by Desiree Holt
“Coffee?” she asked.
Jack, who had been studying his cell phone, raised his eyes. Jessie was gratified to see them widen in shock and the color leach from his face.
“Why, yes,” the woman with him said. “Coffee would be great. Right, Jack?”
Jack seemed frozen, unable to say a word or take his eyes from her.
Jessie filled both mugs and handed them menus. “I’ll be back to take your order in a few minutes.”
Jack had yet to speak when she walked away, satisfied that she’d gotten the best of this situation. She might not have been expecting to see him in this town, but he definitely hadn’t expected her.
“Do you know him?” Rona asked when she was back in the kitchen. “You look like you saw a ghost.”
“He reminds me of someone I used to know,” was all that she said.
“Well, you looked like you was about to pass out. Want me to take their order?”
“No, I’ll do it.” She had to face him sooner or later. At the moment, it seemed she had the upper hand, so she planned to use it.
Pasting a smile on her face, she grabbed an order pad and marched back out to the booth. The woman with Jack leaned toward him, her fingers wrapped around his wrists. Jessie was sure the woman was giving him the third degree. She knew she would be.
Neither of them was paying attention when she walked up to the booth, so she cleared her throat.
“Well, Jack Ward.” She made her voice as bright and cheery as possible. “I thought that was you. What on earth are you doing all the way out here in Fort Mavis?”
She could tell from the expression on his face he was still shell-shocked. The woman with him, a slender strawberry blonde, looked as if she was trying to decide whether to be gracious, friendly, just curious, or pissed off.
“Uh, Jessie?” He stared up at her. “Is it really you?”
“Sure is.” She was determined to be Miss Bright and Cheerful if it killed her. “I’m very surprised to see you here. I didn’t think you’d ever leave Houston.”
He scowled. “I could say the same for you.”
She shrugged. “Oh, well. You never know when an opportunity will come your way. You folks about ready to order?”
Folks? If I said “folks” in my last place of employment, they would have sent me back to culinary school.
“Jack?” Miss Strawberry Blonde curved her bright red lips into a smile that had little humor in it. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your little friend?”
Little friend? Jessie wanted to pour coffee on her head.
Jack looked as if he’d rather swallow nails. “Lynne, this is Jessie Coford. She and I are, um, were, um….”
“Yes, Jack? What were we?” She looked at Lynne. “We were friends. Very good friends.”
Okay, so she was being a bitch. But she just couldn’t believe he was into this woman who was the exact opposite of her. It hadn’t been that many weeks since she had broken off with him. Maybe she hadn’t meant as much to him as he told her.
Jack stared at her as if he’d never seen her.
“That’s right,” he said. “We were, uh, friends.”
Jessie glanced from him to Lynne, who was seething beneath her phony smile.
“I’m Lynne Robbins. I manage the real estate agency in town. We were all surprised to hear that Delfina had left this place to someone. I was hoping to put it on the market.”
Jessie blinked. “Really?”
“Yes.” She fished in her purse and pulled out a business card. “Give me a call. We should talk.”
Jessie just glanced at the card. “Thanks, but I’m not interested in selling.”
She wasn’t sure who looked more shocked, Jack or Lynne.
“You’re staying in Fort Mavis?” he asked.
“Looks like it. Seems like a very nice place.” The conflicted look on his face only fed her desire to play this up. “So. You folks ready to order?”
Lynne stared at her for a long moment, trying to maintain her professional attitude. Then she picked up her purse and slid to the end of the bench.
“I think I’ve lost my appetite. Let’s go, Jack.”
He sat for a moment, his gaze raking over Jessie’s face as if trying to read her real intent. Then he picked up his hat, which he’d placed on the seat beside him, and stood up. He gave Jessie another penetrating stare then followed Lynne out the door. Jessie stared after them then walked as nonchalantly as possible to the kitchen. But, the moment the door swung shut behind her, she hurried to her tiny office and practically fell into the desk chair.
“Jessie?” Alton stood in the doorway, a frown creasing his forehead. “You okay?”
“Yes.” She swallowed and repeated more firmly, “Yes, I’m fine.”
“You sure don’t look fine. You’re white as a bedsheet and shaking like a leaf in the wind. Did someone say something to you out there?” He scratched his neck. “People loved Delfina, but they got no call to be mean to you just because she’s gone.”
“It’s that deputy.” Rona came up next to Alton. “I knew he was trouble the minute Dean hired him.”
“I’m fine. Everything’s fine. Please. Go take care of the customers.”
With obvious reluctance, they went back to work. Jessie sat in her chair with her hands clasped together, her heart still racing. Jack Ward in Fort Mavis. Oh. My. God. And who was that phony bitch with him?
His taste in women sure has gone downhill. I should be glad to be rid of him.
But the sad fact was, she wasn’t. Not at all. Seeing him again had brought back everything she felt for him and all her regrets in walking away from him. Maybe she should get a T-shirt with the word STUPID in large letters. She had no idea how long she sat there before Rona appeared in the doorway again holding a mug of coffee.
