Page 96 of Nate

“I’d like to give him something. My fist in his face.” Nate clenched his fist on the tabletop.

Markie placed her hand over his. “Maybe he won’t bother any of us.”

Nate raised an eyebrow. “Do you honestly believe that?”

“No. No, I do not. He’s vindictive. If he can stoop to stealing my mother’s pills, he could stoop to anything.”

“I agree.”

“Here you go, sweethearts. Enjoy,” the woman said as she set their breakfasts down, along with the glass of milk, then she refilled their coffee cups, and walked off to refill others.

“She reminds me of Connie.” Markie grinned.

“Yeah, with all endearments.” Nate smiled, then cut into his omelet, speared it with his fork, and put it into his mouth. He groaned. “Damn, that is good. Almost as good as Connie’s.Almost.”

“Usually, it’s these little diners that have the best food and not to mention, wonderful service.” Markie gazed out the window. “It looks like it’s going to be a pretty day.”

“Rafe joked about it snowing soon.” Nate grinned.

“I can’t wait. I love winter.”

Nate picked up his napkin, wiped his mouth and looked at her.

“You know, if someone loves winter, there’s a ninety-nine percent chance they’ve never owned livestock.”

Markie laughed. “True, but being a vet, I’m sure I’ll have to go to ranches to take care of them with snow up to my ass.”

Nate laughed. “Okay, I’ll give you that one.”

Markie leaned across the table. “You can give me anything you want. Any—” She immediately stopped when the woman appeared beside their booth.

Nate couldn’t help but laugh at Markie’s pink cheeks.

“Oh, no need to stop on my account, honey. Looking at him, I’d say the same thing if I was a lot younger.A lot younger.” She laughed and Nate did too.

“Nothing to say, Markie?” Nate asked.

Markie’s eyes narrowed as she looked at him. “Just for that, you’ll be sleeping alone tonight.”

The woman laughed again and looked at Nate. “I know she’s lying. She’s beautiful and looks like she has a temper, but she ain’t stupid. She knows she has a good man.” She winked at Markie, making her laugh.

“True. No matter how mad he makes me, I’d never kick him out of bed.”

The woman burst out laughing. “I told you she wasn’t stupid. Is there anything else I can get you two?”

Both said no and Nate smiled at her. “We want to get back on the road to get home.”

“Where is home?”

“Clifton, Montana” Markie said.

“Oh, I’ve been there. I fell in love with that place. I’d love to go back.”

“You should. The summer is filled with tourists, so you’d have to make a reservation, but I heard there’s a two-year waiting list to stay at the Clifton Bed and Breakfast and the Bur Oak Guest Ranch,” Markie said.

“I stayed at the B and B the last time. Clifton is such a picturesque town. I’d move there if I could, but I love my diner.”

“You have a great place here. It reminds us of the one in Clifton.”

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