Page 26 of Mile High Mystery

“I’m at the Ranch Motel.”

“I would have thought the feds would spring for something a little more upscale.”

“We’re on a tight budget, like everyone else these days. But it’s not bad. It’s clean.” She glanced in the side mirror but saw no one behind them.

“No one’s following us,” he said. “Don’t be so paranoid.”

Instead of arguing the point, she asked, “What did you order for dinner?”

“Special of the day at the Cakewalk Café—meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans.”

“Just like Mom used to make?”

“Don’t tell my mom, but this is even better.”

He parked in front of the neat brick building with white lace curtains showing behind the mullioned windows. Inside, the older woman behind the counter greeted him with a smile. “Hello, Zach. Your order will be out in a few seconds.” Then she fixed a questioning smile on Shelby.

“I’d like to get an order to go,” she said. “Could I see a menu?”

“Of course.” The woman handed over a menu, then left.

She opened the menu, and Zach looked over her shoulder. “It’s all good,” he said. “They do a great burger.”

The woman returned. “Here you are, Zach,” she said, and handed a bag over.

Shelby returned the menu. “I’ll have the Cobb salad,” she said.

“Sure thing. You can have a seat over there to wait.” She nodded to a pair of chairs by the door.

She sat, and Zach settled beside her, the bag with his dinner in his lap. “Your food’s going to get cold,” she said.

He shrugged. “It’s all right.”

The door opened, and a woman entered. She was tall, her long blond hair in a single braid draped over one shoulder. She looked around and focused on Zach. “Well, hello there,” she said, full lips curved in a smile. She moved closer and rested one hand on his shoulder. “It’s so good to see you again.”

“Oh, hey.” He stood and set the bag with his dinner aside. “It’s good to see you, too. How are you?”

“I’m well.” Her gaze shifted to Shelby, blue eyes sharp and heavily lined with black liner. Shelby met the gaze but said nothing, even though there was no mistaking the woman’s curiosity.

“Your order’s ready.”

The woman behind the counter summoned Shelby. She paid and collected her order. When she turned around, the blonde was even closer to Zach. “I’ll see you later,” she said, squeezed his arm and left.

“She didn’t stay to eat?” Shelby asked.

Zach stared after her, looking a little dazed. “I guess not.”

“Who is she?” Shelby asked.

“A woman I met on a rescue.” He picked up his dinner and held the door for Shelby.

“What’s her name?” Shelby asked when they were on the sidewalk.

“Janie.”

“Janie what?”

“I don’t know.” He glared at her. “What difference does it make?”

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