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“What are you fixing?”
“That’s the thing. What are you in the mood for?”
Loaded question. At the moment, he had his mind set on more of Cassie.
“Why are you asking me?”
“Thought I’d fix one of your favorite dishes.”
It occurred to him that Laredo was up to something. “Again. Why?”
Laredo laughed. “Can’t put anything past you. Thought maybe you’d like to go to the grocery store with me. It’s the best place to meet women.”
Mike didn’t want to meet anyone other than Cassie.
“I’ll pass,” Mike said with her image in his mind.
“Well, thing is, I need a ride.”
“What’s wrong with your truck?”
“It’s due for inspection and tire rotation. I thought I’d leave it at the dealership for the afternoon. Can you pick me up at the Dodge place?”
“Now I get it. You’re trying to bribe me with food.”
“You’re a big man. I figured I’d appeal to your appetite.”
Mike glanced at his watch. Nine fifteen. He still wanted to call Cassie. “What time?”
“Noon. That gives us plenty of time to decide what we want. How about filet mignon?”
His mouth watered. A little sizzle in the pan and a steak was perfect. Laredo made vegetables in the same spicy sauce he used to marinate the meat. Mike could almost taste it. Noon. That gave him plenty of time to work up the courage to contact Cassie.
Agreeing to pick up Laredo, Mike ended the call and braced his palms on the kitchen counter. He stared at his cell, his stomach in knots. What the hell was wrong with him?
He liked her. She touched a place inside him he’d never allowed anyone to get close enough to tap before. His track record had been a lot like Laredo—love ’em and leave ’em before they had a chance to get attached.
Attached? Wasn’t he putting the cart before the damn horse? There was and would be no attached. He’d never had a long-term relationship and didn’t want one. He knew better than to be emotionally vulnerable to a woman. That lesson had been drilled into him by watching his father.
***
Mike walked with Shep out of the open bay door. Sun glinted off red metal, so shiny he could see his reflection. If paint could be washed off a vehicle, the quint would be bare.
“Laredo!” Shep shouted to be heard over the radio.
Laredo turned around. Seeing the Captain, he tucked a rag into his back pocket. “What’s up, Cap?”
“I think it’s clean.”
Laredo gave one of his sheepish grins.
“Got a new guy coming early before the next shift. Need you to show him around.”
“Sure thing, Cap.” Laredo climbed into the quint with a bounce in his step.
“You’d think that truck was his pride and joy,” Shep said and shook his head.
“It is,” Mike answered.
