Page 42 of Nate

“Oh, no thank you. Doc Mac brought me a salad back.”

“Okay. I’ll see you in a while.”

Markie walked toward Nate, and he opened the door for her to go, then he followed her. She smiled when he moved around to the outside of her, then he took her hand in his as they strolled toward the diner.

“I can smell the burgers from here,” she said.

“Me too. I wasn’t planning to have lunch here today, but I had to make a trip to town and when I passed the hospital, I thought I’d ask you to lunch.”

“You could not have timed it better.”

When they reached the diner, he pulled the door open for her and they entered the restaurant. She chuckled when people who knew them waved or called out.

“Booth, table, or counter?” Nate asked.

“Booth.”

“Alright.” He took her hand again and led her through the tables to an empty booth. Once she slid onto the bench, he did the same on the opposite one. He removed his hat and hung it on the hook on the side of the bench, then raked his fingers through his hair.

Markie clenched her fists to stop from doing the same thing. The scruff on his face was so sexy.

“Are you ready to order?” the server asked.

“I’ll have my usual, Lanie. Markie, are you ready?”

“Yes.” She gave her order to the server.

“I’ll be right back with those.”

“Thanks, Lanie,” Nate said, and Lanie smiled at him.

“She has to be related to Deidra and Rissa.”

“Yep, Lanie is the youngest sister.”

“She’s as beautiful as they are.” Markie cocked her head. “Was this an unplanned trip to town?”

“Not really. I had to put a help wanted card on the corkboard in The Feed Store.”

“So, the ranch is hiring?”

“We need another ranch hand. One of the guys hasn’t shown up in days and we finally heard from him. He quit. We have way too much to do, so I have to hire someone.”

“He just quit?”

“Yeah. He sent one of the ranch hands a text. It’s obvious he doesn’t want the job.”

“Did anyone try calling him the first time he didn’t show up?”

“Yes, but he ignored calls and texts. I guess he finally figured out he didn’t want the job.” Nate sighed.

“I hate that you have to replace him. It’s hard finding good help.”

“You got that right. A lot of young men think that’s what they want to do… until they do it.”

A few minutes later, Lanie set the plates on the table.

“Do you need anything else?”

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