LITMIR.BIZ

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but Fort and Worth had never entered any conversation she’d had about the Calloways. “Nice to meet you, too.”

      Worth sent her a slow grin. “I didn’t know you were bringing a girl home, Houston.”

      Houston shoved a black canvas bag at Worth. “She’s not with me, and she’s not a girl.”

      “Okay, she’s a woman and I saw her get off the plane with you.”

      “Yeah, but she’s here to see Dallas about a job.”

      Worth turned his smile on Jill. “How long are you going to be here?”

      She sensed the man was an incorrigible flirt. “Only one night.”

      “Would you like to go with me to—”

      “No, she wouldn’t, Worthless,” Houston snapped. “Take our bags to my house. And tell Mom to set an extra plate for dinner.”

      Worth looked as confused as Jill felt. “I’ll drive you to your place.”

      After handing over a set of keys to his brother, Houston picked up Jill’s luggage and started toward the truck. “We’ll walk,” he said as he put the bags in the bed.

      Worth saluted. “Aye, aye, captain. I live to serve.”

      After Worth climbed back into the truck and drove away in a fog of dust, Houston turned to Jill. “I want to apologize for his behavior. He only has two things on his mind—women and chasing women.”

      Information she’d already gathered herself. “He seemed nice enough.”

      “He’s a twenty-seven-year-old teenager.”

      “A year older than me,” she said without much thought.

      “Maybe chronologically, but not on a maturity level.”

      “Does he work here on the ranch?”

      “Yeah, but he owns a yacht-chartering company on the gulf coast.”

      That explained the surfer look. “And apparently he has a twin.”

      “Yep. Fort, but he doesn’t have anything to do with any of us.”

      Interesting. “Why is that?”

      “It’s a long story.”

      One she might never know. She did have an important question involving the rest of the family. “When you asked Worth to tell your mother to set an extra plate, it made me wonder if anyone knows I’m here.”

      He looked a little sheepish. “Only Dallas, but the rest will real soon, now that Worth knows.”

      “I don’t want to inconvenience anyone.”

      “It’s not a big deal,” he said. “We have guests dropping by all the time.

      Now follow me and I’ll show you around.”

      “I’m looking forward to it.” She wasn’t exactly sure how she felt about being the surprise for the evening, or staying in Houston’s house, but then again, it shouldn’t matter. She was here on business, and she’d established that from the beginning. She didn’t believe that Houston was the kind of guy who had to be reminded of that. Besides, he’d never held her in high esteem, although he had thought enough of her to present what could be a great opportunity. Provided she got past the initial first impressions. She had a feeling this could be an interview by committee.

      They continued down a narrow paved road while Houston pointed out various landmarks, including the massive lodge in the distance, the new rodeo arena, complete with indoor and outdoor space. Then he pointed at the rock and cedar building adjacent to those facilities. “That’s the medical clinic. I’ll take you on a tour after dinner.”

      Clinic? She’d been expecting a glorified tent. “I’m pleasantly surprised. It looks top-grade.”

      “Right now it’s empty,” he said. “That’s where you come in.”

      “If Dallas thinks I’m the right fit.”

      “He will.”

      Confident much? “If I decide it’s something I want to undertake.”

      He grinned. “You will.”

      She’d learned from experience that debating with Houston Calloway would do no good, so Jill concentrated on meeting him stride for stride as they took a left turn at a bend in the road. The first of the residences came into view, a white rock and cedar single-story rambling ranch house set back from the road on their right. From the looks of the place, she guessed this place belonged to a matriarch, until Houston said, “This one’s mine,” shattering all her assumptions.

      “Wow,” she said as they headed up the driveway toward the three-car garage. She took note of the silver crew-cab truck, the typical rodeo cowboy’s mode of transportation. Admittedly she was a little stunned to see the champagne-colored Mercedes parked next to it.

      “Great,” Houston muttered. “We have a guest.”

      “Old girlfriend?”

      “Nope. New stepmom. That’s her car.”

      “Worth’s mother?”

      “Yeah. Jenny. I’ve got to warn you, she’s one of a kind.”

      “In a good way?”

      “Most of the time.”

      Jill wasn’t sure how to take that until the door opened to a woman with teased blond hair and a sunny smile. She wore a red polka-dot dress, covered by a white frilly apron that looked like a throwback from fifty years ago.

      “Come in,” she said with a sweeping gesture. “We’re so glad to finally meet one of Houston’s special friends.”

      “She’s not a special friend,” Houston corrected as they stepped inside the entry. “She’s a prospective employee.”

      “Whatever you say.” She turned her attention to Jill. “I’m Jenny, Houston’s stepmama. And you are?”

      Jill shook her offered hand. “I’m Jillian Amherst, but most people call me Jill.”

      “What a lovely name,” Jen said. “For a lovely girl.”

      “No offense, Jen,” Houston began, “but what are you doing here?”

      “No offense taken, sugar. When Worth told me you’d brought home a guest, we decided to bring dinner home to you. Dallas, Paris and the baby are on their way. Now Austin and Georgie might be along a little later because Chance just took a tumble off the fence.”

      Jill immediately launched into medical mode. “Is he all right?”

      Jen waved a dismissive hand. “Oh, certainly, sweetie. This is a daily occurrence with that seven-year-old. He’s a walking accident waiting to happen.”

      Houston finally closed the door behind him. “How long until dinner?”

      “That depends on how long it takes you to fire up the grill,” Jen said.

      Houston’s expression turned stony. “We’re having a barbecue?”

      Jen looked at him as if he’d grown a second eye. “Of course. It’s Labor Day weekend, sugar. I brought the burgers and all the fixins’ plus a few hot dogs. I even have one of those fake patties for Paris. Your mama will be here in a bit with the apple pie.”

      Funny, Jill hadn’t given much thought to the holiday. In fact, she hadn’t remembered the date when it came right down to it. “That sounds great. I’m on the road so much, I can’t remember the last time I celebrated a holiday.”

      “Well, that ends today.” Jenny waved Jill toward the lengthy hallway to the right. “I’ll show you to your room while Houston gets after that grill. Otherwise, we won’t

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