Harlequin Love Inspired July 2018--Box Set 2 of 2 by Rebecca Kertz

Author:Rebecca Kertz
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2018-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

Travis looked up and down Southwest Frank Phillips Boulevard, assessing the storefront shops of Bartlesville. “They have great steaks at the Oklahoma Rose in Timber. Locally sourced beef. Why Bartlesville?” he asked AJ.

He stopped in the middle of the sidewalk as the answer to his own question poked him straight in the gut. “You don’t want to be seen with me.”

“We’ve discussed this before. It’s not you. It’s me. I’m trying to head off the rumor mill. I’ve been through this one too many times. I thought you’d understand. After all, you’re the one who made me drive you to Pawhuska when you were hurt.”

He sighed. “Yeah, I get that, but I don’t like the idea that two friends have to hide the fact that they’re sharing a meal. You’ll sit in the office and drink coffee with me and talk for hours but you won’t ever let me buy you a cup of coffee at the Timber Diner.”

“What do you want me to say, Travis?”

“Nothing. I’m annoyed, I’ll admit. Except there isn’t much I can do about it until you stop worrying about what people think.”

Laughter spilled from her lips. She cleared her throat and put a hand to her mouth.

“What’s so funny?”

“I hate to beat a dead cliché, but isn’t that…you know…the pot calling the kettle black?”

“It’s different. I’m not ashamed to be seen with you.”

“I never said that,” she huffed.

“No, you didn’t,” Travis said, already weary of the subject. “Let’s not argue. Okay?”

She nodded.

He offered a conciliatory smile that she returned. “I sure hope you’re going to make the round trip to Bartlesville worth my while by eating like a starving wrangler.”

“I can eat my weight in steak. Anytime and any day. And I’m looking forward to a baked potato with all the trimmings.” She sighed. “I’ll have you know that I haven’t eaten all day in preparation.”

“You need to get out more often. No need to starve yourself.” He pulled open the glass door of the restaurant. “By the way, you look lovely. More than lovely.” He glanced down at her patterned blue sundress and heels. “AJ Rowe ought to wear dresses more often.”

“Thank you,” she murmured. “My new roommates refused to let me out of the bunkhouse in my jeans.”

“Remind me to give them both a raise.”

“Oh, I will, I will.”

He turned to find AJ peeking up at him through her dark lashes.

“What?” he asked.

“You look nice, as well. I’ve never seen you in anything besides Wranglers.”

“If we’re telling truths, you can blame Tripp.”

“Tripp gave you fashion advice?”

“Unsolicited, even,” Travis said. “You have no idea what I put up with between him and Dutch.” As he spoke, his gaze assessed the crowd. “Pretty busy place, huh?”

“Friday night. It’s date night.”

Date night. He liked the sound of that. It had been a long dry spell since his last date. Nearly five years. Even he couldn’t believe that. Five years was a long time to be gun-shy.

Oh, he talked a good show. Two friends having dinner.

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