Page 15 of Spiritwarrior

“I heard yesterday wasn’t much better,” Train derided. “All I wanted was pancakes. I ended up eating burnt toast.”

Jody’s stomach churned, remembering his own breakfast.

“They’re probably just overwhelmed with opening a new business. I’m sure it’ll get better.”

Train didn’t mince words. “If two customers overwhelm them, I don’t see it getting much better.”

Unable to come up with another explanation for the bad food, he let The Last Riders go on their way.

Before he could make another attempt to open the door, it opened again. An old man came out with an angry expression.

“We’ll see how good she does without me,” Jody heard the old man complain as he walked past him.

Damn. Silas wasn’t going to be the only one to die a bachelor with the way the diner was sinking fast.

He waited until he was sure no one else was coming out of the diner before he opened the door. The restaurant was empty. He couldn’t see the waitress, either.

Walking to the front counter, he took a seat. He had hoped the waitress would have seen him entering. He looked good, he thought to himself.

He was dressed in his nicest jeans and boots and wore a blue shirt that his sister, Ginny, had told him highlighted the blue in his eyes; Jody felt confident he would be able to sweep his soul mate off her feet … once he charmed her into forgetting the little breakup he’d had with Baylin a couple of hours before.

Jody was growing worried when he sat there for several minutes without seeing her.

When she finally came out of the back, however, she appeared startled to find him there.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you come in,” she apologized, red flooding her cheeks.

“No problem. I’m in no hurry.” He gave her a smile he had practiced in his bathroom mirror while he shaved.

Her eyes narrowed on him suspiciously. Jody didn’t take that as a good sign.

Damn. The woman was going to be a hard nut to crack.

“Can I get you something?”

“I’ll take a cup of coffee,” he ordered.

She went to the coffee machine.

Telling himself not to become discouraged, he kept his smile on his lips.

When she returned with his coffee, he took the opportunity to introduce himself. “I’m Jody Coleman. What’s your name?”

Frost covered her features as she pointed at the name on her uniform.

“You don’t look like a Rowyn to me,” he teased.

When she set the coffee cup down in front of him, Jody could see the muscles in her jaw tense.

“What’s a Rowyn supposed to look like?”

“I don’t know. Someone uppity?” Feeling as if the ground was sinking beneath him, he tried to regain his footing. “I’m just a country boy.” Jody inwardly winced at the words coming out of his mouth. “What do your friends call you?”

“Since you’re not my friend, it’s none of your business,” she told him coldly.

“Ouch.” He placed a hand over his heart. “You’re right; it’s none of my business. I was just making friendly conversation.”

“I’m sorry. I’m not having a great day. I didn’t mean to take it out on you. I just had to fire my cook. I’m not great at taking a job away from someone who needs it.”

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