Lone Star Valentine (McCabe Multiples) by CATHY GILLEN THACKER Page B

that they didn’t feel what they did. Because the truth was, they could have a shot at something real here—if they just allowed themselves to go forward, unhampered by fear of making yet another mistake in the romantic department.
    But she had been through a lot.
    So had her son.
    Which was why he could not walk away. Not at this moment anyway. Even if it meant he was now the fool.
    Realizing a lighter tone was called for, however, he teased, “Does this mean you won’t be my valentine?”
    Lily groaned and pressed her fingertips to her temples. “I’m not going to be anyone’s valentine, Gannon. Now or ever.”
    Knowing he still had another seven days to change her mind about the two of them remaining lovers—and more—Gannon smiled. “So noted.”

Chapter Seven
    Lily woke Monday morning wondering if she had made a mistake in telling Gannon she wasn’t prepared to be anything more than casual friends—or an occasional lover—with any man.
    He had taken it well.
    Too well.
    Promising cheerfully before he’d left her home to touch base with her in a day or so to see how things were going.
    Which could have meant anything.
    An email. A call. An unexpected visit.
    She hadn’t nailed him down because that would have meant she was interested in him romantically.
    Which, deep down inside, she knew that she was.
    She also knew all the reasons why it wouldn’t work. Gannon was “all in” his work in Fort Worth, to the point he didn’t even have time to date anyone these days. The only reason he had time to pursue her was because he was in Laramie to support his mother and see to the sale of the family ranch-land. Once Gannon achieved those two things, he would return to his ultrasophisticated life in the city.
    Her experience with Bode and the press had left her wanting to be as far from the limelight as possible. She was focused on raising her son, and wanted to be in Laramie near family and friends. Career was now secondary to her. Career was everything to him.
    Plus, once his “vacation” was over in a few days, he would be gone.
    Which was why she had to stay strong. Remain independent. And most important of all, make damn sure that she and Gannon never hurt each other again.
    So she pulled herself together, had breakfast with her son—who seemed to have recovered admirably from the confusing events of the weekend—then dropped him off at school and headed for town hall to tackle her own massive to-do list.
    Unfortunately, she had just settled down to work when her attorney called. “We’ve had some new developments in the case.”
    That was fast, Lily thought. But given her ex’s superstar status and high-profile Dallas legal team, perhaps not surprising. Connections weren’t
supposed
to make a difference when it came to the fair application of the law, but somehow they always did.
    “I’d like Gannon to sit in on our meeting, if it’s okay with you,” Liz continued.
    Actually, it was more than okay. Although it was not her style to want a man to protect her, having Gannon by her side always made her feel better. He was a top Dallas–Fort Worth area attorney, too. Keeping him on their team, even in a consulting capacity, would make the legal battle more equitable. “That’d be great,” she enthused.
    “Can you be in my office at ten-thirty?” Liz continued, sounding happy they were on the same page. “It shouldn’t take long.”
    By the time Lily arrived, Gannon and Liz were setting up in the conference room. She could tell from the sober expressions on both their faces the news was mixed, at best.
    “We heard back from the court,” Liz said, getting right down to business. “The request for dismissal was denied. The judge felt enough time had elapsed from the initial hearings on custody to warrant a fresh look at the arrangements. But the twenty-day extension to file our answer to their complaint
was
granted.”
    Which meant, Lily thought, putting on her lawyer hat, too, they had