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Seven
Holden
I got to Rattler’s earlier than I told Emery that Stetson and I would arrive. I didn’t want her to wander around looking for us, or worse, think I’d ditched her.
The week had crawled by slowly. I hadn’t seen her after practice. Landon was back to normal, but getting him over his fear of running with the ball again would take a few more practices. I didn’t blame him. That’d been a hard hit.
I nodded toward the teenage hostess who was used to seeing us and had started saving the big round table in the back if no large parties came in. Stetson and I attracted a crowd. Between the women and the relatives, the owners of Rattler’s that we were buddies with, and the guy that worked for my mom, we liked to have extra seats around.
On my way through the restaurant, I caught sight of another cousin. Archer had an arm slung over the booth, looking like he’d been born and raised in town instead of being a recent transplant from Texas. His wife, Laney, was across from him. Archer moved here for her after some marriage turmoil.
He saw me and grinned. “Holden, how’s it going?”
“Good,” I said. “Date night?”
Archer winked at his wife. “Every night’s a date night.”
Laney nodded. “Especially the night we were chasing a fox away from the hen coop. You want an egg drop next week?”
I nodded. She got special feed from the co-op, and her chickens laid the richest eggs. “I’ll leave the money in the box.”
“Want to join us?” Archer tipped his head to the spot next to him.
“Nah, man. I’m meeting Stetson and another friend.”
Archer might have been new to town, but he knew everyone who walked into Rattler’s on a Friday night. If I didn’t specify the friend’s name, then both he and Laney knew that friend was a woman and that my thoughts toward her weren’t merely friendly. But they each gave me knowing nods and wished me a good night.
Stetson was already parked in his usual spot, casually chatting with Remington. Remington’s ball cap was backward, and he must’ve ditched his apron while he was in the dining room, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t working. He’d talk to us, then he’d make his rounds.
I’d been to Rattler’s enough to know that he and the other owner, Shawn, took turns being visible, asking everyone how their meal was, making sure that if there were issues, they were resolved quickly. It was part of their business plan. Remington mentioned once that if they kept workers and customers happy, they kept their doors open. That was critical in any size town, but especially a community as small as Coal Haven.
“There he is,” Remington said, but I didn’t trust the sly look in his eye. “Did you come early to beat your date?”
“It’s not a date.”
Both guys shot me dubious looks.
I dropped into a seat. “Don’t be weird, all right? It’s just drinks.”
Remington stroked the dark scruff on his face. “I was at the clinic earlier this week to cater lunch. She’s cute.”
I glanced at Stetson, but he remained cool. He might’ve told Remington about Emery, but he didn’t tell him I’d already hooked up with her. “You hit on her?” Of course he did. It’s Remington. He flirted with all the nurses from twenty-four to sixty-four.
He barked out a laugh. “I got more approachable vibes from Ethel Blackwood in the waiting room, and she’s ninety-five. I know because she said she’s still ‘got it going on.’ Her words.”
“She should,” Stetson said. “She outlived three husbands.”
“Said she’s working on her fourth and she wants someone younger. I don’t think she was joking.” Remington righted himself and put his elbows on the table. “Want an appetizer for when she gets here? On the house. I can do a dessert too.”
I scowled. “What the fuck? I’m not taking her to prom. What’s the big deal?”
This time he exchanged a look with Stetson as if they were wondering what wasn’t the big deal. “Nothing. Just being hospitable. I mean, if she likes the place, that’s five more customers.”
“Six, with her mom.”
Both the guys leaned over the table. Remington’s tone was incredulous when he asked, “You’ve met her mother?”
“No, I was just saying. I don’t know if her mom’s eaten here or not.”
