Page 22 of Love on the Run

“We’re sworn enemies,” Callie looked up then, and unleashed a beaming smile at Susan.“My name’s Callie. It’s nice to meet you, Susan.”

“You, too, dear.” Susan replied, not prepared to counter either Callie’s sweet smile or her ridiculous statement.

“I’ll have the grilled cheese with fries.Cheddar.And I’d love a Coke, if you’d be so kind.”

“Sure thing.” Susan was examining her speculatively.She left to get their drinks, but Callie knew she was still being watched.

“Interesting pick,” Jake drawled.

“The sandwich?”

“The role.”

“Like it matters what I say, anyway,” she pointed out.“You think there haven’t been conclusions drawn already?”

Susan brought their drinks out, giving Jake a very long look as she set the coffee down.“Anything else?”

“Not at the moment,” he said, wondering if it was too late to get up and leave, then immediately deciding that it was far too late.

“We’re more open-minded than you might think,” he said, responding to Callie’s comment, after Susan left again.

“That’s what everyone says.” Callie looked out the window.She seemed very distant, and Jake thought that it was unlikely any person watching them now would assume they were romantically attracted to each other.Which, of course, they weren’t.

Before he could think of anything to say, someone else broke the silence. A man of about seventy strolled up to their table. “How’s it going, Jake?”

“Fine,” Jake said.“Did you ever find that calf?”

“Along about midnight,” the man laughed, a low, gravelly sound.He turned to Callie. “Why hello there, young Miss.I’m Richard Borden.” He stuck out a hand.

“Callie,” she said, giving his hand a firm shake..

“Can’t recall seeing you about before,” Rich noted, and Callie smiled at the dry tone he spoke with.

“That would be because I haven’t been about before,” she said, wondering how long it would take him to get to the real question.

“So, where did Jake find you?” Not that long, apparently.

“In the ditch on the side of the road,” she answered with wide-eyed sincerity.

“You don’t say,” Rich inclined his head, not indicating if he believed her or not.“Lucky for him. Nicest thing I ever found on the side of the road was a Schwinn bicycle. Imagine it fell off someone’s roof rack.”

“Do you still have the bike?” Callie kept a straight face.

“Nah, gave it to my grandson.”

“That was sweet of you.”

“He’ll get more use out of it.” He nodded slowly, as if confirming a doubtful decision. “You’ll be staying long?”

“We’ll see,” Callie and Jake said simultaneously, though with very different intonations.

Rich glanced from one to the other. “Well,” was all he said to that pronouncement. “Well. Guess that’s my lunch coming out now.” He glanced at Susan coming out of the kitchen. “Good to meet you, Miss Callie. You’re making me wonder if I shouldn’t watch the side of the road a little closer. You have a good day, now.”

“You too.” Callie grinned, watching his retreat. Someone else was already coming over.

The arrival of their food was the only thing that interrupted the parade of people who simply had to talk to Jake about whatever minor occurrence gave them an excuse to wander over. When Susan set their plates down, Callie’s expression brightened instantly.“That looks good,” she almost purred.

Jake noticed. “If I’d have known that’s all it would take to cheer you up, I would have taken you here for breakfast.”

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