and I like beef.”

  Tracker didn’t take his eyes off of Cody.

  “She’s so pretty, though. And I love her natural,

  carefree style. I’m tired of those Dallas high society

  types. The ones that wear so much make-up you

  don’t know if you’re seeing the real person or not.”

  Tracker got up and wandered over to his side.

  Cody reached down and ran his hand down his back.

  He patted him after the last stroke. “So what do you

  think? Keep her or throw her back in?” Cody

  chuckled at his truism.

  Tracker’s tail started wagging, and suddenly he

  turned his head and licked Cody’s arm. Cody let out

  a hardy laugh. “I guess that means she’s a keeper.”

  Tracker wagged his tail once again.

  “I have to take this slow, Tracker. We’ve been

  alone for a long time. I don’t feel like getting hurt

  again. If it’s meant to be, it will be. No matter how

  long it takes. Let’s head on home.” He reached down

  and gave Tracker another pat on the butt. The two

  headed back to the ranch. Cody smiled with each

  step. Soon he was whistling.

  * * *

  “This is pretty good,” Cody said, as he took

  another bite of the patty that was placed between a

  whole grain bun. “You said this is a veggie burger?”

  Darla nodded. “Yep. It has carrots, black beans,

  and other vegetables. It’s one of my favorites.”

  Cody took a sip of his iced tea and washed down

  the food. “Maybe I should consider having a veggie

  burger on the menu at the restaurant.”

  “I think it’s a great idea,” Darla said, as she

  reached for the pitcher and topped off their glasses.

  “And you said these are sweet potato french

  fries?”

  Darla let out a deep chuckle. “Where have you

  been? Lots of restaurants have sweet potato fries on

  the menu.”

  “I don’t go out much. I usually just eat at my

  restaurant.”

  Darla tilted her head. “Why are you single?”

  Cody’s eyes widened. “Wow. That’s kind of

  personal.”

  “You’re a handsome man—you have your own

  business. Look around, man, you have a lot to offer a

  woman.”

  Cody took another bite of his veggie burger.

  “You’re not going to open up with me, huh?”

  Cody reache
d over and picked up his glass of

  iced tea. “I’m kind of a private guy.”

  “I’m an open book. You can ask me anything,”

  she said, looking deep into his eyes.

  Cody squirmed a bit in his seat. She made him

  feel a bit vulnerable, and he wasn’t sure he liked it.

  “I’ve never found the right girl. Besides, I’m

  pretty busy. Most women don’t understand the

  restaurant business, and I get tired of always

  apologizing for my absence.” Cody looked over at

  Tracker, who was curled up on his soft bed. “Tracker

  understands. He loves me no matter how long I’m

  gone.”

  “I keep falling for the wrong kind of guys. I once

  dated a guy who was a wanted man.”

  Cody gulped. “A wanted man? As in a criminal?”

  Darla nodded. “One day these FBI guys break

  down our hotel door and take him away in handcuffs.

  I still don’t know what he was wanted for.”

  “I can say with much certainty I’ve never dated a

  criminal,” Cody said, shaking his head.

  “That’s nothing. Another time I dated a guy who

  was married. Found out he was married to two

  women, and I might have been the third!”

  “Okay, what’s wrong with you? Don’t you vet

  your dates before you get involved with them?”

  Cody asked.

  Darla shrugged her shoulders. “Now I do. But

  then, no.”

  Cody laughed. “Just don’t tell me you dated an

  ax murderer.”

  Darla swallowed her bite quickly and took a sip

  of her tea. “Well, not an ax murderer, but I did date

  someone who killed someone.”

  Cody’s eyes darkened. He studied her face. He

  licked his lips, just once, and then he spoke. “I’ve

  killed someone before. So I guess we do have

  something in common.”

  Darla’s eyes widened, and a small sound escaped

  from her mouth. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said

  that. I should have been more sensitive. This is not a

  joking matter. Please forgive me?”

  Cody lowered his head. She could see his chest

  rise and fall and realized she’d touched on some bad

  memory. Most likely from his days as a Marine. She

  pushed her chair back and stood up. She walked over

  to him and laid her hands on his shoulders. She

  didn’t plan it, but she moved her hands down his

  back consoling him the one way she knew how—

  with a gesture. She could feel him stiffen slightly

  then quickly relax. He raised his head and then he

  pushed his chair back, stopping her touch.

  He stood up, and the two were just inches apart.

  “It’s part of my past. A dark past. I guess you’d say

  we both have a past full of regrets.” He stood staring

  at her, waiting for some reaction.

  Darla reached out and took his hand into hers.

  She gently laced her fingers in his. “Maybe we can

  work through our past together. It’s been a long time

  since I could really trust someone.”

  Cody searched her face and then focused on her

  mouth. Her beautifully shaped mouth. He leaned in

  and kissed her, his tongue gently sweeping the inside

  of her mouth. She let out a soft moan. Her head was

  spinning and to help stable herself she reached up

  and placed her hands around his neck and held on.

