Page 40 of Wine and Research
Jeremy was impressed by the kid and the way he handled the older man. Adopting the same attitude, he decided not to issue Mr. Willard a ticket for making a nuisance call. Instead, hewrote down the number for county assistance and encouraged the older man to call to see if there were any programs that could help him.
Since it was lunchtime and he was back on Main Street, Jeremy went to Gabe’s for lunch.Out of convenience,he told himself. It had nothing to do with the fact Elle was serving there today. But the place was packed with a busload of people, and the only seat available was at the counter, where Gabe took his order. As Jeremy waited for his smokehouse burger and fries, he watched Elle working her tables with efficiency and grace, often stopping to chat with people, including a thirty-five-ish, pretty-boy male in a suit, sitting alone.
His food arrived, so Jeremy ripped his attention from Elle and focused on his lunch. It was no business of his who she talked to or smiled at. But as he ate, he wondered how he’d feel if she were seeing other people.
A prickling sensation spread across his shoulders, and his chest tightened.
Well, hell…
The answer to that was clear… and annoying.
Last month, if his buddies had told him he’d be this drawn to, baffled, and wild about a woman, he’d have laughed in their faces. And if they’d told him it would be Elle, the exasperating author, he would’ve claimed them certifiable. But he felt like he was in a damn downward spiral and plummeting fast.
He finished his food without tasting it, and when dispatch called, he sent a silent thank you to fate, and answered his radio. Even though Gabe was waving him off, Jeremy dug in his pocket to pay for his lunch.
“You know your money’s no good here,” Gabe said.
Between this uniform and his Army issue, he’d had more free meals than necessary. Times were tough for everyone. Mr. Dillard could attest to that.
Jeremy nodded but threw the money on the counter anyway.
“Don’t know why you young ones are so stubborn,” Gabe mumbled, grabbing the money as he cleared the counter.
Jeremy grinned. “We get it from our dads.”
Ryder certainly got it from Gabe. Nico got it from his father, Ben and his brothers from their dad. And although Scott was raised by his grandmother, he more than likely inherited his stubborn streak from his father, too.
Jeremy definitely got it from his dad, something his mother was quick to point out over the years. He wore it as a badge of honor.
Turning to leave, he ordered himself not to look over at Elle, but apparently his brain joined his body in the “ruled by Elle” boat.
“Hi.” She smiled, stepping toward him with an armful of dirty dishes. Her gaze was warm and bright, as if seeing him had made her day.
An answering warmth spread through him, shifting something in his chest as well as his mood.
“Hey,” he managed to say before his radio went off again.
Shit. His call.
“Got to go,” he stated and pushed through the door, cursing himself for getting distracted.
Still, her image kept his brain company on his drive to the pizza shop to answer a drunk and disorderly call.
As he pulled up outside Martelli’s Pizza Bar and Grille, Nico walked out while twisting a man’s arms behind his back. Jeremy recognized the guy and sighed.
Ever since his wife left last year, Ed Burns pissed away one paycheck a month on booze. Unfortunately, the guy was a regular at holding because he kept refusing treatment.
“Again, Ed?” he asked as Nico released his grip.
The man shrugged. “Maybe s-still.”
Damn, that wasn’t good.
“He almost knocked your sister over, plus he broke a bunch of glasses,” Nico stated, folding his arms over his chest.
“Not my f-fault,” Ed stammered, more than three sheets to the wind. “Didn’t see her.” His body swayed until Jeremy grabbed his arm. “S-stupid spot for ‘em.”
Nico raised a brow. “They were on the bar in front of patrons, Ed.”
