He kept her hand tucked into his and slowed his pace to match hers as they made their way to the restaurant. He bypassed a long line extending from the hostess podium, through the foyer, and around half the building. “This is why I made reservations. We would have been standing here for hours.”

“Judging from the line, it must be a good place.” She was amazed that she even had a voice, the way his touch kept sending little heat bursts through her body. It must be because she hadn’t dated in so long—two or three years—that he was having that effect on her. Or maybe that little ponytail and his swagger gave him the bad-boy air.

“It’s my favorite,” he said.

“Do you bring all your first dates here?”

He squeezed her hand as they went through the foyer and into the restaurant. “Of course I do. Aren’t we here?”

It was a vague answer, but then, she’d been fishing in waters that were none of her business. She could feel every woman in line, plus the hostess, sizing him up, so there was no way this could be him just getting back into the game now. And it was a first date for them, so she had absolutely no right to be jealous—but she was, and more than a little bit.

The hostess seated them at a corner table for two and gave them two menus. “Carrie will be your waitress tonight. Have a lovely evening.”

“Thank you.” Payton picked up the menu, ran a finger down one side, and then laid it aside. “I don’t know why I even look at it. I always order the same thing. The sampler platter with extra rice, because I can never make up my mind between enchiladas, tacos, or quesadillas.”

She didn’t even open the menu, but nodded. “Then that’s what I’ll have, too. Are their margaritas good?”

“Very, and they go down smooth with the Mexican food.”

“Then that’s what I want.”

“So how long were you married?” he asked.

“How long were you?” she shot back, not wanting to lie, but not willing to tell the absolute truth.

“Fifteen years. My daughter was fourteen when her mother died. That’s about Brook’s age, right? Alison is twenty-four now, second year of teaching biology here in Tyler.”

“I met Brook’s father on the first ranch I worked at. He boarded some of his prize stock with us, and the owner of the ranch assigned me to take care of them. We lived together for a while and then I got pregnant. It’s complicated.”

He reached across the table and laid a hand over hers. “Life is, but we don’t have to go into that tonight.”

“We were never really married,” she blurted out and wished she could stuff the words right back into her mouth. “He was divorced, and he’d vowed he’d never marry again. I thought he’d change his mind when the baby was born. He thought he could change mine about even wanting a real marriage. So we lived together for four years, and then he cheated on me one too many times. I don’t know why I’m tellin’ you this. Brook and my mother don’t even know that.”

“Sometimes talkin’ to strangers is easier than friends and family. And when the time is right, you’ll tell your family the whole story. I don’t think Brook liked—” He stopped midsentence and waved at a tall lady coming toward them.

“Hi, kid, what are you doin’ here tonight?” he asked.

“I might ask you the same question,” she said as she bent to hug him.

“Dana, this is my daughter I’ve been tellin’ you about. Alison, meet my date, Dana. Dana, my daughter, Alison,” he said. “Is this your night out with the girls?”

“That’s right.” Alison stared at Dana without blinking. “You didn’t mention that you were going out tonight.”

“Nope, I didn’t. Is this your sorority sisters or your teaching friends?”

“Sorority sisters. Remember, we always get a table here once a month,” she said and then asked, “So where are you from, Dana?”

“Presently, I live at the lake and run a little resort there. I hear you are a teacher.” This must be the way Payton had felt when Brook gave him the third degree.

“Yes, I am a teacher. We’ll talk later, Daddy. Pleased to meet you, ma’am.” Alison’s tone did not match the words coming out of her mouth.

“Well, I guess we’ve met each other’s daughters. That step is over,” Payton chuckled.

The waitress brought salsa and chips to the table and asked if they were ready to order. Payton nodded toward Dana.

“I’ll have the sampler platter and sweet tea with a margarita on the side. Please leave the onions off everything.”

“I’ll have the same, only I want a bottle of beer instead of the margarita, and bring us some jalape?o poppers with our drinks,” he said.

“Have your drinks and the appetizers right out,” she said and was gone in a flash.

“That step?” Dana brought him back in.

“What step?” he asked.

“You said that step is over. Does that mean you see more steps?”

“Yes, I do. I like the way I feel with you, Dana. So if you’re willin’, I’d like for you to put me on your calendar for a second date,” he said.

“How about a s’mores night on Friday evening? If it’s not rainin’, we can make a bonfire.” She might as well jump in with both feet and see if this tingle she’d felt was a passing thing or if it was truly something to build on.