“You look like you need this.” She set it down on Jessie’s desk. “We have a little lull before the lunch rush, so if you want to talk, we’ll listen.”
Jessie studied the woman. “You don’t even know me and yesterday didn’t seem too happy to meet me, so why would you even care?”
“Me and Alton talked a little when breakfast died down. You don’t seem to be what we expected at all. You’re even nice.”
Jessie had an insane desire to laugh at that. “Thank you. I think.”
“I mean, you don’t put on airs, or anything, coming from the high-class place in Houston.” She paused. “At least, not yet. Anyway, we could see that deputy somehow upset you. I thought he was too good to be true.”
Jessie lifted her eyebrows. “Oh? In what way?”
“He’s too good-looking and is nice to everyone. And does his job extra good. Nobody’s that perfect even if he can ride a horse.”
Jack rode a horse? That was news to her.
“He’s just someone I knew some time ago. I’m fine. It was just a shock to see him here.”
“Okay, then. But him hanging out with that Lynne Robbins doesn’t boost him up a notch for me.”
That made her curious. “Why not?”
“You watch out for her. She’s a first-class man-eater, and she doesn’t much care whose man it is.” She started to walk away then turned back. “We’ll be setting up for lunch pretty soon. If you want to come out, me and Alton will walk you through it.”
Now that was a surprise. Was it just because they felt sorry for her?
“Thank you. I’ll be out in a few.”
She could tackle the computer later. Getting a feel for the flow of the operation was more important. It would also give her a chance to assess the kinds of food people ordered and figure out supplies.
They closed at five, and by six o’clock, when they locked up, Jessie had a strong appreciation for the skill of the people who worked there. The teams worked split shifts, five to twelve and twelve to six, alternating times each day. She’d have to figure out how her own time could be best spent. She wanted to do some cooking, too, but not until she’d had at least a week to get
in the rhythm of things, and for her employees to get used to her.
She’d also learned a few things. For the most part, the people of Fort Mavis were very nice and no one at Delfina’s Diner liked Jack’s new lady friend.
“We’ll be opening tomorrow,” Diane said as they stood in the parking area. “You don’t need to get here that early.”
“I want to learn everything I can about this place. Maybe work with all of you to come up with some new ideas.” Oh, wait. Maybe that wasn’t too good. “If you all are willing, that is.”
They both looked at her as if trying to find some hidden meaning in her words. Then Bob nodded.
“Okay. See you then.”
She climbed into her SUV and sat there with the door open for a minute, just thinking about the day. Everything had been a revelation to her, especially the fact that she was caught up in the whole concept.
“So, it was you I saw yesterday on the street here. Just what the hell do you think you’re doing here?”
The voice startled her, so she let out a small scream. Then she looked up to find Jack Ward standing by her car, glaring at her.
Jack had debated with himself about doing this, confronting her, but he wanted to know what the hell she was doing in Fort Mavis. He’d moved halfway across Texas to leave her and the memories behind, and here she was, bringing them back like a really bad dream. How could she just show up in his life like this when she’d put her fancy career ahead of him and walked away? He didn’t know whether to strangle her or kiss her, and that in itself made him mad.
“Just what the hell are you doing in Fort Mavis?”
If he’d expected her to be intimidated, he was way off the mark. He should have known better. Jessie was a spitfire who wasn’t unsettled by anything. At least not that she showed.
She glared at him. “I could ask you the same thing.”
“I have a job here,” he growled.
“And I inherited a business,” she snapped.
They stared at each other.
“So, you didn’t follow me here? Trying to patch things up?” Now that was a stupid thing to say. She was the one who walked away, not him. She didn’t even know he was here.
“Why would I do that? I didn’t even know you were here. Get over yourself, will you?”
He had so many different feelings dancing around inside him he couldn’t get a handle on them. She looked worn out at the end of what had to have been a long day for her, yet, makeup gone, her hair scraped back, dressed in utilitarian jeans and T-shirt, she still looked beautiful to him. Still made his cock hard and his balls ache, and a longing for her he thought he’d buried surged to the surface. He had to mentally restrain himself from grabbing her and placing a hot kiss on her delicious full lips.
“Uh, Jack?” Her voice penetrated his mental fog. “Hello. Anyone in there?”
He’d somehow spaced out, looking at her and thinking of all the things they’d done together naked. Of how soft and warm she felt in his arms, how he loved to hear her sweet laugh and see the sparkle in her eyes. For a moment, he remembered his shower last night and heat surged through his body. He was torn between wanting to pull her into his arms or turn her over his knee and spank her.
Oh, wait! That sparked more heated thoughts.
“I can’t believe you’re planning to stay here,” he said at last. “This place is hardly your cup of tea.”
“And it’s yours?” She lifted an eyebrow in a disdainful expression.
“Damn straight. I love it here, and I won’t let you screw it up for me. You walked away from me once. So stay away.”
“Is that an official order?” Fire snapped in her eyes.
“It’s whatever it needs to be,” he told her. “I started a new life here, and I don’t need you screwing it up for me.”
“Well, I’m starting a new life, too. So let’s just stay away from each other, okay?”
