The Last Cowboy In Texas by Pat Dale

chick-lit heaven.
    “You’re Tom?” Paige smiled through her embarrassment. “I should apologize. But you look so different.”
    “It’s still me, Paige. And you haven’t changed a bit.”
    Oh, lord, just what I need to hear. “I hear you have a bookstore in Branson.”
    “That’s right. You’ll have to come browse some time. We offer a large selection of cross-country newspapers.”
    “That’s great. So, what are you guys up to today?”
    Missy said, “Oh, we’re just goofing around. We went to a show in Branson last night.”
    “You did?” She willed her face not to blush. “I went to a show, too. Where did you go?”
    “Andy Williams. He’s so cool. I just love him, don’t you?”
    “Yes. I almost went there but we decided at the last minute to go hear Jason Tawdry.”
    Tom said, “You like country? I would never have taken you for a country fan.”
    “I’m not a fan, Tom. My—uh, date wanted to go there.”
    “ Troy ?” The name escaped from Missy’s mouth.
    “No. Someone else. A newcomer I was hosting.”
    “You want to go with Tom and me sometime, Paige?”
    “I’d love to, Missy. Name the time and we’ll do it.”
    “With Troy ?”
    There she goes again. How can I get her to shut up about Troy Roberts? “Maybe. Do you remember Troy , Tom?”
    “Sure. He’s done well with his real estate, hasn’t he?”
    “Really well, and I understand he’s on the cusp of doing even better.” She glanced at the clock, almost late for her date with Troy . “Well, I have to run. Nice to see you again after all this time, Tom. Don’t be a stranger.”
    Before he could answer, Missy said, “Oh, he won’t.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Seven
     
    Troy forced himself to concentrate on the landscape drawings. The road and utility construction company he’d picked for the project needed them as soon as possible. Before he turned the plans over to them, he had to confirm that everything was as it should be. Once the earthmoving machines did their work on the steep hillsides, it would be too late to correct any missed details.
    Try as he might, he couldn’t get the image of Paige out of his head. When she’d confessed she loved him, his heart had almost jumped out of his chest. If she only knew how often he’d wanted to hear that, how different things might be.
    So now, even though she’d tried to take her words back, he had to convince her he really loved her. It wasn’t going to be easy. So much water under the bridge. But maybe...
    Back to work , he reminded himself. He scanned the sheets once more, noting with satisfaction the trails and landscape features included in the plan. Also, all those mature trees that would be left in place. It was harder to work around them but the finished development would look like it had been there for decades.
    When eleven forty-five came, he could stand it no longer. He headed for the café to assure them a place to sit, one with a little privacy for what he had to say. He’d just secured a table when Paige came through the door.
    “Hey, Paige! I’ve got us a table back here.”
    “Great. I was worried about whether there’d be room.”
    “Me, too. That’s why I came a little early. So, how did your morning go?”
    “Pretty dull. How about you?”
    “Not dull, but tedious. I’m about ready to send my landscaping plans to the guys that’ll clear the land.”
    “I’d never thought about it but there must be some pretty complicated calculations to this kind of venture. Do you have to plan all the streets and everything yourself?”
    “Don’t have to, but I do. Right down to sewer drainage and utility service lines. It’s something most realtors leave to landscape architects. Handy for me I have a degree and experience in that field.”
    She nodded. “I’d forgotten that was your major in college. So, you’re not waiting for the environmental controversy to die down?”
    “Nope. Can’t afford to wait. Time is money. Besides, you