Page 6 of Rust and Stardust

Scanning my surroundings, my gaze came to rest on a small local diner straight out of the 50s. It seemed like as good a place as any to start gathering information so I could leave as soon as possible. Crossing the empty street, I made my way over, snapping a couple quick candid photos as I went. As I pushed open the door, a bell tinkled overhead, and the hum of conversation momentarily ceased. Every eye in the place turned to regard the newcomer, whose designer clothes were so out of place, and I felt my face flush under their scrutiny.

“Well, howdy there, stranger,” called out a friendly voice from behind the counter. I looked up to see a bleach-blonde woman with her hair jacked up to Jesus and a toothy smile that was far too welcoming. “What can I do for you?”

I made my way to an empty stool at the counter, acutely aware of the curious glances following my every move. “Just passing through,” I replied, trying to act casual. “Gonna be in town for a week or so and wondered if there’s anything I shouldn’t miss?”

“Well, a slice of the best apple pie in Texas for one,” she grinned, giving me a wink.

I couldn't help but smile back, her warmth infectious despite my unease. “Sounds perfect. I'll take a slice and a coffee then, please.” I bit back the inclination to ask about prices, but I didn’t want to give anyone the idea I was desperate. That would just paint a target on my back.

As the waitress bustled off to fetch my order, I took a moment to look around the diner. Most of the regulars had gone back to their conversations, forgetting me and my freshly pressed jeans. Most of them were the type of folk I’d expect in a place called Sagebrush. They were the picture of rural living, hats and plaid as far as the eye could see. However, in the back corner was a booth full of little old church ladies who were whispering excitedly as they stared at me. It looked like I was going to be the topic of conversation at their next bible reading.

“Ain't seen you 'round these parts before,” the waitress drawled as she returned with my slice of pie and a steaming mug of coffee. “What brings a city slicker like yourself to Sagebrush?”

I smiled and pulled the plate toward me. The scent of apples and cinnamon worked its way into my nose, causing my mouth to water excessively. “Work,” I managed to reply, swallowing hard. “I'm here to…” What was the lie Logan and I had come up with again? “Uh… gather some local flavor for an advertising campaign, I guess.”

She raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement playing at the corners of her mouth. “Local flavor, huh? You write for one of those big magazines or something?”

“Or something,” I nodded. I didn’t particularly want to spill my entire life story to a stranger I’d just met, but she seemed nice enough. I settled for the basics instead. “My company wants me to scout several places across the country for food festival potential. One of the executives thinks he’s got a grand idea.”

“And what do you think?” she asked.

I decided to pepper in some truth. “I think he’s the boss’s kidwho needs a project to feel useful. And his father is enough of an ass to make sure it happens no matter the cost.”

That got her laughing, and it was infectious. I found myself chuckling along with her despite myself. It felt good to relax a little after the tension of the past few days.

“Well, honey,” she said, leaning in mischievously, “if it's local flavor you're after, you came to the right place. We've got more pie per square mile than any big city I've ever seen.”

I took a bite of the pie as she spoke, and my eyes widened in surprise. It really was as good as she'd claimed. “This is incredible,” I mumbled around a mouthful of flaky crust and warm apples.

She beamed with pride. “Told ya. Now, as for things to do...” She tapped a finger against her chin, thinking. “The fair is in town this weekend. That's always a sight to see. Not to mention there’ll be food trucks from all over with everything you could ever want to eat and prize-winning barbecue champions. And if you're feeling adventurous, you could try out the pie-eating contest. Yours truly is supplying all the pies.”

“This is really good,” I smiled, taking another bite. “But I’m not gonna win a pie-eating contest.”

“Who cares about winnin’?” she laughed. “Just go for the pie.”

“Then I can spend the next month in the gym trying to work it all off.”

“Oh?” She gave me another sly grin. “You look pretty slim and handsome to me. Got someone back in that big city of yours to impress?”

I opened my mouth to reply, but snapped it shut. For a moment I almost forgot where I was. Last time I checked, Texas went red in every single election, and I wasn’t exactly looking to run into trouble. If I was going to be in town for a week or so I didn’t want any bigots chasing me or causing trouble for Logan’s family.

“Not really,” I said at last, deciding on a half-truth. “But dating’s a lot easier when you’re skinny.”

“Don’t you worry honey,” she smiled, patting my arm affectionately. “Us girls like a man with a little meat on his bones.”

I swallowed hard and pulled my arm away from her. “Uh-huh. I… uh… I’m sure they do.”

She cocked her head to the side, reading me like an open book. “I’m sure the fellas don’t mind either.”

My heart nearly hit the floor. How did she figure me out so fucking fast? I sputtered, trying to come up with a way to deny her claim, but nothing came to mind fast enough.

“Don’t you worry, baby,” she said, giving me another wink. “Some folks might not like that sort of thing, but I don’t see any problem with it. God made you just the way you are, and he doesn’t make mistakes.”

I let out a sigh of relief and smiled. I wasn’t particularly religious, but her words held no ill intent. However, before I could get another word out, the bell over the door tinkled once more, and we both turned to look.

My breath caught in my throat. It was him — the man from earlier, the one with the piercing blue eyes and the worn-out Stetson.

He strode in, all long legs and broad shoulders, his presence filling the small diner. He came up to the counter, and I finally got a good look at him. Up close I could see the blond stubble on his strong jaw, and the way his shirt stretched over his well-toned pecs that I wished I could drown in.

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