by LuAnn McLane
“Reservations, huh?”
Mia nodded firmly. “And they were so very hard to get,” Mia added, hoping that she didn’t have to come up with a restaurant name. The only place other than Wine and Diner she knew of was Sully’s, and reservations at a bar and grill probably weren’t necessary.
Nancy arched an eyebrow and looked as if she were suppressing a grin. “I just bet reservations were hard to get here in Cricket Creek. Special occasion?”
Mia swallowed hard. She hated lying. “Um, our anniversary.” She now understood how one fabrication quickly led to another.
“Aw, well, now, sugar, I’ll do my best. You can have a seat over there.” Nancy pointed to a wooden bench against the far wall. “Hopefully it won’t take too long to spring your boyfriend.”
“Thank you.” Mia nodded but then leaned in a little closer. “Cam’s actually innocent of any real wrongdoing, you know,” Mia said but kept her serious tone low in case the big, mean sheriff was anywhere nearby.
“I’m sure,” Nancy whispered back, but Mia didn’t think she was taking her seriously. Unfortunately she got that a lot.
After glancing left and right, Mia added, “No, really, Cam was actually a hero. He came to my rescue like a true gentleman.” She placed one hand to her chest. “Well, you know, except for the little … scuffle.”
“That was very sweet of your man to get into trouble on your behalf,” Nancy said with a bit of a wistful sigh and glanced down at a romance novel on her desk. “Everyone deserves a hero. Somebody to stick up for them. Care. Kiss … wake up to in the morning. Okay, I’d better stop.”
“I know what you’re saying,” Mia agreed automatically, but she then realized it was true. She hoped that gaining Nancy’s sympathy would speed up the process.
“Is he your husband or boyfriend?”
Mia noticed the lack of a wedding ring on Nancy’s left hand and felt a pang of sadness. “We’re not married … you know, yet. We’re celebrating … uh, the day we met.”
“Oh, how adorable! Yeah, well, if he’s a keeper, y’all better hang on tight. All the good ones are already taken or, you know …” She extended her hand forward and tilted it back and forth.
Mia frowned for a second, but then it dawned on her what Nancy was getting at. “You mean gay?”
“Uh-huh.” Nancy nodded slowly and sighed as if from personal experience. “I do mean gay.” She sighed again. “Some gentlemen prefer blondes and some gentlemen prefer … other gentlemen.”
“So true,” Mia said with a serious nod, but then Nancy laughed.
“Oh, you were kidding!” Mia was often the last one to get the joke.
Nancy shook her head. “No, honey, I sure do wish, but I can laugh about it now. He was a trucker of all things … Who knew?”
“Well, I’m sure your soul mate is still out there,” Mia assured her with a bit of a wary smile. She wasn’t used to people being so forward with personal information, but small-town folks seemed to be much more forthcoming, going right past chitchat to the good stuff.
Nancy chuckled. “Well, at my age they’re dropping like flies.” Again Mia wasn’t sure if she should laugh, but when Nancy chuckled, Mia joined her. “Honey, all I can say is that if this Cameron Patrick is hero material, you’re one lucky girl.”
“I’ll remember that,” Mia said and mulled Nancy’s comment over after sitting down on the wooden bench. She clutched her purse on her lap and tried to relax even though she felt out of her element. But after glancing around, Mia almost managed to laugh out loud. Out of her element? That was an understatement if there ever was one, and she started mentally ticking off the reasons why. Okay, she was in a police station bailing out an almost total stranger with borrowed money. Just a little while ago she had tossed a Diet Coke in a man’s face and then jumped onto another man’s back and attempted to snap his ears from his head. Oh, and let’s see, she had left her father’s estate in a battered old car and was now living in a small town under an assumed name while weaving a tale that just kept on growing. And to top it all off, all she had in her wallet was a few dollars from tips, and she already owed money.
