Page 19 of Lone Wolf in Lights
Six
The following morning, Eli’s gaze swept over the local breakfast hotspot, Sparrow Catching, from his spot in a worn leather booth. The diner always came with comfort and hearty laughter, full of the town’s morning risers: cowboys with shirts rolled to the elbows, young mothers desperate for some adult conversations and elderly patrons who made this diner their morning routine. His gaze flicked over the familiar faces, each one etched with their own stories, their own secrets.
He traced the wood grain of the table with a calloused finger, the ridges and grooves as familiar as the lines of his own weathered palm. The bell above the entrance chimed, and he glanced up, heart hitching just slightly at the sight of Willow stepping into the diner. Her hair cascaded in waves down her shoulders, bright like the sun, much like the spirit that hid behind those striking eyes of hers. Eyes that now darted around the room, betraying her nervousness.
She clutched her purse like a lifeline, her knuckles white, as her gaze finally locked with Eli’s. A subtle nod from him—the barest dip of his chin—was all it took to spur her forward. As she moved through the diner, heads turned, whispers fluttered around the space.
“Will they buy it?” The question whispered off her lips, barely audible over the voices carrying through the restaurant, as she stopped in next to the table.
The diner was full of gossipers. Betty included.
“Oh, they’ll buy it,” Eli said, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Timber Falls loves a good love story—even if we have to write it ourselves.”
He rose from the booth, a deliberate motion that stilled the surrounding clamor of Sparrow Catching. The patrons, mid-sip or bite, paused as he stepped into Willow’s space. His eyes fixed on hers, and without hesitation, his hands found their way to her waist, pulling her gently but firmly into him.
“I’m going to kiss you now,” he murmured, just loud enough for her alone to stay in line with the boundaries she’d set out. Then, after receiving her nod of approval, and full of purpose, he pressed his lips to hers in a kiss that spoke more than any words could convey. It was a performance, yes, but the heat that hit him spoke of this connection with her he couldn’t outrun, blurring the line between fake and reality.
The breakfast crowd at Sparrow Catching drew in a collective gasp, forks clattered against plates and cups landed a touch too hard on saucers.
His lips curved into a smile against Willow’s, as he whispered, “We’re quite the convincing couple, aren’t we?” The words were meant for her alone, a reminder of the pretense they had carefully constructed. A show. It was all about perception, but as Eli gazed down at the woman in his arms, he knew this wasn’t all for show.
He’d been craving those perfect lips, and he couldn’t fight the satisfaction that he’d had them again.
“Best performance this town’s seen in a while,” Willow whispered back, her voice steady despite the pinkish hue of her cheeks.
As they parted, Betty, who adored Willow from what Eli had seen, shuffled toward them. She was in the bar often, and Eli was sure that Betty adopted Willow as her honorary granddaughter.
“Willow, dear!” she exclaimed, coming to stand by their booth with a gleam in her eye. “How could you keep this wonderful news from me? When were you planning on telling me about this handsome beau of yours?” She rested her hands on her hips, surveying them both with grandmotherly scrutiny. There was no mistaking the twinkle of gossip that danced in her eyes.
“Hi, Betty,” Willow said, her tone warm, “I didn’t say anything because it’s new.”
“I see,” Betty said, studying them intently. “I must say, you two make a lovely picture. How did this all come about?”
Before Willow could respond, Eli interjected smoothly, “Let’s just say life has a funny way of bringing people together when they least expect it.”
“Life and a bit of matchmaking, I suspect,” Betty quipped, her eyes dancing. “Well, I won’t pry any further.” With a knowing nod, she blew Willow a kiss. “So nice to see you, sweet dear. I’m so pleased to see you happy like this.” She set her smile onto Eli. “Goodbye, handsome.”
Eli just grinned at her.
“Bye, Betty,” Willow said, as Betty retreated to her seat, leaving behind a trail of lingering glances and hushed conversations that buzzed like bees around a hive when she returned to her table of five women.
Eli chuckled. “Any doubt now?”
Willow shrugged. “Yes. A million of them.”
He understood and didn’t feel the need to comment. “Holding hands for the show?” he asked, offering his.
Willow nodded, sliding her slender fingers into his.
As they settled back into their seats, they soon placed their orders and began fixing their coffee. It wasn’t long before Jenna, the owner and beacon of warm welcomes, approached their booth with plates in hand. The smells of hearty breakfast fare—sizzling bacon, fluffy eggs and golden-brown toast—wafted toward Eli.
“Here you go, two Sparrow Specials,” Jenna announced with her trademark grin, sliding the dishes onto the table. Her eyes flickered to their interlocked hands still resting on the tabletop, a silent question hanging in the air like the steam rising from his mug. “So, what’s the special occasion?”
“Just enjoying a good start to the day,” Eli replied.
Jenna nodded, her smiling knowing. “Well, if you need anything else, just holler.” With a final wink at Willow, she sauntered off.
Eli turned his attention back to Willow, whose hand shook a little before letting go of his as she reached for her fork. That couldn’t do, not only for the ruse, but seeing her unsettled left a bad taste in his mouth. That last thing he wanted to do was make her feel uncomfortable, and he realized that this was likely her first meal with a man in a very long time, and she’d been clear—she did not want a relationship.
