Page 9 of Fastlander Fighter

Captain grabbed the tray loaded down with food, and nodded a greeting to a family of regulars at the soda machine as he passed. Table ten was outside, out from under the patio, under a big tree near the play area for kids. It was a far way off from table seven, staring at a wall.

Why was he nervous? He didn’t get nervous. Maybe he’d eaten something bad and that was to blame for the clenching feeling in his chest. All he’d eaten was a breakfast sandwich this morning though. Dang, he probably needed to eat. Today he had been slammed from the moment he opened Moosey’s for breakfast this morning.

When he strode through the open door to the patio, he looked up to see table ten and came to a halt.

Sloane was there, her back to him, but her face was slightly turned and she was smiling at a dark-haired little boy across the table and kitty-corner from her. She had her dark hair braided and pulled up into two messy buns at the crown of her head. She wore a loose-fit white tank top, with the hint of a strappy bra underneath, and dark indigo cut-off jean shorts. Her legs were crossed and her cute little feet were clad in a pair of simple flip-flops. She wore a pair of aviator sunglasses, and on the table was stretched a fan of what looked like collector shifter cards.

He cleared his throat and strode intentionally for table ten. Steady, man. It’s just Sloane.

The boy—Ruger—saw him first. He could tell because his little face went slack and his blue eyes went wide at the sight of him.

Cute kid. He had his momma’s blue eyes and hair color, but his skin was fairer and his facial features must’ve favored his dad.

The clenching sensation in his chest widened, and he frowned. Stop, he murmured internally to the bear.

Whatever the animal was doing, it was ridiculous.

“I have some food for some good eaters,” he said, and Sloane quickly turned. Her greeting smile settled something inside him.

She pushed her sunglasses up into her hair and softly said, “Hi,” with a slight stammer. “We tried to catch your attention inside, but you were really busy.”

“Yeah, it’s slammed in there today.”

He stood there for a few moments searching her pretty blue-and-green eyes, and she wasn’t blinking either. “Umm, hi,” he said to Ruger, ripping his attention off Sloane. “I’m Captain.”

Ruger lifted a card up in the air, and Captain pursed his lips against his urge to chuckle over the card of himself. Whoever had sent in his picture to the manufacturer for this card must’ve hated him. It was probably Gunner. In the picture, he wore the stupidest expression and was clearly right in the middle of talking.

“You’re a bear,” Ruger said. “You’re humongous.”

Captain glanced at Sloane, who admonished Ruger. “Be polite.”

“No, it’s okay,” Captain said, setting the tray of food between them. “I like an honest man. You know, when I was your age, I was your size. Probably even skinnier.” Captain took in Ruger’s wide-eyed look, then slid a wink to Sloane before he said, “And then I stopped eating only chicken nuggets, and I got bigger.”

Sloane backed him up. “See? What did I tell you? If you try more foods, you can grow big and strong.”

“Like a shifter?” Ruger asked.

“Like a shifter,” Captain agreed.

“Hey, Cap!” Corey called from the doorway on the porch. “Your apprentice is crashing and burning.”

“Apprentice,” Sloane said. “Is that the kid you were bossing around the other day?”

“Yep. He’ll do just fine once I get him toughened up. I gotta get going. I just…”

He lost his words, which made no damn sense because he was Captain Walker. He’d never struggled to talk to a female. Ever.

He cleared his throat. “Do you want drinks?”

Sloane looked at the table, and then uttered, “Oh my gosh. I totally forgot to order the drinks.”

“I’ve got you,” he said, oddly grateful for a job to do for them.

“Can I have an orange soda?” Ruger asked.

“Water’s good,” Sloane assured him. “We didn’t pay for soft drinks. Really, we didn’t pay for anything but the tip,” she said, looking up at Captain with an adorable lopsided grin. “I tried, but the cashier, Hallie? She wouldn’t let me. I thought the coupon was just for Ruger’s meal. I feel bad.”

“I’m the one who feels bad,” Captain said. “I still can’t believe I didn’t recognize you when you came in. Your meal is on me. Ruger, if you promise your momma you’ll try some new foods, I’ll let you get the orange soda yourself.”

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