On Lone Star Trail by Amanda Cabot Page A

good to me,” she agreed. “He gave me second chances at life and love. A year ago I had no idea what he had in store for Kate and me, but look at us now. We’re both married and waiting for my first great-grandchild’s arrival.”
    She gave the pastries a longing look, then cut one in two and placed the smaller piece on her plate. “After the scare with my heart, the doctor said I need to watch my diet.” Sally wrinkled her nose. “You know doctors—they’re so cautious. Speaking of which . . .” She reached over and picked up Gillian’s right hand, inspecting it as if she could see beneath the skin to the once shattered bones and torn tendons. “They did a remarkable job.”
    â€œYes, they did. I can do almost everything I did before.”
    Sally’s eyes narrowed as she traced the scars. “But you can’t play.”
    â€œNot at the professional level. Some days I can barely manage scales, but others are better. Those days I feel like a first-year student.” Gillian shrugged, as if her failure to regain full use of her fingers was insignificant. “One thing’s for sure: the days of concert stages are over.”
    â€œFortunately, the future is limitless.”
    Gillian laughed and reached for the other half of the pastry. “I told TJ you were a cockeyed optimist, and you’ve proven me right.”
    She popped a bite of pastry into her mouth and savored the combination of pineapple and almonds on top of a flaky butter crust at the same time that she regretted mentioning TJ. Sally might not be a matchmaker, but as an incurable romantic, she was always interested in a good love story. That meant Gillian would be subjected to a series of questions about him.
    â€œTJ. So there’s a man in your life now.”
    It was time for Gillian to nip the speculation in the bud. “I hate to disappoint you, Sally, but TJ’s a guest at Rainbow’s End. He’ll be gone in a couple days.” And Gillian would be gonesoon afterwards. A month from now, this trip and TJ Benjamin would be nothing more than memories.
    Though Sally was obviously disappointed by the absence of wedding bells in Gillian’s immediate future, she nodded as if she understood. “You’re planning to stay until the baby’s born, aren’t you?”
    Kate had asked the same question, insisting she and Greg were looking forward to having her as a long-term guest. Gillian gave Sally a regretful smile as she repeated what she’d told Kate. “I’m only going to be here for a week.” The physical therapist had said Gillian shouldn’t go any longer between sessions. Of course, the same therapist had told her she had achieved as much healing as she ever would, making her wonder why she would rush back for more therapy or even consider finding a therapist here if she decided to stay longer.
    â€œRoy and I have two spare bedrooms,” Sally said, ignoring Gillian’s statement the same way she’d ignored protests in the past. “We talked about it last night, and we both agreed we’d love to have you stay with us. And don’t try telling me that we’re on our honeymoon. We’re not teenagers. Besides, we’ve been married for close to a year.”
    Though Sally looked like the quintessential sweet little old lady, she did a good imitation of a steamroller when she wanted to convince someone.
    â€œThank you, but . . .”
    Before Gillian could complete the sentence, Sally raised an eyebrow. “But what? Is there a special someone waiting for you up North?”
    As Gillian shook her head, TJ’s image flashed through her brain. How silly! She wasn’t interested in him, at least not that way. If she were looking for a man—which she wasn’t—it wouldn’t be an unemployed motorcycle-riding teacher. The only reason TJ had even crossed her mind was that he was