Page 48 of The Cowboy's Promise

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When Heather arrived at the restaurant she was a few minutes late, and noticed the hostess was already on the phone taking an order. Hastily moving into the small staff room, she pulled off her coat, put on her apron, and started towards the kitchen.

“Can you take a tray to one of the cabins?” the hostess asked as Heather walked by.

“Yes, sure.”

“Thanks. It’s going to Cabin Five.”

“Ooh…”

“Is something wrong?”

“Actually, no,” she said thoughtfully. “Text me when it’s ready.”

Heading into the kitchen, she moved to a quiet corner to think about what she was about to do. By the time she received the text she was ready. Taking a deep breath, she walked quickly back into the dining area, and saw the tray waiting on the bar counter. Trying to calm her nerves ,she picked it up and started for the door.

“I assume you’re delivering that to a cabin,” one of the other waitresses asked as she walked by.

“Yes, why?”

“I was in Cabin Four a couple of days ago and I think I might have lost my bracelet. I can’t find it anywhere. Can you pop in and take a quick look for me? I got here too late to check. Front desk told me the key code is 1497”

“Sure, no problem.”

“Thanks, Heather.”

Walking down the lane, though she told herself she was perfectly safe, her heart was racing. When the cabin came into view she thought about leaving the tray at the door, knocking loudly, then taking off. But fighting her fear she walked up the steps and lightly tapped.

“Heather,” Joe exclaimed with a smile. “Come in. I didn’t expect to see you.”

“Mr. Meyer, I’m not just here delivering your lunch. I want to know why you followed me.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Though Heather was shaking in her shoes she continued to stare at Joe Meyer, her eyes narrowed, silently demanding an answer.

“Follow you?” he finally repeated. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“You were parked under a tree just down from Three Oaks Ranch a couple of days ago.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Both Blake and I saw you, though of course we didn’t know it was you at the time. Then that same car—yours—followed me home. Not then, another time.”

“You must be—”

“I’m not mistaken.”

“If, and I do mean,if,I was behind you on that road it would have been a coincidence.”

“And parking under the tree? Was that a coincidence too?”

“I didn’t park under any tree,” he retorted, a frown crossing his brow. “I happen to own a popular car. There are many people who have that model.”

“Not around here. Most of us drive trucks or SUV’s. I’ve never seen a silver Hyundai—until I saw yours beneath that tree! Just tell me what you want? What’s going on? Why did you follow me, and why did you come back to Smoky Hill?”

“For the last time, I did not follow you, and why I’m here is none of your business. Heather, I’m a busy man and I don’t have time for this nonsense. You’ve done your job, you’ve delivered my lunch, now please leave.”

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