Chapter 46

Barry noted how the cameraman had captured the look of surprise mixed with elation on his face. Then he saw the matching looks of pride and love that his cowboys sported as they gazed up at him. He swallowed and asked, “Could I have a copy of that picture, both with and without the magazine titles?”

“No problem. I’ll email them to you when everything’s sent off to the printer.” Davina turned the keyboard back to face her. Looking at Jake then Jimmy, she asked, “What made you think of doing that? Lifting Barry up I mean?”

Jake looked sheepish and Jimmy mildly uncomfortable. But Jimmy said, “Those glass trophies are Barry’s. Despite all he says, the game is down to him. But Barry’s our trophy.” He put his left arm around Barry’s shoulders and gave the man a squeeze.

Barry swallowed and sniffed away his tears. “Oh, bugger.”

Everyone laughed, thankfully dispelling the awkward moment.

Jimmy cleared his throat. “As Barry would say, I need the loo.”

“Me, too,” Jake said.

“Barry?” Jimmy asked.

Barry shook his head. “I’m good thanks.”

“Those two are amazing,” Davina said, watching Jimmy and Jake leave.

“You don’t know the half of it,” Barry murmured.

“What was all that about earlier with the old joke about toilets?”

Barry smiled, but didn’t think Jake would want his bathroom fetish to be shared with a stranger. “A couple of nights ago we visited a restaurant bathroom which had one of those new Dyson Airblade dryers and Jake was rather taken with it. Jimmy, too, I guess.”

Davina laughed. “They’re great. And they have them here, too. Or at least they do in the ladies.”

Barry groaned. “I’ll never get them out of there now.”

Davina cackled.

“We have a mud room back at the ranch. Do you know what they are?”

Davina nodded.

“Getting the men to use it rather than just coming through the front door is near impossible. I figured if I got one of those Airblade dryers and fitted it in the mud room it should increase traffic through there.”

“Great idea.”

Barry had gone online the previous night and checked out the availability of the hand dryers. He imagined they’d be uncommon in a domestic setting, but once again, Amazon came to the rescue. They were pretty darn pricey, but…And with any luck it, along with a case of dandelion and burdock soda, would be at the Double J when they got home.

Home. Barry let out a breath. He couldn’t wait to be back on the Double J with its snow-topped mountains, rich red earth, and green grass. And then there was his kitchen. He missed that most of all. He closed his eyes and pictured the yellow and white color scheme and Mrs. Pierce’s apple-themed canisters and storage containers. He dreaded to think what shape the kitchen would be in when they got back. He’d stayed in almost daily contact with Rory. All seemed to be going well as far as Barry could tell. However, Rory’s main topic of conversation was what Zane had said or done.

Poor, sweet, gentle Rory. I hope you’re not setting yourself up for a load of heartache, Barry thought wistfully.

“You okay?” Davina asked.

Barry opened his eyes. “Just feeling homesick. Still, we’ll be home in a few days.”

Just then, Jimmy and Jake emerged from the bathroom, all smiles.

They finished their coffee and called for the check. When it came, Jimmy and Jake argued with Davina

about paying it.

“We were kidding when we asked if you were paying,” Jake said.

“But I wasn’t when I said it was going on my expenses,” Davina returned.

Jake made to grab the check but Davina was faster and slipped it down her blouse.

“I know you wouldn’t dare go there,” she challenged.

“And to think I was starting to like you,” Jake said, crossing his arms over his chest.

“You might have Barry wrapped round your little finger, but I’m not so easily charmed.”

Jimmy snorted. “You totally got that the wrong way round.”

They put on hats and coats and went to the register, Jimmy and Jake still insisting on paying, but Davina told the member of staff to ignore the comments from the peanut gallery. She paid, collected her receipt and they were outside on the sidewalk before Jake and Jimmy knew what had hit them.

“You two’ve met your match with her,” Barry observed as they watched Davina stride out into the roadway to hail a passing taxi.

“Damn bossy women,” Jake groused, though he was sporting an impressed smile.

* * * *

It had been a full day, Barry mused, snuggling between his two cowboys.