Thunderbolt over Texas by Barbara Dunlop Page A

wonder if she meant it.
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    When Katie found out Sydney was still checked into the hotel in Wichita Falls, she offered to drive her in to pick up her suitcase. The rental car was down for the count, and it was looking as though they’d need a tow truck to retrieve it. Exorbitantly expensive, but the drive alone with Katie seemed like a perfect opportunity to go all moony-eyed over Cole.
    Not that it was such a huge stretch. That man could kiss like there was no tomorrow. She still got a little flushed thinking about it. In fact, she was hoping for an excuse to do it again. Soon.
    The next morning, Katie’s pickup truck bumped over the ruts of the ranch’s access road.
    â€œThat’s Grandma’s house at the top of the hill,” she said. “Kyle and Cole’s dad grew up there. Kyle and Cole, too, for a while. But after the boys were born, their dad built the house where we live now.”
    â€œCole mentioned his parents had died.”
    Katie nodded, gearing down to negotiate a series of potholes. “Light plane crash.”
    â€œOh, no.” A pain flashed through Sydney’s chest, her mind going back to the horrible day when she’d learned her own parents had been killed in a house fire.
    â€œCole was in the plane,” Katie continued. “He was the only one who lived.”
    â€œWas he all right?”
    â€œCuts, bruises, broken ribs. He was really lucky.”
    â€œBut he lost his parents.” And he had at least one scar to remind him. She was glad now she hadn’t asked him about it.
    Katie nodded again, keeping her gaze fixed on the road. “He’s a good man, Sydney.”
    â€œI know he is.”
    â€œHe’s been through a lot.”
    â€œYes, he has.” Sydney understood better than most the horrible pain of losing your parents.
    Katie cleared her throat. “I can understand…”
    Sydney turned to try to gauge the odd tone of Katie’s voice.
    â€œI can understand that you might be tempted to, uh, romance the brooch from under—”
    â€œKatie!”
    â€œI’m not judging you. I have a sense of how important it is.”
    â€œI would never —”
    â€œLike I said, I’m not judging. Women make choices all the time.” Katie glanced at Sydney, a mixture of pain and awkwardness in her eyes. “I just don’t want to see him hurt again.”
    Sydney frantically shook her head. “I’ve been completely honest and up-front with Cole.”
    â€œI saw how he looked at you.”
    â€œAnd I like him, too, Katie.” Sydney’s stomach clenched with guilt.
    â€œHe’s falling for you.”
    â€œMaybe. I don’t know.” Sydney had to remind herself that she was being honest with Cole. She wasn’t conning him, and she wouldn’t hurt him.
    â€œI don’t know where this is going,” she told Katie honestly. “But I won’t lie to him about my feelings. I promise you.”
    â€œHe’s a good man,” Katie said in a quiet voice.
    â€œHe’s a very good man,” Sydney agreed. “And he’s lucky to have you.”
    Katie cracked a small smile.
    Sydney reached out and touched her shoulder. “I’m serious, Katie. You are a terrific sister-in-law. Cole knows full well that I want the Thunderbolt. If anything happens between us, we’ll both go into it with our eyes wide open.”
    Katie wiped her cheek with the back of her hand, giving Sydney a watery smile. “So, you think there might be a chance for the two of you?”
    Sydney took a deep breath, turning back to the wind-shield as she chose her words. “I think Cole and I are going to have a very interesting relationship.”
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    Sydney’s answers must have satisfied Katie, because at the end of the day, Katie suggested stopping at her grandmother’s for dinner. She said Saturday night was traditionally for family, and a perfect opportunity