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Then it struck Parker. Farrah had been one of the two women who’d been attacked.
“Would you like to have a seat?” Parker asked. She could use the company.
“I’d love to. Missy, I’ll take my coffee over here,” Farrah said to the server then sat down, hooking her oversized purse on the back of the chair. “You and I have something in common. I’m a city girl myself.” There was a kindness in her eyes. “It looks like you’re trying their delicious tea. I’m crazy over their cupcakes. Earl Gray and lavender is my favorite.”
Parker removed her laptop and rearranged the paperwork to give the teen room to put Farrah’s plate.
“Looks like you’re busy,” Farrah asked as she bit into her cupcake. “Am I interrupting?”
“No, of course not. I’ve been trying to do some business, but I’ve been dealing with brain fog today.” She sipped her delicious tea hoping it eased some of the nervousness inside her.
“Those Ryder men will do that to a poor unsuspecting woman.” Farrah stirred the contents of her cup and set the spoon on the saucer.
Parker’s cheeks warmed. Could this stranger see right into Parker’s thoughts? “I don’t know what you’ve heard, but—”
“Honey, we’re not in the city any longer. Here there are no secrets, unless you hide the truth right under folks’ noses.” She wagged her thin brows. “How do you like the town?”
Parker thought over her answer, realizing Farrah was perceptive. “Sleeping is the biggest challenge. I didn’t even realize how reliant I was on the noises of cars, people, the buzzing of activity.”
“The quiet grows on you. I didn’t plan on staying here this long. I only came here to help my aunt while she recovered from losing her bastard dead husband and then one day led into another. Here I am.”
“Bastard dead husband?” That made Parker a tad bit curious.
“Sheriff Jackson Mellough. You can’t tell me you haven’t heard his name tossed around once or twice. People say it like they’re spewing venom. He was exactly as the name entails. A bastard that screwed up many lives here in Second Chance. He was shot dead by Whiskey Ryder. A true hero.” She hid her smile behind her cup.
Who said small towns didn’t have intricate stories?
“So then Bend Ryder became sheriff?” Parker rolled her finger around the rim of her cup.
“Right.”
“Is Second Chance your home now?” Parker asked.
Farrah shrugged, sending the row of hooped earringsclanking. “Maybe.” Her eyes glistened and she leaned in. “I’ve met someone. I really like him. He’s different than all the other cowboys. He’d never leave Second Chance and I’d never ask him to. You see, some folks belong here, like cream belongs in coffee. No matter how good we women are, land means more. You best ask yourself if love is more important than that big career.”
“I don’t think—”
“Don’t bother. Ophelia meant no harm but she let it slip that you and Raven are pretty cozy.” Some would take this as Farrah overstepping boundaries, but her sweet smile softened the blow. Parker guessed the woman could talk a storm out of brewing.
Why bother denying the truth. “He’s been a good friend.”
Farrah snorted. “Friend? Honey, who needs another friend when they can have Raven Ryder? I’m dead serious when I say that he’s a catch.”
Parker stayed quiet. She’d never been one to lay out all her cards too soon.
“Ahh, I see that look. The silent but loud one.”
Parker blinked, unsure how to answer. “I don’t know what Ophelia said, but—”
“I’m overstepping boundaries, aren’t I?”
“I’ll admit, there’s something about Raven that’s…well…”
“Alluring. Trust me, I’ve had a crush on just about every Ryder brother and I’m sure I’m not the only one. Ophelia might not admit it, but she would have shaved her head and brows if he would have asked.”
Parker nodded. That could explain a lot about Ophelia’s icy attitude.
“Are you and one of the Ryders dating?”
