The Mane Attraction
Page 33

Sissy lifted her head, and her gaze traveled up a long, powerful body wearing worn jeans, a worn T-shirt, and not much else. But when Sissy saw that face, she grinned. Holy shit. Dee-Ann?
Figures, Dee-Ann sighed. Ive killed my own damn cousin. Mommas gonna have a fit.
Laughing, Sissy grasped Dees hand and let her first cousin drag her to her feet. Dee-Ann was her cousin twice over. Her mother, Darla, was Janie Maes sister, and her father, the infamous Uncle Eggie, was the older brother of Bubba Smith. She was three years older than Sissy, but theyd had some very good times back in the day.
Well, dont get any ideas. You are not in my will.
Damn. I had it all planned out, too.
The pair hugged, and Sissy let out a relieved breath. Dee, I didnt know you were home.
Only been back a couple of days. Im out for good now, Sissy, she finished on a murmur.
Sissy tamped down her desire to grill her cousin on how she felt and instead said, Well, darlin, you missed the wedding of the century.
So I heard. I am real sorry I missed it.
Dont worry. Bobby Ray understands.
Together they walked back to the main road, and Sissy glared at the still running Camaro. And you have the nerve to be tooling around town in my car.
Oh, no, no, no. Dee shook her head. Dont even try it. I won this car fair and square. Besides, I look much better in it than you ever did.
I still say that race wasnt fair.
Ignoring you, Dee stated flatly. Of course, she stated most things flatly.
Sissy laughed, giving her cousin another hug. Take me into town, bitch, she said as she walked around to the passenger side.
All right. But you owe me from where your big, fat head dented my drivers side door.
Maybe if you werent speeding.
Hands slapping against the roof of the car, Dee stared at her. You didnt say that. Those words didnt come out of your mouth.
Sissy gave her most innocent expression. Why, cousin, I dont know what you mean.
The waitress placed another hamburger with fries in front of him and stepped back.
Anything else?
His mouth filled with food, Mitch held up his empty glass.
More milk, she said. Got it. Grabbing several empty plates, the waitress let out a little sigh and gave a small shake of her head before she walked away.
Why everyone was staring at him, Mitch didnt know. He was hungry, dammit; that didnt make him a freak.
As he dove into his seventh Smithtown Diners Mighty Burger,the rumbling sound of a modified muffler caught his attention, and the sweetest cherry-red Camaro tore past the big front window of the restaurant. Tires squealed, and the car returned, practically diving into the empty space right in front.
He really shouldnt have been surprised when Sissy laughingly stumbled out of the passenger side, nor when the waitress placed his milk-filled glass down and said, Oh, Lord. Here comes trouble.
There you are! Sissy said as she walked into the diner, another woman right behind her.
Mitch had to admit he liked how Sissy walked into a room. Every male became instantly aware of her. But Sissy either never noticed or she went out of her way to never notice. Mitch didnt know, but he enjoyed how oblivious she seemed, annoying every male in a thirty-foot radius.
She pulled out a chair and dropped into it. Next time when you leave the house, why dont you just wear a big bulls eye on your chest?
What does that mean? he asked around his burger.
Im trying to protect your dumb ass, and you go wandering off.
You werent fulfilling my needs, he said simply. And I have big, demanding needs.
Youre a glutton, she snapped and took a fry off his plate. He snarled at her, but she only snorted. And stingy.
I dont share.
Get over it. Taking more friesand risking her hand in the processSissy motioned to the woman who had come in with her and who now sat in the chair across from Mitch. This is my cousin, Dee-Ann. Dee-Ann, this is Mitch Shaw. Hes a cat and my personal pain in the ass.
Hey, Dee-Ann mumbled while she looked around the diner. Mitch immediately noticed that look. He used to have it himself until he learned to be more subtle about it. This was a wary, un-trusting woman. With one look, she probably could tell him every exit in the room, who she thought would be the most trouble, and what her escape plan would be if someone who made her nervous came through the front door.
Dee-Anns hair was darker than Sissys and much shorter. Her eyes were a bright yellow, and her body made Sissys look almost petite. She was blatantly strong and sported scars that didnt come from claws or fangs.
She just got back from overseas, Sissy told him, and her eyes made everything clear.
Sissy twisted in her chair and looked over at the counter. SammySammy Ray!
Mitchs eyes crossed at her screams, and he glanced at her cousin only to see that Dee-Ann didnt even seem to notice.
What? Sammy Ray yelled back. It was like the Smith family had only one volume level.