even looking up from his task.
“Uh, yeah.” That seemed like a strange question. “Why would you think I didn’t?”
This time he did look up. “Well, I did meet you rummaging around in the trash.”
True. She frowned. “No. I’ve got a place to stay.” Two to be specific. She almost told him that, then remembered her earlier decision to be more like Trudy. To be less open and trusting.
He wasn’t local, since she didn’t know him, and there was a hint of a Southern accent in his voice. “You’re not originally from here, are you?” she asked before she thought twice about it.
He glanced up again. “Nope, but I’m here now.”
That wasn’t much of an answer, and it didn’t take long to realize she wasn’t going to get much more. He was clearly a private man. Every other time she’d tried to chat with him tonight, he’d answered just as succinctly. No elaboration, no explanation and no effort to get to know her.
The red flags that filled her mind were worth paying attention to. She’d had enough experience already with people who weren’t open and honest with her. She’d do well to remember that.
The next morning when her phone alarm went off, Lisa smacked it to silence the noise. She’d forgotten to turn it off last night. For half an instant, she panicked that she’d be late for work if she didn’t get moving.
Then reality hit her. She didn’t have a job to get to. Wait... Had she dreamt last night? The Dumpster? The way Trey Haymaker, her new boss, had grabbed her arm, and before she could think straight, hired her to waitress? Until two in the morning?
She’d been too stunned to say no, and because of that, she did indeed have a new job.
Groaning, she rolled over. Might as well sleep in since she now apparently worked the night shift. She closed her eyes, putting the pillow over her head to block out the morning light. But returning to sleep was out of the question. She’d been getting up early too long to break the habit in a day.
Slowly, she sat up and shoved her hair out of her eyes. But when she put her feet on the floor, she yanked them back. Pins and needles stabbed her abused toes. When was the last time she’d done that much standing and walking? “Never,” she mumbled and hobbled into the bathroom.
Thankfully, the shower came on hot nearly immediately, and she stepped under the spray with a sigh. Warm. Comforting. Leaning back against the tiles, she let the water wash over her.
What had happened to her life? Two days ago, she’d had a job she loved—a career job, not a waitress job—her grandfather was safely situated in his little house and life was good.
Now none of that was true. Closing her eyes, she tried to force herself to relax. This might be her last chance to do that.
Had she really told Trey she’d be working again today for a whole shift? The man did intrigue her. Tall. Athletic. Cowboy boots and jeans were never a bad thing. His image was fresh and clear in her mind—his voice, deep and warm, echoed in her thoughts.
Stop that! She grabbed the soap and lathered up. Now was the time to focus—and not on some guy, no matter how good-looking.
Still, if she was working at the bar, when was she going to job hunt? Heck, when was she going to find her grandfather? Or some decent shoes? She needed some support for her poor arches if she was going to be a waitress.
She was not going to be a waitress forever, she reminded herself. It was just...temporary. She was an event planner with a life in Denver, not here.
Turning off the water, Lisa grabbed one of the big, fluffy towels. Another reality. She couldn’t afford to stay here, not on a waitress’s salary, though she had gotten some really nice tips last night.
She’d have to stay at her grandfather’s place until she found him. But what if the intruder came back? What if she was asleep when they did? She couldn’t stay awake all the time. She shivered and stepped out of the shower.
Oh, what was the purpose in fretting? She quickly dressed and headed down to breakfast—it was free, after all. Images of an old lady she’d seen at a buffet once, sliding food into her purse, came to mind.
Was that why grandmas always had huge purses? To slip food into, just in case? No, no, she reprimanded herself in her best mental impression of her grandmother.
Free breakfast here, and Trey had told her she could get lunch if she came in early. She’d be fine. Her stomach growled in a loud taunt.
She’d been destitute for all of twenty-four hours, and she was already turning into a pathetic shadow of herself. Shaking her head, she went downstairs in search of food and her sanity.
Evelyn was up bright and early. The older woman bustled behind the serving table, directing a couple of young girls to refill the serving trays. Lisa’s heart hitched. That was her job. That was what she was supposed to be doing. Damn Robert and his greed.
“Good morning, dear,” Evelyn greeted her. “Did you sleep well?”
“Uh, yes, I did.” Once she got to bed. Three in the morning had been way past her normal bedtime. She headed for the coffee first.
“So glad to hear it.” Evelyn moved on down the line, stirring the food and directing the girls. “Better help yourself quick. We’ll be done soon.” She smiled at Lisa before disappearing into the kitchen with a nearly empty tray of potatoes.
The food did smell delicious, and Lisa heaped a plate full. Her panic returned to taunt her, but she pushed it away. She would find a solution to her current situation.
Evelyn came in with a set of to-go containers. She set them on the end of the long buffet table.
“Who are those for?” Lisa asked, not seeing anyone else in the room.
“We package up all the leftovers and take them to the church. They offer them to some of the parishioners who need help.”
“Oh, that’s nice.” Lisa’s voice faded. Was she destined to be one of those people? What if she couldn’t find a job? A real job, she amended. What if she was stuck here?
Now, cut that out!
She couldn’t be stuck here, she reminded herself. She had an apartment—and rent due in two weeks.
She took a deep breath with the next bite of eggs. She was being ridiculous.
“Morning, Ev. Lisa.”
Sam? What was he doing here? “Did you hear from Grandpa?” Her own situation and appetite forgotten, Lisa looked up at the big man.
Sadly, Sam shook his head and slid into the seat across from her. “No, hon. I came over to check if you had. Did he call you?” His eyes seemed sad, almost haunted, like he’d lost his best friend. Which in reality, he had. Her stomach dropped, and she set her fork down.
Then she remembered that last night she’d turned her ringer off and had shoved her phone into her pocket as soon as she’d waited on the first table. She’d been too tired to check it last night.
Would
