Tough as Nails

Chapter 29

                                                                      Sheriff Gauge Whimbley

    I followed the pin Everleigh sent me through text.  It lead me right to the diner she wants to meet at.  She said she would be just a couple more minutes signing papers and that she was starving to death.  I can't believe I'm actually here.  I can't stop thinking about this girl.  She's got me hooked and doesn't even realize it.  She hasn't done anything to give me the wrong idea.  All it took was her being herself to get me hooked like some love sick puppy.

    After our phone conversation last night, I couldn't sleep.  I know she must be hurting with the recent break up, and I just want to be here for her.  I made a promise to myself to stay away from Kade.  I'd like to break Kade's face for hurting her, but I don't even know what the reason for their break up is.  I hope she just didn't have the same feelings for him she did before.  What am I saying, there's no way I stand a chance with her.  

    "Gauge?"  Her sweet voice broke me from my thoughts.

    "Everleigh."  I breathed.  The sight of her knocked the wind out of me.  I stood from my chair to mind my manners.  She pulled me into a hug causing my heart to race as I hugged her back. I've never been close enough to notice her hair smells like coconut and summertime.

    "How was your trip?"  She asked smiling taking a seat at the table.

    "It was good."  I said as I sat across from her.  "Everything go good at the bank?"

    "Yes, I'm officially a home owner!"  She said tucking her hair behind her ear. 

    "What can I get you to drink?"  The waitress asked.

    "Sweet tea, please."  Everleigh said smiling up at her.  

    "Do you need a minute or would you like to order?"

    "I'll take a cheese burger with cheese fries."  Everleigh answered.

   "What can I get for you?"  The blonde waitress assed playing with her hair.  I don't know if she was trying to flirt, but she was wasting her time if she was.

    "The same."  I answered never taking my eyes off of Everleigh.

    "I'll get that turned in and be right back with your tea."  She told us.

    "I hope you brought a fishing pole, I have a huge pond I've  been dying to try out."  She said smiling at me.

    "I sure did.  I never leave home without it."  I smiled back at her.

    "Good.  There is so much I want to show you around here.  I just don't know where to start."  Her eyes lit up.  "What am I saying, you probably want to rest on your couple days off."

    "No, I want you to show me whatever you had in mind.  I can rest when I'm dead."

    "I've missed your face."  She said placing her hand on top of mine.  She blushed and quickly pulled it away.

    "I've missed you somethin' terrible."  I said placing my hand on hers this time, rubbing circles with my thumb on her wrist.  We made eye contact and smiled.  If only she knew how much I really did miss her, she would run for the hills.

    "I can't believe you are actually here.  I'm so excited!"  She squealed.  I couldn't take my eyes off of her.  "What?  Is there something on my face?"  She blushed.