God, she drove him nuts. How was he supposed to get on with his life when he’d probably see her every day? He missed her so badly. Dreamed about her. Wanted her. The only woman he’d ever felt that way about. It was painful to admit, but he’d never let her know.
“What happened to your fancy job in Houston?” he demanded. “And your famous fifteen-year plan?”
“None of your business. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get home. I had a long day today, and tomorrow looks to be the same.”
But he couldn’t let her go. He needed answers from her.
“I want to know why you’re here and why you’re staying.”
“It’s none of your damn business. Now, get the hell out of my way.” She yanked the open door so hard he had to jump out of the way. With a squeal of tires, she pulled out of the area and into the side street.
Jack blew out a breath. A headache had begun to build, and he needed to cool down. He had to figure out what to do. Being around her would be a constant challenge for him unless he could get his feelings for her under control. And that didn’t seem very likely. He wondered if she was staying in Delfina’s old house. It seemed the most obvious place.
He waited until he was sure Jessie was on her way then hit the road. Reluctantly, he found himself driving slowly past Delfina’s house. Yup, there it was. Her slightly battered SUV. So she was settling in. Nesting. Damn, damn, damn. He’d had enough trouble dealing with it when she chose to walk away from what they had, but he was finally coming to terms with it. Now, here she was, back in his life. He was in such big trouble. And all the nights in the world with Lynne Robbins weren’t going to be a cure.
Chapter Four
“That apron looks real good on you, honey,” Rona teased, “but don’t let Bob know you stole one of his.”
Jessie laughed and looked down at herself. She needed to get some aprons that fit her better, but she’d been so busy she just hadn’t had time. This one nearly swallowed her up, but at least it covered her clothes. She always tried to remember to take it off before she went out front to wait on customers. The one time she forgot, her crew and some of her customers had a good laugh at her expense, a laugh that broke the ice all around.
“I’m thinking of embroidering my name and some pink flowers on it.” She grinned. “Think Bob would appreciate that?”
Alton laughed, a booming sound. “I’d pay to see it, I’ll tell you.”
Jessie grinned. If anyone had told her three weeks ago she’d be settled into a small town in West Texas, own a place like Delfina’s Diner, and actually enjoy it, she would have told them to see a shrink. Yet, here she was, feeling unexpectedly comfortable and happy in an environment that, three weeks ago, had been like a foreign country to her. Go figure.
She was stunned to discover she had an instant love for both the house and Fort Mavis, not to mention the diner. That was one of the last things she’d expected. But things seemed to be working out better than she’d imagined at the restaurant. She could see herself making a home here, becoming a part of the community.
After their initial skepticism, her employees appeared to be accepting her. Diane had been the hardest to win over, for whatever reason, but even she gave Jessie grudging smiles and explained some of their systems to her. She’d included them when she drew up her supply orders, too, which she knew had made them feel good.
She knew everyone had been worried she’d want to come in and do a complete overhaul, but the place did a great business. She’d looked at the records in the computer and was astonished at the numbers. Even more shocked at the amount of money in the business checking account. As she became more comfortable with the situation, she could begin to make some improvements, but only with the input of the employees. She needed them to make this work.
Even the patrons of the restaurant were getting used to her, now that she didn’t seem to be “putting on airs,” as Rona had said, or have plans to sell the place. The regulars greeted her by name when they came in, often engaging her in conversation. They were, of course, curious to know the fate of the
restaurant and smiled when she assured them it would stay open, with her at the helm.
She enjoyed chatting with them and was pleased to see how many of her guests were regulars. Working as a chef, she’d seldom got to mix with the customers. The restaurant owner had always done that. But here, in this environment, she was finding new opportunities to mingle with customers.
There was a lot of excitement in the air, too. A rodeo was scheduled at one of the big local ranches. Rona told her they’d be packed to the walls with customers while it was on. Even though they had some food at the event, most people liked to come into town to eat. Something else to look forward to. Maybe she could ease in a couple of new recipes before then.
So what if her fifteen-year plan had her living in an upscale condo in Houston and running her own trendy little café? Instead, here she was, fitting into a lifestyle she never would have imagined for herself. She visited the stores on Main Street, shopping the local merchants and introducing herself. A situation that at first blush looked like just a lifeline in her desperate situation was turning out to be a blessing. She wondered if this had been her destiny all along, a place she hadn’t even known existed before she’d received that unexpected letter.
It was time to cut her ties with Houston. The company that owned her apartment building had texted her several times, reminding her of the deadline. Fine. Tomorrow she would research some moving companies in Houston and arrange to take three days off to go back, close up her apartment, and take care of her stuff. Much as she hated to admit it, the crew was more than capable of running things without her. When she returned, she’d be a permanent resident of Fort Mavis, ready to move ahead with some changes to Delfina’s Diner.
If only she could find the letter from Delfina the attorney had mentioned. She’d looked everyplace in the house, found a lot of personal papers she would take her time going through, but no letter to her. Maybe Marshall Wohl’s genealogy search would turn up something. She sure hoped so. The details of the relationship were becoming more and more important to her.