After Tex by Sherryl Woods

rustling Tex’s cattle, she’d failed him. He’d guessed that years of silent doubts had added up at last. Even with him understanding that, the pain of her turning on him had been worse than sitting in a jail cell in which he didn’t belong.
    She turned and met his gaze. “So, how did you happen to be so handy just when Tess needed an attorney?”
    â€œMy office is next door to the general store.”
    Megan grinned. “Was that an in-your-face decision aimed at Mrs. Perkins?”
    He shrugged. “Could have been,” he conceded, though no one beside Meggie had guessed it.
    â€œWasn’t that the old barbershop?”
    Jake nodded. “When Pete died, the space sat empty for a year. When I got back to town, it seemed to make sense to set up my practice right on Main Street.”
    â€œWere you able to get the smell of that awful shaving cologne out of the place?” she asked, nose wrinkling in disgust. “You used to be able to smell it half a block away.”
    â€œI think it’s gone. Want to check it out?” The invitation was casual enough, but his tone turned it into a challenge. He could see her struggling with herself—stubborn resistance versus innate curiosity.
    â€œSure. Why not?” she said eventually.
    Her response proved that the old Meggie hadn’t gotten entirely lost in all the glitter and glamour of her new life. He took hope at that.
    â€œYou coming, Tess?” he asked as he stood.
    â€œGeez, I’m surprised you remembered I was still here. The two of you have been making goo-goo eyes at each other ever since we sat down.”
    Jake laughed. “What do you know about goo-goo eyes?”
    â€œI used to watch a lot of old movies after Tex went to bed,” she said. “You learn things.”
    â€œNone of them good, from what I’ve heard coming out of your mouth,” he admonished. “Maybe you ought to switch to reruns of The Brady Bunch. ”
    â€œOh, yuck,” Tess said. “Were those people for real?”
    â€œReal, no. But they were trying to make a family work,” Jake responded. “It might give you some ideas.” He glanced at Megan. “You, too.”
    Megan frowned at him. “If I conclude we need family counseling, I don’t think you or the Bradys are the people I’ll turn to.”
    â€œIt was just a thought.” He headed for the register to pay their bill, then went outside to join Tess and Megan on the sidewalk. “This way, ladies.”
    â€œNot just yet,” Megan said, her gaze focused on the general store. “I think I’ll drop in and pay a visit to Mrs. Perkins.”
    â€œYou’re really going to tell her off?” Tess asked, clearly still skeptical.
    â€œLet’s just say she won’t be messing with you again anytime soon,” Megan declared. Shoulders squared as if she were going off to battle, she marched straight into the store.
    â€œWell, come on,” Tess said, grabbing Jake’s hand and tugging. “I’ve got to see this.”
    They entered the store with its crowded shelves andwide-plank wooden floor just in time to hear Mrs. Perkins greet Megan with enthusiasm.
    â€œIt’s been too many years, young lady. We thought you’d forgotten all about us,” the woman said. “I’m real sorry it had to be under these circumstances that you finally came back. Your granddaddy was a good man. I always thought he’d have been better off if he’d had a woman out there at that ranch to look after him and a son to take over for him in his later years, but after your grandmama died he didn’t seem inclined to marry again.”
    Obviously she’d had herself and Lyle in mind for the positions, Jake concluded. Tex had been wise enough to avoid all the snares she’d laid for him.
    Mrs. Perkins glanced over and caught sight of Jake and Tess. Her lips turned down. “Of course, I