  She didn’t know it at the time, but she was about to

  be on the ride of her life.

  Chapter Six

  

  Darla had to pinch herself almost daily. Was this

  really happening? Had she finally found a guy who

  would respect her, take her as she was—cherish her

  for always? It was too good to be true. She’d been

  hurt so many times. She didn’t have enough fingers

  or toes to count all of the times. On a whim, she’d

  driven to a place that probably would be one of the

  last places on earth she’d ever consider, and lo and

  behold, in walked a man—a cowboy who might be

  the answer to her prayers.

  She was unconventional in how she prayed, but

  nevertheless, she asked for guidance, forgiveness,

  and yes, even at times, to take her away from all the

  drama that seemed to find a way into her life. But

  after much soul searching and growth, she came to

  the conclusion that she was part of the problem. She

  was falling for guys that were wrong for her, and just

  when she said the heck with it, she’d go it alone, in

  walked Cody.

  “I’ve been thinking,” Cody said, as he walked up

  behind her and gave her a hug.

  She turned her head slightly, reaching up and

  kissing him on the cheek. “Oh?”

  Cody pulled out a chair and plopped down.

  Darla propped her hands on the table and cradled

  her face as she intently watched and listened.

  “You haven’t figured out what you want to do,

  yet. So … I thought you should come to work at the

  restaurant.”

  Darla dropped her hands and stiffened her

  posture. “Come work at Cody’s Steakhouse … with

  you?”

  “I’ve been thinking about tweaking a few things

  on the menu and in the décor. I want my place to be a

  restaurant where everyone feels welcome. Maybe

  add the veggie burger, and a couple of other

  vegetarian dishes, and spruce up the interior. Dallas

  demographics are changing. You’re a perfect

  example of that,” he said with a twinkle in his eyes.

  “I don’t know what to say, Cody. I hope you

  don’t think us having a relationship means that you

  have to change. I like you just the way you are.

  Cowboy boots and all,” she turned a quirky smile.

  He reached across the table and took her hands

  into his. He played with her fingers and then taking

  his thumbs he gently massaged her wrists.

  “Well, I’m glad to hear that ‘cuz I don’t want to

  change you either. I like all your quirkiness.” He

  reached up and took a stray hair of hers and placed it

  behind her ears. She swiftly placed her hand on top

  of his not allowing him to move his hand. She gently

  took a hold of his hand and removed it, clasping her

  hand to his.

  “Do you believe in fate?” she asked.

  He nodded.

  “I have to. I’ve been through so much. You don’t

  know the half of it. Someday, when I think you’re

  ready, I’ll tell you more.”

  He nodded again. “Same here. I have a few war

  stories to share. But I don’t know if you’ll ever be

  ready to handle it. I bet you were against the war.”

  She pursed her lips. “Yes. I’m never for killing

  humans, but I know it was your job. Just like it was

  Bryan’s.”

  Cody released his hand from hers. “That’s right,

  and I would do it all over again if called upon.” He

  looked off into the other room. He turned his

  attention back toward her. “But that was a long time

  ago. I guess you could say I’m a peace-loving dude,


  now,” he laughed.

  “Dude, that’s groovy. Welcome to my universe,”

  she said.

  He pushed his chair back from the table and

  stood up. “Think about my offer.”

  Darla watched as he left the room. He filled out

  his Levis in all the right places. His bulging thighs

  showed through the jeans and the faded blue T-shirt

  he had on pulled tight against his broad shoulders

  and large triceps. Darla smiled and she shook her

  head. What she’d like to do to him. But things were

  moving at a snail’s pace, and she was all right with

  that.

  * * *

  The laughter coming from the kitchen was hearty

  and Cody could tell everyone in that room was

  having a good time. He walked in and saw Darla and

  Marcus bent over a document that was on the

  stainless steel counter, their heads almost touching.

  Cody cleared his throat. The two looked up, and

  when they saw him, they stood straight up and gave

  him their full attention.

  “I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” Cody

  said.

  “No. I was just showing Marcus my suggestions

  for the menu.” She moved away from Marcus and

  took a few steps toward Cody.

  Cody made eye contact with Marcus. He nodded

  his head and glared at him. He wanted him to know

  he better not be flirting with her.

  “So what do you think about some of these

  changes, Marcus?” Cody said coolly.

  Marcus hesitated briefly. “I think the veggie

  burger will go over well, and I think the pasta dish

  with tofu might be an interesting twist. I agree we

  should have more vegetarian type dishes for our meat

  lovers’ friends and families. I’m cool with the

  changes,” he added.

  “Good. So go ahead and implement the changes

  and get the menus printed so we can get things

  going,” Cody ordered.

  Darla felt a bit uneasy with Cody’s gruff tone.

  “Marcus was just being helpful, Cody. No need to be

  so hostile.”