public displays of affection. Her mother had pounded that into her head before she even realized what PDA meant. All it took was one hand held, one innocent kiss to make tabloid headlines.
His forehead creased in question. But instead of answering, she raised her hand to her mouth, hid a yawn behind it.
“Tired?” Cash bumped her shoulder with his, the casual gesture somehow more intimate than handholding.
“A little. I’m not used to doing a lot of physical work.”
Several people’s stares lingered on her, making her uneasy. Surely they wouldn’t recognize her. She decided the best strategy was to smile and otherwise ignore them. After all, who’d expect to see the granddaughter of one of the country’s wealthiest men dressed in jeans here at Bubba’s Roadhouse? Very unlikely anybody would put two and two together. Still, jitters played tag in her stomach.
Once they sat down, though, she relaxed.
The waitress, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt like most of the customers, plopped two menus in front of them. “Hey, Cash.” The redhead sent him a blinding smile. “Haven’t seen you for a bit. Where ya been keeping yourself?”
“Busy at the ranch, Mitzy. How’ve you been?”
“Doin’ okay. Same thing every day, you know?”
“Yeah, well, keep those big blue eyes of yours open.” His gaze moved to Annelise. “You never know when something’s gonna drop in that’ll shake your world.”
Annelise fought the heat rising in her face again. Had he meant her? Had she shaken his world? No. Maybe. A silly smile threatened.
“What d’ya want to drink?”
“I’ll have a Lone Star. Ice-cold. How about you, Annie?”
“You know, I think I’ll have one, too.” Something inside her quivered in delight. Here she was, sitting in a small Texas barbecue, having a beer. And she intended to drink it right out of the bottle. Not a camera or paparazzo in sight.
She grinned.
Cash’s brow rose, and he grinned back at her. “Something’s rattling around in that pretty head of yours, ’cause the look on your face is pure mischief.”
She laughed. “No. I’m just…just feeling good.”
Now, both his brows shot up. “After the day you put in?”
“Yes, even after today, manure shoveling and all.”
Mitzy returned with their beers and pulled an order pad from her blue apron’s deep pocket. Annelise couldn’t help herself. She checked for a wedding band. None there. Was their oh, so friendly waitress this free and easy with all the customers? Or did she pour it on a little thicker when Cash came in?
None of her business.
“So, what’s it gonna be tonight?”
After some haggling, they decided to share a pizza—loaded.
“Cook’s got a couple before you, so it’ll be a few minutes.”
“That’s okay. We’re in no hurry,” Cash said. “We’ll sit here and relax.”
“Speak for yourself.” Annelise patted her stomach. “I’m starving.”
“How about I bring you a basket of rolls? That hold ya?”
“That would be great,” she said. “Thanks.”
When the bread basket arrived, Annelise all but pounced on it. The rolls were soft and warm and yeasty-smelling. Enjoying half of one, Cash stood and walked over to the jukebox. Her brows furrowed when he dropped in some quarters, then crooked a finger at her.
She pointed at herself and mouthed, “Me?”
He nodded.
“Cash.”
“C’mon. Dance with me. It won’t hurt. Promise. And it’ll give us something to do while we wait for dinner. Take your mind off that empty belly.”
The music started and she smiled, recognizing the George Strait song. It had played on the Caddy’s radio on the way here. Not something she’d dance to at one of her parents’ galas. Nicer. Better. Earthy and down-home.
Despite herself, she stood and strolled over to him. When he took her hand, electricity tingled clear to her toes. She pulled back.
“What is it?” His brow creased. “Your hands. I’m sorry.” His own dropped to his sides.
“No!
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