Relentless in Texas by Kari Lynn Dell

Author:Kari Lynn Dell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2020-03-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

The night in the van and touching base with Eddie had done wonders for Carma’s equilibrium, but seeing Gil this morning had set her off-tilt again, and not just from the rush of desire. He looked like sleep-deprived hell, which made his uncharacteristic cheerfulness even more jarring. Of course he was beyond excited about the prospect of riding again. She was excited for him.

So what was it in his smile that made danger signs flash in her head?

She was so preoccupied that when the door opened, she didn’t immediately recognize the rangy, ginger-and-gray haired man who smiled as if he was the one welcoming her.

“Hello, Carma.” Instead of offering a hand, he hooked his thumbs in his pockets and rocked onto his heels. “I’m Merle Sanchez.”

Well, duh. She should have known him from the framed photos of Merle accepting half a dozen Business of the Year plaques from the Earnest Chamber of Commerce. How many times had she studied that face and marveled at the total lack of resemblance to either of his sons?

“I wasn’t expecting you,” she blurted, then almost laughed at how many ways it was true. She had been sure she would see or feel something of Gil in him. A blander version of the same flavor, maybe, mild chili sauce versus Tabasco. Merle wasn’t even in the pepper family.

“The fish weren’t biting so I came back a few days early,” he said.

Nothing changed in his expression or his posture, no nervous twitches or shifty eyes, but with sudden, painful clarity Carma knew exactly what was on his mind.

Damn it to hell.

* * *

When Gil came back with his tablet and saw the worry lines bracketing Carma’s mouth, apprehension ran a sharp fingernail down his spine. “What’s wrong?”

“Your dad is here.”

Gil shot a look toward the main office door, now closed. “Is he meeting with someone?”

“No.”

A drawer rattled in one of the steel filing cabinets. “Why is he back so soon?”

“He said the fishing wasn’t any good.” But there were shadows in Carma’s eyes that made Gil think of wildfire smoke dimming the sun. Something was in the air, and she could smell it.

Before he had time to brace himself, the door popped open and his dad stood there, holding a cardboard box. “Gil! It’s been a while since I beat you to the office.”

“I just ran over to the house for a few minutes.”

“That’s what Carma said,” Merle said, a little too hale and hearty. “She’s really on the ball. I figured I’d have a pile to wade through when I got back, but there’s hardly a thing on my desk.”

“I was going to talk to you about that…” Gil began, but his dad kept rolling, intent on having his say.

“It’s about time y’all found someone who can keep up with you. I’m as obsolete as that ugly old coffeepot in the break room. It’s about time you put both of us out to pasture.”

No. No, no, no! Not now…

Merle gestured at the reception area while keeping his grip on the box.

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