Page 1 of Cowboy Stalker
Chapter 1
Missy
I move the sticky plates to my round serving tray, loading it efficiently as the jukebox in the corner plays an old country song about a man walking a line for his true love. I hum along to it under my breath. Around me, the last few regulars are yawning and splitting their bills.
Hurrying to the kitchen, I add the plates to the sink and glance at the baby monitor.
Ernie, the cook, sees where my attention is and gives me a wink. “Still sleeping like a baby. Here, take a bite.” He nudges a plate with a monster burger already prepared the way I like it. Thanks to him, I never have to worry about packing lunch or dinner.
I was down on my luck and down to my last dollar when I stopped at Ernie’s Diner here in Courage County.
Ernie and Lorna, the owners of the best burger joint in three counties, gave me a job on the spot. They didn’t ask for references or what a single mom with a baby was doing out so late.
They helped me get a little rental property at the edge of town. It seems like something is finally going right for me, but I learned a long time ago not to trust anything good.
I manage three bites before I start unloading the industrial dishwasher. The day has been crazy. Now it’s evening, and I’m realizing how hungry I am.
“Missy, dear, can you get table fourteen for me?” Lorna comes bustling in the back with a stack of her own dishes. She sets them down and gives her husband a peck on the cheek. They must have married a long time ago. They’re so fluid in their movements, so quick to slide around each other like their time in the kitchen is a carefully choreographed dance.
I nod and take another bite of my greasy burger before grabbing the pitcher of sweet tea. The locals here are obsessed with Lorna’s tea. I’ve met most of them over the last three weeks. Everyone seems kind and friendly. If I were going to stay forever, Courage County is the kind of place I’d pick. But I’m not likely to be here forever.
Shelley made sure of that. I feel a rush of anger toward her even though I know it’s irrational. She’s dead, and I don’t think she meant to leave me with the mess she made.
I bustle out of the kitchen and toward table fourteen. It’s a booth, tucked next to the big, picturesque window. I’m so focused on my mission that I don’t notice the puddle of water on the checkerboard tile until it’s too late.
Before I can slow, my feet are sliding out from underneath me. My secondhand soles have no traction on the wet floor. Sweet tea slops over the top of the pitcher and covers my arm in sticky liquid. I tighten my grip and brace to fall backward.
But strong hands wrap around my waist. The impact I’ve braced for never happens. I clutch a fistful of flannel in my hand and look into the eyes of a cowboy with a chocolate brown gaze.
There’s something deep and soulful about his gaze. With his hands on my hips and our bodies so close, I can feel his heat. I’ve never felt so safe or so peaceful. For a second, I feel like I’ve found home.
His jaw is covered in a thick, bushy beard I want to touch. I want to know if it’s soft like I’m thinking it is. His full, thick lips with the perfect Cupid’s bow curve into a smile, revealing one crooked tooth. “Hi, beautiful.”
Heat rushes to my face, and I repeat the word. “Hi.”
“Are you OK? You almost took a tumble.” There’s something about the gentle tenor of his voice. I listen to soft meditations at night when I have trouble sleeping, and I’d love to have a recording of his voice whispering that the day is over and I’m safe now.
“Good. I’m good,” I manage in a shaky voice as my fingers tighten around his shirt like my body doesn’t want to let him go. I want to pull that Stetson off his head and run my fingers through his hair.
“That’s real good, honey,” he murmurs.
The soft rumble of approval and the unexpected pet name warms me all over. He’s looking at me like no one else has before. Like I’m precious. Like I matter. Before I can say anything, the bell above the door rings as the last of the regulars leave.
The diner is empty other than the two of us and Ernie and Lorna. That’s right. Ernie and Lorna are here. My bosses who expect me to serve the customers, not moon over them.
I squeak out, “I’ll get that cleaned up, then take your order.”
Without bothering to seat him, I turn and leave the lobby. I grab the mop and bucket from the utility closet. The entire time I’m cleaning, I can feel his gaze on me. My skin is hot and flushed, my body humming with attraction.
When I’m done mopping up the water and the sweet tea I spilled, I hurry back to his table. Lorna and Ernie are still cleaning up the kitchen. This is our last customer of the day, and I’m sure they’re eager to get him out of here.
I don’t let myself look at him again. I keep my gaze on my pad, my pen poised above it. “What do you want?”
“You.”
I look at him then, suppressing a smile. “What do you want to eat?”
He smirks.
