cleaning lady, Ruth, would be coming by later. She came twice a month and did odd jobs for him. Luckey left her a note to drop by the feed store as well as the grocery store for supplies, and then he took off for the Magnolia Café.
He always felt a certain excitement when he began a new case, but driving to meet with Ally, he recognized an eagerness that had nothing to do with his work.
His pulse picked up speed when he spotted her Audi in the parking lot among at least a dozen cars with license plates from other states. The place got a ton of tourists because the food was reputed to be so good.
He walked in and was greeted by a hostess. “Your party is already at your table,” she told him. “She’s over in the south corner.”
Luckey was surprised. “How did you know?”
The woman smiled. “You’re the man with the badge. Can’t miss you.”
“Thanks,” he said.
Ally Duncan stood out from every other female in the room. This morning she’d tied her glossy black hair back at her nape with a simple leather cord. Those purple-blue eyes fringed by thick black lashes met his as he approached the table. Everything about her was classy. Her nails were manicured in a soft pink shade that matched her lipstick.
“Hi.” She smiled at him.
He sat in the chair opposite her and took in the creamy blouse she wore, covered by a sleeveless crochet vest in the same color shot with gold. “Hi, yourself. You were smart to get here early. This place is hopping.” He would have suggested a quieter spot, such as a park, for their meeting, but felt a public space would make her more comfortable.
“I remember the last time I came here, with friends. We had to wait an hour to get a table. Since I knew you were in a hurry to get going on this case, I thought I’d make sure we beat the rush.”
“Well, I thank you for your consideration.”
The waitress came to the table and poured them coffee. Ally murmured, “Go ahead and give her our orders, since you already know what I want.”
He smiled. “Chocolate-chip pancakes?”
She smiled back. “Of course.”
“Would you like some juice?”
“Sure,” she said. “I’ll take apple.”
“Anything else?”
Ally shook her head.
“Two orders of chocolate-chip pancakes, one apple juice and one glass of OJ, please,” he told their waitress.
Once she had left, Luckey was free to focus on the beautiful woman sitting across from him. She wasn’t wearing a ring. How could she still be single? If she was, it had to be by choice. Had she been wounded in the past, like he had? Was she reluctant to open up her heart for fear of being burned again? The question hung in the air. Of course, she could be in a relationship right now. Either way, he would get an answer soon, so help him.
She sipped her coffee. “If you’ll show me those papers, I’ll look over the writing and translate it for you once we’ve eaten.”
With those words he was reminded of the reason they were there. What she said made perfect sense, but his mind had been on her instead of the case. “Why don’t we eat first, then I’ll let you read from the file while I record you. It will probably be more horrifying on a second reading.”
Quiet reigned as they both drank their coffee. When she lifted her head, he saw the pained expression that had snuffed the light from her eyes.
He put down his mug. “Will it be too horrifying, second time through?”
“Horrifying and heartbreaking, Ranger Davis.”
“Call me Luckey. With an e.”
Ally cocked her head. “I thought your name was James.”
She remembered. That was something. “Luckey is my nickname.”
“Because you’re such a successful Ranger?”
He shook his head. “That’s a nice lie, but no, I inherited it when my parents named me for our ancestor. Luckey Davis was one of the original forty Rangers serving under Jack Hayes at the Battle of Bandera Pass. That name determined my destiny by osmosis.”
“Osmosis instead of genetics? I don’t think so. You’re the real deal.” She chuckled as the waitress came to the table with their food. “Shall we eat?”
They both tucked into their chocolate-chip pancakes. He darted her a glance. “I bet you didn’t eat these in China.”
“You’re right. We had several native cooks who taught me how to prepare local meals from scratch.”
“So if there’s a revolution—”
“Yikes!” she interjected, causing him to chuckle.
“—and you’re not needed as a professor,” he continued, “you could open a Chinese restaurant.”
“A mediocre one to be sure.”
“Ally Duncan? I can say in all honesty that there’s nothing mediocre about you.”
If he wasn’t mistaken, he detected a slight flush on her high cheekbones. But she drawled, “Well, Luckey Davis, it seems we’re quite an amazing pair.”
He broke into laughter, but doubted anyone noticed, because the room was filled with noise. Though they’d met on a serious matter, she didn’t take herself seriously. He liked that about her.
“How would you feel if we went out to your car so you can translate for me?” They’d finished eating. “We’re going to need the quiet.”
“That’s a good idea,” she said. He helped her up from the chair and, after he paid the tab, let her walk ahead of him as they made their way to her vehicle. He had to admit she looked terrific in her designer jeans.
Concentrate on the job, Davis. What he’d have given to have met Ally under other circumstances. He wanted to know if she was involved with another man. And after that he wanted to make plans to see her again that had nothing to do with business. But there were rules a Ranger had to follow. Luckey wanted and needed her trust while he worked on this case. Rules had to come first.
Once they were inside her car, he passed her the papers from the file and pulled out his handheld digital recorder.
Her gaze met his. “Luckey? Before we start, I want to thank you for breakfast. I enjoyed it very much.”
“So did I. Don’t forget you’re doing me a great favor. It was my pleasure.” I want to do it again and again. “When you’re ready, I’ll turn this on.”
* * *
WAS THIS A one-time happening with Luckey? Would she ever see him again? Ally wished it didn’t matter, but she was so attracted to him she could hardly think about anything else.
Taking
