“Not if you want me to stay open after you get out of work, Walter!”
He cringed at the volume and again when roar came up from the corner.
She had nice lips too. Uh-oh. She caught him staring. She met his gaze in the screen. She turned her head to look him in the eyes. Something unreadable flashed in her green eyes and her lips turned to a smirk.
“Sorry for this. I’ll be out of your way in a minute, I swear. If I get any closer to the Old Men Club, I’ll be trapped and frankly I’m desperate for a nap.”
He was about to ask her where she came from, what she did for fun and her name, but she turned away before he had a chance to open his mouth. She rummaged in her pockets. He tried to read the paper, but her movement distracted him. He caught a glimpse of hot pink undies peeking out from the back of her pants. Nice. He liked pink on a woman. The illicit peek reminded him of what else he was missing in Belkin. His cousin got to stay close to home, enjoying his normal pursuits, but he hadn’t met a single eligible woman who wasn’t his employee, other than Jo. She was friendly enough, but all too often, her crossed arms read back-off. He didn’t need the distraction of a relationship, and Jo’s worry lines looked like someone who avoided a good time. He didn’t need drama, but he could use a little stress relief. This stranger gave him hope. She seemed...fun.
Her hair bounced as she sat up, producing an item in each hand. From the shelter of his propped-up tablet, he watched as she put two items on the counter, both in colorful packaging.
“While I’m waiting, and before I fall asleep for the next day and a half, I brought something for Kevin.” She yawned her words.
Who’s Kevin?
“How long have you been up?”
“Let’s see. I had to pack up and be out of the rental at noon, so, about twenty-three hours. I hate when projects run over time.”
“Me too. What is that?” A small, crumpled bag appeared on the counter.
“I told you, it’s for Kevin.”
“Why don’t you save it for when you see him?”
“Nah, you’re his mom. I wanted you to approve it first. Besides, I’m not sure if I’ll see him before I head back out.”
So, Jo had a son. She probably had a husband or boyfriend somewhere too. No wonder she seemed exhausted and a little reserved behind her smile.
He couldn’t see what was in the small bag, but as the blonde slid her arm back, she bumped him. “Sorry, again. I promise I’ll be out of your way soon.”
“No pr—” He turned toward her, hoping to get a good look at her face, but she’d already turned. Enough of her hair had worked loose that a wave of pale blue shielded her eyes.
“He’ll love the model. His dexterity’s improved since” Jo jerked her head toward him in a movement so small he wouldn’t have noticed if he weren’t trying so hard to see what was going on. “Well, you know.”
No, he didn’t. In the city, he could have asked near strangers conversing over him what they were talking about since they had acknowledged him and it wouldn’t be rude. But here? Midwesterners were so uptight about being interrupted.
“I wasn’t sure about the candy, especially with that trial he’s in—that’s why I wanted you to look first.”
“It looks fine. He doesn’t have dietary restrictions, unlike that last one.”
He glanced up and caught a sight of Jo’s smile.
“Let me top that off.” His coffee cup was three-quarters empty and likely had cooled to room temperature, which did nothing to enhance the quality. He’d forgotten all about it once the newcomer arrived.
“You are going to love the new therapist. He’s so good with Kevin—”
“Cute?”
The coffee burned his throat. If she wanted that info, she must be single, maybe looking.
“Josephine Hirshorn,” The voice came from beside him, “I dare say you’re blushing.”
He glanced up to see his waitress’s reddened face and neck. The beautiful stranger beside him laughed with abandon. He might not understand the joke, but her laughter brightened his day while simultaneously punching him in the gut. He adapted to the relative lack of traffic noise, but nothing in this two-bit town replaced the hubbub generated by thousands and thousands of people laughing, talking and shouting. She possessed a joyful laugh, the kind that made him wish he had a reason to join in. But he didn’t. Few moments in life merited more than a scoff, anyway.
“I said you will love him. Anyway, I’m way too busy.”
“Excuses, excuses. I’ve got ’em too, but sometimes, you need a little distraction.” Her hand brushed against his arm, a feather light touch that would have gone unnoticed in urban jostling, but here was a moment of vitality, a confirmation of existence. “Sorry. Again. That’s three times now. We should be done.”
“It’s all right.” He mumbled. Midwesterners and their apologies. “Why three?”
She tucked her stray hair behind her ear and turned to him. Green. Her eyes were green, mostly. He wasn’t sure because they shifted each time she blinked. “Something my grandma always said. Bad things happen in threes, broken dishes, apologies, speeding tickets.”
“Number four’s up.” The disembodied voice came from the cook in the back.
“Your breakfast, madam.” Jo said as she set the to-go container on the counter.
“Thanks. I’m starving. If I can’t get over to your house tomorrow, then it probably won’t be until the weekend. I’ll bring Kevin’s big present and something for you.”
“You didn’t have to”—
“I did.” She yawned.
“Get some sleep, Claire. Drive safe through town – the police got a new speed gun toy—and call me later—but only when the sun is shining. Some of us sleep when it’s dark.”
“Will do.” She saluted. In the reflection of
