Page 4 of Cowboys at Coconuts

“Peaceful is the right word. You can hear the crickets and birds. Heck, you can almost hear the flies. Owls hoot at night and coyotes howl. I couldn’t live anywhere else.”

Her eyes widened. “Coyotes?”

Cole laughed. “They won’t bother you. We have to watch our newborn calves and other small animals. We also have snakes and the occasional mountain lion. Black bears are moving into the area, too.”

She nodded and shivered. “Wild animals? That sounds dangerous.”

“Not any crazier than New York, I imagine.”

“Touché.”

Glancing at her Rolex, she adjusted the setting to Central Standard Time, and slid the watch face underneath her wrist, far out of his sight. Her belly growled. “Guess I am hungry.”

“You don’t look like you eat much. We can fatten you up here in Missouri. “Do you like Cracker Barrel?”

“Cracker what?”

“You’ll love it. Let’s go.”

Chapter 6

As they reached the restaurant, Cheri noticed the parking lot was packed. “Doesn’t anyone drive cars in this town?” she asked, amazed at the number of pickups.

Cole laughed. “We do like our trucks. They come in handy.”

“For what?” she asked.

“Haulin’ stuff.”

Cheri wondered what he hauled but didn’t ask. Once inside, she marveled at the old-time artifacts and photos on the walls. Cole explained how some of the antiques were used on farms for pulling horses and buggies, branding cattle, or churning butter. Cheri felt as though she had landed on another planet in another time. A much earlier, simpler time.

She studied the menu and frowned. “Everything is fried.”

“They probably have salad but a little fried food won’t kill you.” He rubbed his belly. “It’s delicious.”

“But not exactly healthy.”

Cole shrugged and ordered fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, and corn bread.

Cheri’s eyes widened. “That’s over a day’s worth of calories.”

“Who’s counting?”

She giggled, decided to splurge, and ordered a vegetable plate with pinto beans, a baked sweet potato, green salad, and cornbread. “Look, they have a kale salad.”

“Kale?” He winked. “Don’t they line salad bars with that stuff?”

Cheri giggled. “This one has too many calories anyway.”

As she continued to study the menu, a waitress appeared to take their orders. With her pen poised over a pad, she glanced at Cheri. “You get a fourth item.”

Cheri studied the menu. “What do you recommend?”

The waitress pointed toward the sides. “Okra.”

“What’s that?” Cheri asked.

Cole leaned across the table. “You’ve never heard of okra? What do you eat in New York?”

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