Evans Creek Book 2: In Good Hands

Chapter 03

"Listen, hon. There are no secrets in a small town. This morning when Cherry called to say she'd be out sick another day, Tim told her about Rowdy staring at you with his jaw hanging open like some cartoon character. Would you believe that his teeth clacked when Tim called him out on it? Tim also said that Rowdy watched you all night, and stayed after closing to walk you home."

"He did?"

"You mean that he didn't walk you home?"

"No. I mean, yes, he did. But that other stuff—the love-struck fool stuff. You don't expect me to believe—"

"I'm just saying what Tim told Cherry and what Cherry told me."

"You know Cherry?"

"Small town, hon. Everyone knows everyone. You'll pick up on the rhythm eventually. Give it time." Betsy winked.

Suzie rolled her eyes and turned to grab the order up. She was exhausted, but when Ger called to ask if she wanted extra hours today, she couldn't say no. Brody had to go to the doctor soon and he might need more medicine. Even the generic stuff was expensive without medical insurance.

The bell over the door chimed and Suzie looked back to see Dennis and Rowdy come in. They were in uniform so they were here for their lunch probably. Suzie snatched glances at him out of her peripheral and he didn't even look around for her. If he was lovestruck last night, it must have been the whiskey.

...or the uniform.

Suzie gave a mental shrug.

"Hi Suzie." Dennis said as she sailed by to grab the coffee for refills on six.

"Hi Dennis. Hi Rowdy." She smiled as she went by.

Grabbing the coffee pot in one hand and a tiny chilled pitcher of creamer in the other, she sailed by again. Rowdy didn't even look up.

If he was lovestruck, then she was Nicole Kidman!

Suzie resisted the urge to roll her eyes and blew an errant strand of hair from her eyes as she reached six and set the creamer down.

Rowdy looked up to catch Betsy watching him from behind the counter. She was loading her arms up with plates. Brunch was in full swing. He and Dennis had the morning shift for the next few days and he was hoping maybe to avoid Suzie, since she normally worked afternoons.

He should have known better...

From the way Betsy was watching him, Rowdy knew that she knew about last night. Evans Creek was a small town and before long, everyone would know that he went to Suzie's place last night.

...Hell, they probably all knew already and it wasn't even noon.

Rowdy thought Suzie looked tired. He saw her yesterday when he stopped for lunch...and then at Dale's last night...and here again this morning. He wondered where she found the strength to keep going, and then he remembered her with Brody.

A mother's love...

But Brody needed a follow-up visit with the doctor soon.

...and he might need more medicine.

Rowdy frowned as he wondered if Suzie would be able to afford a doctor visit, or what she would do if Brody needed more medicine.

Dennis jabbed an elbow in his ribs and Rowdy pulled out of his thoughts to see Suzie walking past. She looked annoyed.

What did he miss?

"What's with you?" Dennis hissed quietly.

"What?"