Panic started to well up in her throat, and her fingers itched to call her father to end this nonsense and put her on the next flight back home to Chicago. By this weekend she could be in Monte Carlo or Cabo San Lucas. Mia sighed. Maybe if she closed her eyes and clicked her heels she would end up snuggled in her own cushy bed. It was worth a try! She brushed away a lock of hair and noticed that her fingers were trembling. Oh boy …
But Mia suddenly sat up straighter. That pitiful pile of tips in her purse was money she had earned. And … she had been hired not because she was Mitch Monroe’s daughter but based on her very own merit. Okay, she had pretty much begged, and, well, she had really sucked at her job, but Mia was prepared to go back and try again if Myra allowed her. Instead of standing on the sidelines letting everything be done for her, Mia had jumped into the fray—literally—and it felt pretty damned good. Well, except for her aching feet! She glanced down at her perfectly stylish but utterly painful shoes. Her first purchase with her paycheck was going to be sensible footwear, she thought with a wry grin. But when she rolled the word sensible over in her brain, Mia actually snorted. From her extravagant lifestyle to her designer shoes, absolutely nothing in Mia’s life remotely resembled being sensible. When another snort drew Nancy’s attention, Mia wiggled her finger beneath her nose pretended she had sneezed.
“God bless you, sugar.”
“Thanks,” Mia replied but then sneezed for real, drawing a frown from Nancy.
“You’re not dressed warm enough for this unseasonal weather. Somebody sure musta pissed off Mother Nature.”
“I know.” She wondered if there was a jacket in the hodgepodge of clothing stuffed in her suitcase. Probably not …
“Well, that will never do.” Nancy scooted her chair back from the desk and stood up. “I’ll go search in the lost-and-found box for a sweater.”
Mia waved a hand in Nancy’s direction. She was cold but not exactly thrilled about wearing discarded clothing from a jail. “Oh, I’ll be f-f-f- … aaah-choo!”
“Sure you will.”
“No real— Aaah-choo!”
“I’ll be right back,” Nancy insisted and then hurried down the narrow hallway before disappearing into a room.
Mia shook her head but smiled softly. Here she was a complete stranger and Nancy was concerned for her welfare. Fred had promised to fix her car as cheaply as possible and keep it stored until she could pay, and without a penny down. Myra had hired her out of the goodness of her heart and Cameron had come to her rescue twice. Mia already knew more people in Cricket Creek than she knew in her gated community back in Chicago.
Wow …
Mia released her death grip on the leather strap of her purse and a reassuring sense of calm washed over her. “Not only can I do this, but I will pay back everyone who put their trust in me, especially Myra,” she whispered with a quiet sense of determination. She wanted to do this … and not to prove anything to her father but to prove something to herself.
A couple of minutes later, Nancy reappeared with a cute little blue hoodie that had the Cricket Creek Cougars emblem in the upper corner. “Here ya go. See if this fits. Probably a little bit big, but it should chase away the chill. Noah Falcon brought over some promotional stuff the other day that I had forgotten about.”
“Oh, I couldn’t take some free stuff meant for your employees,” Mia protested, even though the soft cotton felt warm and wonderful.
Nancy rolled her eyes. “Sheriff Mason isn’t too fond of Noah, and he shoved it all into a back room in a big old huff, so don’t worry about it.”
“Well, in that case, thanks,” Mia said and shoved her arms into the sleeves. It was a little bit big but warmed her cold arms. “So the sheriff doesn’t care for Noah Falcon?” Even though Mia knew the answer, she wanted the scoop.
“Crazy.” Nancy pursed her lips. �
��That Cougar complex has revitalized this tired little town. Business has picked up everywhere, and the new shopping strip down by the stadium is going to be a nice addition to the area. Shops and a couple of restaurants, and there is talk of a future hotel and convention center that will bring in business all year round.”
“Silly man,” Mia said as she zipped up the hoodie.
“Old rivalry that goes all the way back to high school, but yeah, silly man is putting it mildly. I know I’m grateful to Noah Falcon and Ty McKenna for bringing life back to our community. If it hadn’t happened soon, Cricket Creek would have become a ghost town. Family-owned businesses would have gone under and let the franchises swoop in and take over.”
“That would have been a shame! This place oozes charm.”
“I’d like to think so,” Nancy agreed. “Plus, the baseball games are fun. I’m looking forward to the new season.”
“Oh …” Mia suddenly thought of her father’s involvement with the Cougars and wondered how much he actually had to do with the entire development. If she had to guess, she’d guess it would be a lot. “I can imagine.”
