Page 132 of Peaks and Promises

The rain continued, and only a handful of customers came in. I took orders, brought out plates of food, and refilled mugs of coffee. One of the locals asked me how I was doing, and I assured him I was fine. Another told me he thought he’d seen a man matching Axel’s description, but it turned out it was just his neighbor. I thanked him for being on the lookout.

Stan and Russell came in, taking seats at the counter, and I filled their mugs with coffee. Reese glanced out the window, then at his watch. He’d long since cleaned his plate of the breakfast he’d ordered, so I moved down the counter to clear his dishes.

“You don’t have to sit here all day,” I said quietly. “Why don’t you go check on Nate?”

“I just texted Dad. They’re fine.”

“More coffee, then?”

The subtle smile he gave me reminded me of when he’d come into the diner in Arizona. How my heart would flutter every time I saw him. When I’d wondered if maybe, just maybe, he was flirting with me.

Before I could stop myself, I leaned across the counter and pressed my lips to his. The kiss didn’t last long, but the quick brush of his tongue set me on fire.

His phone buzzed, and surprise flashed across his face as he read the message.

“Is something wrong?” I asked.

“Luke thinks Axel might be at a motel in Pinecrest.”

“Seriously?”

“He’s not positive, but one of his mechanics was up there and drove around to have a look just in case. He saw someone who could be Axel.”

“Are you going to go check it out?”

His eyes met mine and he hesitated.

“You should,” I said. “Nothing’s going on here.”

He nodded once. “Okay. I’ll be back before you’re off work.”

“I’ll be here.”

He stood and leaned over the counter to kiss me before saying goodbye. Biting my lower lip, I watched him leave.

“That’s a good man you’ve got there, Summer,” Stan said after the door closed behind Reese.

I let out a dreamy sigh. “A very good man.”

The rain didn’t let up, and after a minor rush around lunchtime, business had slowed to a trickle.

I tried not to think about what Reese was doing. I didn’t know what would happen if he found Axel. Would a confrontation turn deadly? Would Reese be safe? Helplessness ate at me. I called my mother again during my break, hoping to get through, but like before, she didn’t answer.

About half an hour before my shift ended, Rob came out of his office.

“It’s awfully quiet, and I don’t see that changing,” he said. “You might as well go home.”

“I need to wait for Reese to pick me up. Are you sure there’s nothing else you want me to do before I go?”

“Looks like everything is covered. Why don’t you have a seat and get off your feet while you wait?”

“Thanks, Rob.” My feet were killing me. “I’ll do that.”

“I have your paycheck, too. Let me get that for you.”

How had I forgotten it was payday? That was a good indication of how distracted I’d been.

Rob brought my check and handed it to me. After thanking him, I glanced outside. Still raining. I didn’t particularly want to get wet, but there was an ATM only a block away, and it was under cover. It would only take a minute to deposit my check. And it would be a better use of my time while I waited for Reese.