Page 15 of Luke

“No, thanks. We’re going to the Hartland tonight.”

“Okay. I’ll be right back, Bryce.” Luke walked out the door and trotted down the stairs then around to the diner.

He opened the door, stepped inside and nodded at people, then took a seat at the counter.

“Hey, Luke,” Connie said with a grin.

“Hi, Connie. I need to place an order for your new tenant.” Luke smiled.

“Is she up there now?”

“Yes, ma’am. She said she’d love to meet you to thank you.”

“I’ll go up tomorrow. She has to be tired. What would she like?”

Luke gave her the order, then spun around on the stool to wait. He placed his elbows on the counter behind him and glanced around. He saw Mr. Barton walking toward him with his check in his hand. He stopped beside the cash register to wait to pay his bill.

“Hi, Mr. Barton.”

“Luke, how they hangin’ son?”

Luke laughed. “Good for now. You?”

Mr. Barton shook his head. “Gravity has set in son. Enjoy it while you can.”

Luke chuckled. He really enjoyed talking with Mr. Barton. The man was in his eighties but never seemed to slow down.

“Looks like you’ll be getting that backhoe out soon,” another man said as he stopped at the register.

Mr. Barton laughed. “Gives me something to do.”

“How much are we supposed to get?” Luke asked.

“They’re calling for up to two feet,” the man said.

“Damn.” Luke hoped that it didn’t stick around. He knew Bryce was eager to get to Seattle. Damn, she was a beautiful woman. If she was sticking around, he’d love to get to know her,but she wasn’t. Just his luck.

****

Bryce smiled at Beau and gestured to the overstuffed chair beside the sofa. “Please, Beau, have a seat.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Beau sat down with a grin.

“How long have you been married?”

“Less than a year,” he replied.

“Congratulations!” Bryce exclaimed sincerely before continuing, “You and Luke seem very close.”

“We are, even though he can be a pain in the ass.” Beau chuckled.

Bryce laughed in understanding. “Siblings, huh?”

“Exactly.” Beau nodded. “Do you have any siblings?”

“A sister in Seattle.”

“Where are you originally from?”

---