Nancy tilted her head. “I thought your boyfriend was on the team. Surely you’ll be at the games.”
“Oh, for sure,” Mia said firmly. “I was, you know, speaking in general terms. I’m just glad to hear that it’s a success and bringing in more growth.”
“Yes, this town has been brought back to life in more ways than one,” Nancy added before turning her attention back to her computer.
Although Mia realized that she knew only a small portion of her father’s business dealings, this was the positive type of thing she always associated with him. Although Mitch Monroe commanded a presence much like Donald Trump, he had a much more easygoing demeanor. Mia certainly never suspected him of doing anything as harsh as taking over the company of a valued friend, and she was still reeling from their last conversation. Mia shook her head slowly. While she knew that her father made piles of money, he gave back in a big way, and Mia had organized many charity events for him. Mitch Monroe was shrewd, yes … but ruthless? It didn’t add up, but then again she had overheard his phone conversation and he hadn’t denied a single accusation. But oh God … she missed him! The desire to whip out her phone and tell him about her adventure in Cricket Creek was so strong that she barely refrained. She chewed on the inside of her lip. Maybe just a little bitty text message? Oh, and this situation was so tweet-worthy! Her friends would be in hysterics, Mia thought with a grin, and she reached inside her purse for her cell phone.
Wait a minute. Mia knew that her friends would think this was one big joke, and that realization brought her up short. How often had she witnessed snobbish, rude behavior from her very own friends, much like the table of asshats that Cameron had ended up fighting … oh right, and she had fought as well. They’d deserved to get their butts kicked!
“No!” she said so loudly that Nancy glanced over the top of her reading glasses.
“Sugar, I’m sorry it’s taking so long. You didn’t hear it from me, but Sheriff Mason drags his feet when he wants to, I’m afraid.”
Mia widened her eyes. “You mean he’s letting Cameron rot in a jail cell on purpose?”
“Well, I don’t think your young man is to the rotting stage just yet, but yes.” Nancy held up her romance novel; it had a hunky guy on the cover that made Mia think of Cameron. “I don’t have books on my desk because we’re overflowing with crooks around here.”
“Can I visit him?” Mia had a vision of taking him a picnic basket of food with a secret weapon wrapped in a ham sandwich. “Take him some supper?” She glanced at the vending machine. “At least a candy bar, or maybe a Coke?”
Nancy chuckled. “Now, aren’t you just as cute as a button. Where are you from anyways? It sure isn’t from around these parts.”
“Oh … uh …” Mia hesitated but then said, “Here and there. The Midwest.”
“Thought so.” Nancy nodded. “Y’all got that kinda funny accent.”
“Really? You’re telling me I have an accent?” Mia pointed her thumb toward her chest. “You’re the one with the southern drawl, Nancy.”
“Southern? Honey, slow and easy isn’t just an accent or drawl. It’s a way of life. I’m sure we move at a more leisurely pace than you’re accustomed to.”
“Yes,” Mia admitted, “but that’s not such a bad thing.”
When Nancy glanced back down, Mia said, “Oh, I don’t mean to keep you from your job.” Especially if it was paperwork to get Cameron out, Mia thought with a slight grimace.
“What? Oh, sweetie, I was on Facebook.”
“Really?” Nancy didn’t look like the Facebook type, but then again, what did she know? Apparently not much.
“I finished up all of my paperwork a while ago. I’m actually itching to finish reading my book. The hero and heroine are about to do the horizontal tango, if ya know what I’m sayin’.”
Mia frowned for a second but then giggled. “I do.”
“Yeah, I’m afraid it’s as close to sex as I’m gonna get.”
Mia couldn’t believe she was having this conversation with a total stranger, but then again she was finding that small-town folks seemed to speak their mind and then some. “You don’t know that.”
Nancy leaned forward on her elbows. “Oh, honey, I’m sorry to say it, but that ship has sailed.”
“Hey, don’t give up! Your prince might still come.”
“Well, I’ve kissed enough frogs in my day, that’s for damn sure,” Nancy said just as the door opened.
