The Way to Texas by Liz Talley

sick. She just didn’t want to miss the party to spend time with him. And that hurt. What had he done that was so wrong? The divorce was the result of Karen’s betrayal. Tyson hadn’t thrown his family away. Karen had. So why was he getting the business from his thirteen-year-old daughter?
    He tried to shrug off his hurt feelings. “We didn’t talk about going to boys’ parties. Why did you make this decision on your own?” He couldn’t keep the anger from his voice.
    â€œDon’t be upset, Ty. The party is well-supervised and I will be picking her up and bringing her home. You know I wouldn’t allow her to go to something inappropriate.”
    This he did know. Karen was overly cautious with Laurel, but that didn’t change the fact she hadn’t consulted him. And they had agreed to discuss all the big steps in their daughter’s life. A party involving boys was one of those.
    â€œFine. Next time let’s talk first, okay? And I do want Laurel in Oak Stand next weekend. It’s long overdue.”
    â€œWe’ll talk later this week about the particulars. And, don’t forget, she will be spending Thanksgiving with you and Gramps, too.” Karen’s voice had shifted into sweetness. Placating. Syrupy.
    He hated that tone. When they were married, Karen had often used it to butter him up so she’d get her way. In the beginning it had been cute. But her manipulative nature grew old quickly. Now, his first response toher wheedling was anger. But he let it go. No need to pick a fight. His focus was on Laurel. He wrapped up the conversation and ended the call. As exasperating as Karen had been, at least he felt better about his stance on Laurel’s visit.
    How was he supposed to show Laurel how good life in Oak Stand could be if she wasn’t willing to come here? And how could he fix what was wrong between them? His girl had gone from daddy’s princess to Tweenzilla. He didn’t even recognize her anymore. She rolled her eyes, texted on her phone and insisted on having pedicures. It baffled him that the girl who’d trailed after him even when he mowed the yard had turned into…a real teenager.
    Movement through the kitchen window caught his eye. Dawn. Another complication in his life. He knew that his play for friendship wasn’t working. He thought about her way too much for her to be only a bud. Her clever jokes and sweet smiles paired with the lushness of her curves had rendered him smitten. He was tired of fighting it. Thus the invitation for tomorrow. He wanted to push her a bit, see if there could be something more than what they’d been pretending for the past few weeks. And nudging her was hard to do with the clients of Tucker House lurking around every corner with bright eyes and hearing aids tuned to the highest setting.
    He made his way through the back door to tell Dawn he was leaving. He needed to slip home for a while to check on Gramps…and maybe talk the irascible old man into visiting the center tonight.
    The house smelled yummy. Obviously the sugar cookies hadn’t burned. He paused inside the mudroom and watched as Dawn pulled the baking sheet from theoven and plopped it onto the burners of the stove. The pan shifted and slid into her wrist.
    â€œOw!” she yelped.
    He started for Dawn, but Margo appeared first.
    â€œYou okay?” Margo asked, setting a brown paper bag on the counter, and breaking a piece of aloe from the plant sitting beside the kitchen sink. “Here, put this on it.”
    â€œThanks,” Dawn said, taking the plant piece and dabbing it on the welt. She looked at Margo. “This isn’t a good idea.”
    â€œWhat? Aloe?”
    â€œYou know damn well I’m not talking about aloe. I’m talking about Tyson. I should have said no.”
    â€œWhy?” Margo said, propping her hands on her hips.
    â€œYou stupid or something? You ain’t screwin’ him,