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“I’ve never had a female friend except for my best friend’s wife. I can give it a try, but I would like to talk about that spectacular sex. I knew you wanted me.” I smile this time to lighten the mood a little. I see the sadness in Kelly’s eyes, and it is killing me to think this woman is lonely. I won’t be friended by her, but I know when to bide my time. “I’m up for a new friend but we will revisit this subject later.” Kelly relaxes a little.
“Now that we settled that, what is good to eat?” Kelly picks up a menu from behind the napkin dispenser.
“Everything is good here. My favorite is a burger and fries. Can’t go wrong with that,” I tell her while studying her face. She doesn’t wear makeup and I like that. She has a fresh look with an edge to it. Her hair is a light brown almost a dark blond with red highlights. Her eyes come to mine and they are beautiful brown eyes.
“Why are you staring at me? Do I have something on my face?” Kelly wipes at her face.
“No, darlin’, your face is just so beautiful and that isn’t me flirting, you’re a natural beauty.” Kelly’s cheeks turn red and I notice the adorable freckles across her nose. I never knew freckles could be so damn cute.
“Thank you, that is sweet of you to say. Tell me, Trask, besides pissing off waitresses in this diner what do you do around here? Have you lived here your entire life or are you a transplant like me? What do you do for fun besides the obvious?” That makes me laugh.
“The obvious being?” I ask her without hesitation.
“Pissing off the single women of Comfort. Texas,” Kelly states bluntly.
I like it, she doesn’t back down when challenged. I know this woman must have a flaw somewhere.
“I don’t intentionally piss anyone off,” I say as Aggie walks up to our table.
“What can I get the two of you to drink?” Aggie asks us.
“Water for me, please,” Kelly answers.
“Iced tea, please, and I think we are ready to order.” I look at Kelly and she nods her head. “We both want a cheeseburger basket and I want steak sauce on mine.” Aggie knows my order. I am a regular here and for lunch I always eat a burger and fries.
“Would you like steak sauce also?” Aggie looks at Kelly.
“Sounds good and ranch dressing for my fries.” Aggie writes it down without saying anything and leaves.
“Ranch dressing for your fries? Is that a thing from where you come from?”
Kelly laughs. “Not sure. I have lived all over but this will be the first I have eaten steak sauce on my burger. Is that a thing from here?” I guess she’s right.
“I don’t think so, but I like steak sauce. Sometimes I change it up and use barbeque sauce. I’m a weird duck.” My mom has always said that.
“I guess I am too. If I don’t eat fries with ranch dressing, I use gravy or honey. I have never liked following what everyone else does so I try different food combinations. I do like ketchup in my chili though.” Something we have in common.
“Don’t tell anyone but instead of liking lemon in my iced tea, I like raspberry. I don’t do it all the time but to me it just gives it a zing.” Aggie brings our drinks back to us and leaves without a word. Kelly looks at her water. “Something wrong with it?” I ask her.
“No, I was just making sure your other waitress didn’t spit in it.” That makes me laugh.
“Darlin’, if Cheryl is going to get back at someone, it’ll be me. Dan would fire her ass if she chased off his best customer. I’m a bachelor and this place is my home away from home.” I look at my tea a little closer.
“It’s good to know that you are single. I would hate to need to look over my shoulder for a jealous wife.” That makes me laugh.
“Since you are new around here, would you save a bachelor without a date for tonight? I have a cookout to help with.” Kelly raises her eyebrows.
“In the middle of winter, a week before Christmas, you’re having a get-together outside? You know it is supposed to rain and freeze again tonight?” Kelly looks like she doesn’t believe me.
“In Texas we have cookouts year-round. My best friend and his wife have an announcement to make and we are going to cook on their back deck but eat inside. It’s burgers and hot dogs—nothing fancy but all good people. You could go with me and then I can introduce you to the nice people of Comfort. It is a casual and small event. You can meet more potential friends. I know Lyric will love you. She was the last new arrival to our community so she can give you a quick rundown of everyone in town from a newcomer’s perspective.” Kelly looks like she is thinking about it. “I will be with you the entire time, so you know someone.”
“Alright. Do you know where Mrs. Lamb’s farmhouse is? I’m renting it from her.” I nod my head.
“That must be keeping you busy. It needs a lot of work.” That house has needed repairs before Mrs. Lamb’s mom passed away. I can’t believe she invested any money in the house.
“You’re telling me. The roof leaks in my bedroom. I listen to the dripping of the rain into my bucket, so I know when to empty it at night.” Now I know how I can get closer to this little lady.
“I can come over this weekend and get up there and see if I can patch it until Mrs. Lamb gets it fixed,” I volunteer.
