Page 2 of Cowboy Stalker
I sigh loudly, doing my best to discourage his flirting. I can’t afford the distraction of a man right now, not even this good-looking cowboy. “I’ll put you down for the special.”
“Go on a date with me.” He’s phrased it like a command, but his tone is gentle.
I start to say something, but the fluorescents glint off something metallic on his flannel button-up. The realization that it’s a badge sends ice water down my spine. I try to keep my expression neutral. “I’ll have your order out in a moment.”
I leave the table without a backward glance. The entire time I tell myself it’s not a big deal. I work at the local restaurant. It was only a matter of time before I ended up waiting on someone in law enforcement.
By the time I return with his burger and fries, I’ve managed to calm my racing heart. My hands are still clammy, but he can’t see that.
Setting the food down, I give my brightest smile. “Is there anything else I can get you?”
He nods to the booth across from him. “If you won’t go out with me, will you join me? Sit for a few minutes. I’m a lonely cowboy.”
I cross my arms. If my life weren’t so chaotic, I could see myself sitting with him. I could even see myself going on that date. “I’m not falling for that line. You’re too pretty to be lonely.”
He rubs his chest, near his badge. “You’ve wounded me.”
I chuckle. “You’ll survive.”
While he eats his meal, I finish cleaning the lobby. I wipe all the tables and refill saltshakers. The old jukebox continues to hum country songs as crooners from bygone eras sing of lost loves and Kentucky rain.
Only when the streetlamps are flickering to life does the handsome cowboy get up to pay his tab at the register. Lorna has emerged from the kitchen with her hair looking decidedly messy and her cheeks flushed.
She gives our final customer of the day a maternal smile. “It’s good to see you back again. You don’t be a stranger now, Griffin.”
He sends a pointed glance my way. “Oh, I don’t plan to be.”
Ernie leaves the kitchen. He’s stripped off his grease-splattered apron, and he’s wearing a T-shirt with an ugly Hawaiian print on it. He has the baby monitor in one hand and places it next to the cash register. “Lorna told me what the cat dragged in. I could barely believe her. Come here now.”
He grabs Griffin in a fatherly hug, thumping him on the back. “Missed you, boy.”
“I’ll be around,” he promises as he steps away. He tips his Stetson toward me. “See you soon, Missy.”
I watch him go for a moment before I shake my head. It’s crazy to be paying him any attention.
“He’s single,” Lorna says, and Ernie nods. I can already see the gears spinning in her mind. I suspect she’s planning a wedding, as if life is that easy. Meet a hot cowboy and marry him within a few weeks. That’s too much of a fairytale.
“I have my hands full,” I say firmly. I don’t know which of us I’m reminding. But it’s not smart to spend my time thinking about things I can’t have.
“Of course,” Lorna agrees a little quickly. “The lobby looks in order so you can leave early. We’ll close it out.”
I pull off my apron that’s sticky from the earlier tea spill. “Awesome. I can’t wait to get home and have a hot shower.”
Inside the back office, I glance at Daisy. She’s sleeping soundly in the portable crib that Ernie added to the room. He and Lorna have been amazing bosses. They never complain about her or make me feel like we’re a burden. One day, I’d like to be in a position where I can pay their kindness forward.
As soon as I clock out, I put Daisy in her carrier with her blue blanket. It’s the one Shelley knit for her. Back then, I thought we were closer than friends. I thought we were sisters.
I wave one more time at Lorna who is reconciling the cash from the register. At least, she’s trying to. I’m pretty sure Ernie kissing her neck isn’t helping the situation.
The moment I step into the night, the August humidity surrounds me like a thick, wet blanket. Beside my beat-up junker is a new, gleaming truck. The kind with the nice tires that cost hundreds of dollars. Something moves beside the truck, and I instinctively tighten my hold on the car seat and take a step back.
“Sorry,” a voice calls out in the darkness. I recognize that gritty tone even though we just met earlier tonight. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
My body relaxes instantly when I realize it’s Griffin. It was obvious from the way Ernie and Lorna were doting on him that he’s close to them. He’s been out here for a long time, but I don’t comment on that.
“Don’t worry about it,” I tell him as I open the back door to my car and settle Daisy inside with a few quick and efficient clicks. Being on the run means I’ve spent countless hours practicing how to get her into the car quickly. I have it down to less than thirty seconds now.
I move to the front and climb into the driver’s seat. Like in the lobby, I’m aware of his presence the entire time. I think again of how his hands felt against my hips, the way he was so strong. The look of heat that flared in his gaze.
