Her Lone Star Cowboy. Debra Clopton
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one of a kind.”
Gabi laughed, “Y’all never stop.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” App boomed. Giving them a sour look, he shook his head then addressed Gabi again. “I was about ta ask you—before we were inter-rupted.” He gave them another hard look for good measure. “What’d ya find out at Jess’s place yesterday about his cattle?”
“That’s what we came to ask about, too,” Esther Mae said, turning serious. “Did you find a poisonous plant killing all his cattle?”
News sure did travel fast. She hadn’t told her Gram, so how had they all found out about this? “I was just out there looking—and before y’all get all up in a tizzy, it was only four heifers.”
Stanley looked shocked. “Four’s enough, but I heard it was more on the lines of ten.”
“I don’t know where you’re getting your information but it was only four.”
“For now,” App said, sounding dire. “I shor hope you find the plant.”
“We don’t know for certain that it is a plant. Susan suspects it from the blood work she’s seen, and wanted me to get more information on it.”
That had them all bursting into advice on the various toxic plants that they were aware of in the county. Several other people stopped by to join in on the conversation. Gabi listened, taking in every bit of knowledge she could gleam from the folks who knew this area best. It was not to be taken lightly.
They were all talking when suddenly Norma Sue elbowed Esther Mae so hard her hat slid forward. She nodded toward the parking lot and everyone, including Gabi, turned to see what had Norma Sue’s mouth hanging open. It was Jess.
* * *
Half the front lawn of the church turned to look at Jess as he walked across the parking lot. Glancing at his watch, he knew he’d hit the time between Sunday school and church services. Normally when he came, he timed it so he got there right before Adela started playing the piano and everyone was already inside the church. Today he’d rushed it just a little.
His gaze was drawn instantly to Gabi standing among the group. Her blond hair sparkled in the sun like it always did. It was the first time he’d seen it hanging free of the ponytail she usually wore and it really caught the sun this way. She was in a skirt. It was red, and swung around her calves, very feminine. He had half expected her to be in her jeans, and was surprised and pleased to see her like this. And that was the reason he was about to get himself in trouble. Because half the congregation knew what had brought him out this morning. That was the reason, instead of going into the sanctuary when Adela had clearly begun to play the piano, they were still watching him.
He was asking for trouble, stirring up talk by showing up at church for the first time all summer. They all knew why he’d come.
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