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TaylorSwift’sYouBelongWithMebegan playing on a retro jukebox in the corner, drawing several jeans-clad couples to the small dance floor, crammed between the bar and the tables in the back.Lilyfelt relieved to have chosen the right attire.Shefit in nicely.
“Notfrom around here,Ma’am?”
Sheesh.Secondtime in twenty-four hours.WhatdidIget wrong?
Sheturned around to find an older gentleman, wearing a braided, leather bolo around his blue button-down’s collar.Hehad a face full of wrinkles and stood about half a foot shorter than she was.Hewore hearing aids and a warm smile.
Shesaid, “AndhereIthoughtInailed the local look.”
Theman’s smile widened as he stuck out his hand. “Lou.LouGalindo.Sorry, but your accent just confirmed my suspicions.”
Shecouldn’t help but laugh. “Lou, you’re not hitting on me are you?Ijust dealt with that situation at the hotel.”
Helooked like a deer in the headlights. “Oh,I’msorry.Thatwas not my intention?—”
Lilylet out a guffaw. “I’monly kidding.Notabout the hotel guy, though.Listen,I’mstarved.Lookslike we’re both here alone.Wantto join me?”
Lou’sface went from relieved to amused. “Ithought you’d never ask.”
* * *
Wyattwas sittingon a stool by the bar, his second beer in hand.Theday had started out well enough but then turned south with the community meeting.Heknew there would be a fierce fight ahead.Givenhis sour mood, he declinedJoey’sinvitation for dinner and came toTheRoadhouseto relax and think things over.
Hetook a long swig and then his eyes settled on a woman.Herback was to him.Shewas speaking with a short, old guy.Wyattcould just make out her lilting laugh above the noise.
Thenshe turned to face him, their eyes briefly meeting.Shewas a stunner.Tall, slender, with long flowing chestnut hair and magical green eyes.Shewasn’t local, that was clear.Notjust because he didn’t recognize her.Itwas something intangible.Maybethe cut of her hair or the unscuffed hiking boots.
Andstill she seemed familiar.Hecouldn’t put his finger on it.Hewatched as the woman and her companion moved toward the back of the restaurant, ostensibly in search of a table.Heleft the empty beer bottle on the bar, dropped a twenty beside it, and alcohol-infused,Wyattwent to check things out.
ChapterTen
LilyandLouscored a table in the back behind the pool table.Theconversation was lively,Lilysharing that she worked for a property management firm.Thoughvague about his professional pursuits,Louexplained he was recently retired.
Lilywas about to order a quarter pounder with ‘all the fixin’s,’ as the friendly waitress recommended, when a man approached the juke box several feet away, eyeing the options.
She’dnoticed him seated at the bar shortly afterLouintroduced himself to her.Hehad a deep tan, and sun-streaked sandy-colored hair which was brushed back and matched his short beard.Hewas tall, with defined muscles down his arms and large hands with scabbed-over scratches along the knuckles.Hewore distressed jeans that looked authentic and a t-shirt that said,SomersBrothersand below it,WeFixThings.
Straightand to the point.Lilywondered if the shirt reflected his personality.
Onething was clear.Heoozed masculinity.
TheGamblerbegan playing on the juke box.Itwas one of her favorite songs.
Yougotta know when to hold ‘em.
“Miss?”
Lilylooked up at the waitress, a plain, harried-looking woman aroundLily’sage.Herpen was hovering above her old-fashioned order pad.Howlong has she been standing here?
Louwas eyeing her, then glanced at the guy at the juke box, a knowing smile on his lips.
Lilyfelt a blush come on. “Sorry,I’lltake that burger you recommend.”
“Drink?”
“Um.”
“Bringher aGoldDustBlonde.”