Mia’s heart pounded with the anticipation of seeing Cameron, but a tall, gray-haired man in dusty work clothes entered the room. He had a neatly trimmed beard, slightly shaggy hair, a kind smile, and very blue eyes that zoned in on Nancy. “What’s this I’m hearin’ ’bout you kissin’ frogs?”
“Oh, I’m just goin’ on,” Nancy said with a wave of her hand, but Mia noted with interest that she appeared a little flushed. She tucked her hair behind her ears and gave him her full attention. “Has it stopped rainin’ yet?”
“Yeah, just misty and damp. Not my favorite kinda weather.”
Nancy frowned. “Well, now, Tucker, you shoulda come in outta the rain. You’ll catch your death!”
He shrugged. “Aw, sun’s tryin’ to break through. Let me tell ya, I’ve worked in much worse conditions. I’ve been trimmin’ the hedges and I wanted to get it done before dinner. Needed something cold to wet my whistle, though. I’m damned near parched,” Tucker replied, and for the first time he seemed to notice Mia, who was sitting there quietly taking in the exchange. “Howdy there.” He gave her a polite nod.
“Tucker, meet sweet little Mia,” Nancy said. “She’s a new waitress down at Wine and Diner.”
“Nice to meet you, Tucker.”
He smiled, making his light blue eyes crinkle at the corners. “Same here. I’m part of the old-timers’ breakfast club down at the diner. Reckon I’ll be seein’ ya around.”
“I hope so,” Mia said softly and felt a bit of heat in her cheeks. If she didn’t get fired. “Are you the groundskeeper?” Mia asked, wanting to change the subject.
“That among other things,” Tucker answered as he slipped a dollar into the slot on the soft drink machine. It spit it out and he laughed and slipped it back in. “Danged machine never wants to take my money. I can fix just about anything, but I enjoy being outdoors.”
“Well, the courthouse looks amazing,” Mia replied. “It’s nice that they didn’t tear it down and put up a modern building. And the grounds are meticulous.”
“Thanks.” Tucker smiled and then popped the top of a root beer. “There’ve been some fights over it at town hall since the old courthouse is a bit hard to maintain, but some things are worth keeping. Well, speaking of that, I’d better get back to work. Nice to meet ya,” he said and, after taking a swallow of his drink, turned to Nancy. “You comin’ to breakfast this Saturday mornin’?”
Mia noticed that his tone seemed carefully casual, but those intense blue eyes held such hope that Mia almost sighed. She wished someone would look at her with such longing.
“I believe I will,” Nancy answered just as evenly.
“Good to hear.” Tucker took a long swallow of root beer. “Well, I guess I’d better get back out there and rake up the clipped branches.”
“All right, then,” Nancy said but then held up one finger. “Oh, hold on, I almost forgot that I saved you a few of my oatmeal raisin cookies. Baked a batch last night.” She lifted one shoulder. “Was bored and needed something to keep my hands busy.”
Yeah, right, Mia thought.
“Thank you much, Nancy. They’re my favorite, and nobody makes ’em better than you,” he said as he took the cookies from her. “I’ll return this,” he promised and held up the plastic container.
“Aw, no need.”
“Are you kiddin’?” Tucker grinned. “I want to ensure a refill.”
“All right, then.”
“Thanks, I’ll be dipping these in some cold milk later tonight. Hope to see ya Saturday,” he said and then turned to Mia. “Nice to meet ya, Miss Mia.”
“Same here.”
Tucker gave her a little salute and then headed out the door.
“Well, now,” Mia cooed with an arch of one eyebrow. “Is he one of the frogs?”
“Naw, we’re just friends,” Nancy scoffed, but Mia detected a bit of a blush.
“Well, he sure is handsome. Is he single?”
“Well, now I, uh, suppose so.”
“Meaning yes.”
“Uh-huh.” Nancy fidgeted around with random items on her desk. “He’s been divorced for a long time. Stupid woman ran off with another man.”
“So what are you waiting for?” Mia raised her hands skyward. “Christmas?”
Nancy stopped fidgeting and laughed. “Girlie, I declare, you might not be from Cricket Creek, but I’m thinking you just might belong here after all.”
“I’m just in a sort of holding pattern while my car gets fixed.”