The Texan's Return. Karen Whiddon

just...”

      “You looked different then,” Eli put in.

      “Yeah.” Even Tom had a comment.

      “Different how?” Hailey looked from one to the other.

      “I don’t know. Just...happier. Brighter, even. Like you glowed.” Having said that, Tara returned her attention back to her fingernails.

      Brighter. Happier. In love. Hailey blinked. “I’m fine,” she said firmly. “And while I really appreciate everyone thinking of me, in the future, please, discuss with me any other schemes you might come up with, okay?”

      All three of them nodded.

      “Good. Now that you understand, wash up and get ready for dinner. After we eat, I want everyone to make sure their homework is done, okay?”

      Again, the kids nodded in unison.

      For the evening meal she made hamburger meat and pasta again. Not the healthiest choice, but an inexpensive one that all the kids liked. June didn’t put in an appearance at all, so they ate without her. Hailey resisted the urge to go check on her, aware that right now she couldn’t handle finding her mother passed out, drunk.

      As a treat, she’d bought ice cream. Once they’d finished, she got each of them a single scoop and watched their young faces light up.

      After, everyone brought their homework out to work on at the kitchen table, at Hailey’s insistence. Truth be told, she enjoyed this feeling of togetherness, of family. She only hoped their mother didn’t do something to ruin it.

      Her cell phone rang. As she glanced at the number, her heart skipped a beat. Mac. She actually considered not answering, or sending the call to voice mail, but in the end she said hello.

      “Would it be all right if I came over?” Mac asked. “I have something important I need to discuss with you.”

      Nonplussed, she swallowed. Suddenly, she realized she badly wanted to see him. Not good. “When?”

      “Now.”

      She glanced over her shoulder at the three avid faces shamelessly attempting to eavesdrop. “Now isn’t a good time.”

      “Then how about later? In an hour? I just need a few minutes of your time.”

      There were several ways she could answer that. If June saw him, that alone might be enough to set her off and on a two-day bender. And of course the kids, playing at matchmaking, would have reason to think they’d been successful.

      Yet despite all this, she realized she craved him, with an intensity so powerful, it hurt.

      She had to be strong. Too much was at stake. “I don’t think today is good at all.”

      Silence. Then he sighed. “I just need five minutes, Hailey. Five quick minutes. I can meet you somewhere, or come there, or you can stop by here. Please. This is important.”

      It must be, for him to push so hard. “Fine,” she said, relenting. “Five minutes. Now. I’ll meet you at the end of my driveway.” That way there was zero chance that June would see him. And the kids, despite their attempts to listen in, wouldn’t be able to watch.

      “Give me fifteen minutes to get there,” he said. “And, Hailey?”

      “Yes?”

      “Thank you.” He ended the call.

      Dropping her phone into her back pocket, Hailey looked up to find all three of her siblings openly staring at her.

      “Well?” Tara demanded, barely able to contain her excitement. “Was that Mac? Do you have a date?”

      The quelling look Hailey shot her should have been intimidating. Instead, Tara grinned. “You do, don’t you?”

      “Not a date,” she clarified. “A meeting. He says it will take five minutes. He wants to talk to me about something. Probably about Eli showing up over there uninvited and unannounced.”

      Eli shook his head. “No, I doubt it’s about me. If he wanted to say something about my visit, he could have done it over the phone. It’s got to be more personal than that if he needs to say it to your face.”

      What? Now Hailey stared. How had Eli gotten to be eleven going on thirty? Sometimes he acted older and wiser than both of the fourteen-year-old twins combined.

      “You’re right!” Tara jumped up. “He probably wants to ask you out on a date.”

      “I doubt that.” Hailey was quick to respond. “And once again, that’s also something he could do over the phone.” She made a show out of checking her watch. “I’d better get going. He’s on his way over here right now.”

      “Here?” Tara squeaked. “We get to actually see him, in person?”

      Oh, geez. “No. Settle down. I’m meeting him at the end of the driveway. To talk. Alone.” She met each of their gazes. “Got that?”

      One by one, each kid slowly nodded. Satisfied, Hailey headed to the bathroom to check her reflection in the mirror. She excused this little bit of vanity, refusing to think about it. Then, with one last warning glare at Tom, Tara and Eli, she headed out to walk down the driveway and meet Mac.

      * * *

      Unaccountably nervous, Mac made it to her place in record time. He considered himself lucky he hadn’t received a speeding ticket. She wasn’t there yet, which was good. Parking at the end of her driveway, he got out and sat on the tailgate of his truck. Though it had been a different pickup, he and Hailey had spent a lot of time sitting on tailgates. Football parties at school, summer bonfires out near the lake. Then, she’d nestled close to him, fitting so perfectly under his arm. He wished he’d been able to capture those moments somewhere other than his memory.

      They’d been perfect for each other. He couldn’t help but believe they were meant to be together. All he needed to do was help Hailey see that.

      Waiting, his heartbeat slowed, resuming its normal steady rhythm. The pine trees lining the curving drive formed a picturesque canopy while the setting sun sent golden fingers of light through their branches, dappling the pavement with flecks of gilt.

      A moment later, he saw her, strolling down her driveway toward him, and his pulse picked up again. Hailey. Everything else ceased to exist as he focused on her.

      She still walked with the loose-limbed saunter, her quiet confidence sexy, though she didn’t realize it. She wore her long blond hair in a ponytail, which swung jauntily with every step she took.

      Longing had his entire body clenching. Breathing deeply, he forced himself to relax again, to appear expressionless. Because he knew if he gave away the depths of his need and longing, she’d be frightened.

      “All right,” she drawled, by way of greeting. “What was so important that it couldn’t wait for another day?”

      He cleared his throat, and then dove right in.

      “I need to hire someone to help out with my dad.” His tone matter-of-fact, he held her gaze. “I need to work, at least part-time, and I can’t leave him alone. I was hoping you’d consider it.”

      At first she didn’t respond, didn’t say anything, only continued to watch him from those bright blue eyes of hers.

      “It’s a paying job,” he offered, deciding not to bother trying to pretend he wanted someone else to do it. “I thought I’d ask you first, since I know you could use the income.”

      She looked down and heaved a sigh. “I do need the money, but I don’t think I’d be the right person for the job.”

      He hadn’t expected her to decline. “Why not?” he pressed. “You used to want to become a nurse. You might still go to nursing school one day. This would be good practice.”

      Hurt and disbelief flashed across her