Mary Baxter - Slow Talkin' Texan

Ellen counted to ten. “I hardly think my lack of curiosity about your friend qualifies me as a cadaver.”

“Well, you know what I mean.”

“Nope, sorry, I don’t.”

“Look, I know you’re not still carrying a torch for your ex.”

“Megan, what’s this all about? I’m tired. I stink. I want to go home. I want a bath.”

Meg laughed again. “You stink, huh?”

“Boy, you’re sure full of piss and vinegar today. Too bad Ralph’s not home to take some of that starch out of you.”

“We’re talking about you, not me.” Meg paused, grinning again. “I saw the way Porter looked at you.”

In spite of herself, Ellen flushed, then wished she could reach her own backside so she could kick it. “And just how was that?”

“You know.”

Ellen’s lips thinned. “No, I don’t know, and what’s more, I don’t care. For heaven’s sake, Meg, the man’s married with a baby. If he was looking at me, then he’s a cad.”

“Oh, but you’re wrong. He has every right to look at you, or any other woman he pleases. You see, he’s not married.”

Ellen frowned. “Then whose baby is that?”

“His.”

“His, but—” Ellen clamped her lips shut. This was a subject she wasn’t interested in pursuing, though Meg certainly was. Maybe if she indulged her, then she could go home and get that coveted bath.

“Right after Matt was born, Porter’s wife, Wanda, hauled ass.”

Ellen’s mouth flopped open. “You’re kidding.”

“I wouldn’t kid about something like that. The scandal stood this town on its ear.”

“What made her do such a thing?”

Meg lifted her shoulder in a shrug. “Gossip had it she couldn’t handle motherhood or being tied down, which, in my book, translates into not wanting to be married.”

Ellen shook her head, trying to take it all in. “You never know what goes on behind closed doors. Maybe there were reasons why she didn’t want to stay married to him.”

Meg snorted. “I don’t believe that for a second. She was just trailer trash when they tied the knot, and even though she married money, she couldn’t break that trashy mold.”

“You mean he has money?”

“Tons.”

“Could’ve fooled me. He looked like he shops at the nearest Goodwill. Not that there’s anything wrong with that,” Ellen hastened to add, “if that’s the best you can do.”

“Around here, jeans and boots hardly qualify as Goodwill duds.”

Ellen sighed. “Whatever.”

“Porter’s probably the richest man in town.”

“That blows my mind.”

Megan grinned. “Besides being rich, he’s the most sought after bachelor in the county.”

“Good for him.”

“Still not interested?”

“Not in the least.”

“Sure about that?”

“Deadbang sure.”

“He’s a damn good catch.

“Then let someone else go fishing.”

“cut.”

Ellen gave her a cheeky grin. “Thought so myself.”

“Of course, I’ve been told he’s sworn off women, that he’s only interested in raising his son.”

“Kudos to him.”

“Heavens, sis, you’re a hard nut to crack. Aren’t you the least bit interested in how he got all his money?”

“No, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me anyway.”

“Right.”

“Then get it over with,” Ellen said in a bored tone.

“He owns a huge farm equipment store, plus thousands of acres of prime ranch land.”

“So he’s a real East Texas cowboy.”

“And what’s wrong with that?”

“Down girl. Nothing’s wrong with that He’s just not my type, even if I were interested in a man, which I’m not.”

“I hope that creep you were married to hasn’t turned you off men for good.”

“Maybe not for good, but certainly for now.”

“You’re too young to have that attitude.”

“That’s easy for you to say, Meggy. You didn’t live with Samuel.”

Meg’s face sobered along with Ellen’s. “I know it was bad, but—”

“Let’s just say that it was far worse than even you knew.”

Meg’s face turned pale. “He...he didn’t physically abuse you, did he?”

“No, but—” Ellen broke off. “Look, Samuel’s history, and I’d rather not dredge up the past.” She forced a lame smile. “Especially when I smell like stale pee.”

Meg giggled, then cocked her head to one side. “I can understand that, although Kyle only showered me one time that I can remember.” She paused. “Seriously, you wouldn’t consider going out with Porter if he were to ask you?”

“Read my lips. No, Megan!”

Meg backed up and held up her hands. “Okay, okay. I get the picture.”

“I’m not sure you do. I don’t care how much money the man has, or how much land. He’s not my type. Besides, I have my shop, and that’s enough for me. I need to heal emotionally. Only time will tell if I can handle another relationship.”

“You’re right Sorry, I got out of line. But you can’t blame me for trying. I really like Porter, and I really like you, so—” Meg broke off with a grin.

“So it ain’t gonna happen. Babies and cowboys are not my thing and never will be.”

And with that Ellen flashed her sister a saccharine sweet smile and walked out the door.

Three

Ellen couldn’t control the smile that spread across her face, even though she still smelled like a dirty diaper. Instead of going home as planned, she’d gone to the shop.

Every time she walked inside her domain, a giddy feeling washed through her. This Sunday afternoon proved no exception.

She didn’t know why she had changed her mind and come here. Maybe it was because she had wanted to prove something to herself. Even though she didn’t have the two things in her life that most women had or coveted: a husband and a child, she was nevertheless a fulfilled woman.

Envy of others’ situations was utter nonsense, she knew. Yet she couldn’t seem to toss such feelings aside as easily as she once had, especially after today and her experience in the church nursery.

However, this morning had changed nothing, except to reenforce the fact that she had made the right decision in divorcing Samuel. Conceiving a child under those circumstances would have been a disaster.

Ellen perused the coffee shop, which was at the end of a building housing several antique shops, each unique in what it sold. Coffee, Anyone? carried that uniqueness a step further in that it had a small private courtyard attached, giving her customers the feeling of drinking and dining in an atmosphere rivaling that of an open-air French café.

She had made the most of that unusual outdoor setting by decorating it to the hilt with small tables and flowering potted plants. A wonderful fountain in the middle provided an extra touch.

The inside was no slouch, either. The shelves featured a wide range of prepackaged gourmet foods, gift items from stationery to small wedding presents, and custom gift baskets.

Of course, the drawing card was the coffee. Virtually every popular gourmet brand, with frozen cappuccino the most sought after, was served. In addition, finger sandwiches, salads and delectable desserts were on the menu.

In just six months, this second Coffee, Anyone? was as successful as the larger one she’d left behind in Tyler. A friend, who was also a savvy businesswoman, was the manager there now.

But her success in Nacogdoches hadn’t been without its price. Ellen was bone-weary from working day and night to get to this stage. There had been bumps along the way, bumps that still hadn’t been smoothed out. The equipment was one of her biggest concerns. She’d had trouble with some of the machines since day one, mainly because they were used models. Soon she hoped to replace them with new ones.