Chapter Nineteen
CHAPTER NINETEEN
As Heather drove to the Moonshine Campground she kept checking the rearview mirror. Grateful it was only a short distance and there were no headlights behind her, she pulled into the parking area, hurried into the restaurant and headed straight into the cashier’s office. It was easy to find the order for the Spanish Omelette, and she quickly called Blake.
“Hey, darlin’,” he said warmly as he answered. “Are you at work?”
“Yes, and I wasn’t followed, thank goodness. I found the receipt. The man’s name is Joseph Meyer.”
“That doesn’t ring a bell.”
“I wonder if he’ll show up for dinner,” she said thoughtfully. “He is staying here.”
“Can you ask the manager not to seat him at your station?”
“I was already thinking about that. I wonder who he is.”
“It’s too late to call the sheriff now, but I will first thing in the mornin’. Maybe he can shed some light on this. Let me know when you’re leavin’.”
“Will do. Bye, Blake.”
“Bye, darlin’.”
Heather ended the call with a smile.
She loved how he called her darlin’.
It was hard to believe they were dating!
She’d had a crush on the hunky cowboy since the day they’d met, and while he’d always been warm and kind, he’d kept a professional distance. But there were other cute girls at the barn, and she couldn’t help but wonder why he’d chosen her.
“Heather?” The manager’s voice snapped her from her thoughts. Glancing up she saw him standing in the door. “Are you okay?”
“Oh, hi Terry, yes, fine, but there’s something I need to tell you.”
As she quickly relayed the entire story, from buying Henry, Courtney’s arrest, being followed, and the coincidental conversation with the guest seated at the window table, a frown creased his brow.
“That’s why I’m here looking at this receipt,” she finished. “Blake wanted to know his name, but he has no idea who he is. But if he comes in again...actually...I was going to say I don’t want to serve him, but I’ve changed my mind.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Yes, definitely,” she replied. “I think it’s time for me to be the one asking questions.”
“Heather, I don’t like the sound of this.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t upset him, I’ll be very…what’s the word? Subtle. I’ll be very subtle.”
“I’m not worried about upsetting him, I’m worried about your safety. If he was the one who followed you—”
“That’s what I’m hoping to find out. Well, not that exactly, but I’ll get some information, and anything I learn might be helpful.”
“Okay, but I’ll be keeping my eye on him—and you. If I see anything that concerns me I’ll step in.”
“Thanks, Terry. That’s reassuring,” she said, though she hoped he wouldn’t interfere. “Now I’d better get into the kitchen and check on the specials.”
* * *
When Joe left the hospital he had serious reservations about Courtney’s scheme to escape. While it was brilliant, he knew all too well even the best laid plans could fall short. Not to mention life was full of the unexpected. But once Courtney had an idea in her head there was no changing her mind. She wasn’t as stubborn as a mule, she was as stubborn as a team of them. But there was another reason he had to go along with her. If he refused she might not ever speak to him again.
The thought of losing her made his stomach churn.
By the time he’d reached his cabin he’d resigned himself to his fate. If they were caught he’d lose his law license and probably end up behind bars. But it was a very clever idea, and together they might just be able to pull it off.
After taking a long hot shower and mentally running through the details to make sure he hadn’t missed anything, he headed to the restaurant. It was still relatively early. There were only a few guests, and the moment he walked in he saw Heather. He couldn’t quite put his finger on why, but she was the quintessential country girl. Or at least, what he’d always imagined a country girl to be. As if feeling his eyes on her, she turned around and smiled. For a moment he felt captured, as though she was a mythological siren on a rock luring him in, and he was a lowly sailor.
“Good evening, Sir.” Startled, he jerked his head around. He’d been so mesmerized he hadn’t seen the hostess approaching from the side. “Would you like to sit by the window again?”
“The one I sat at before, if possible,” he replied, hoping it would mean Heather would be his waitress.
“No, problem, and there’s a full moon tonight. You’ll be able to see it over the mountains. It’s an amazing sight.”
“I’m sure it is.”
As the young woman led him across the dining room he could sense Heather’s eyes on him, and the moment he sat down she arrived with a coffee pot.
“Hello, again,” she said warmly, pouring the hot brew. “It’s nice to see you. Would you like something to drink?”
“Does the bar have a quality bourbon?”
“Here’s a list of our spirits.”
Lifting a small leather wallet from her apron she handed it to him, and he noticed she wasn’t wearing nail polish.
Abruptly it hit him.
She wasn’t wearing makeup either, except for a light touch of mascara and lip gloss.
That’s why he’d seen her as the quintessential country girl.
Her beauty was natural.
“Sir?”
“Sorry,” he said hastily, realizing he’d been staring. But when he took the folder he found it difficult to focus.
“The bourbons are at the bottom,” she offered, as if she knew he was rattled.
“Ah, yes, I see, thank you. I’ll have the Jack Daniels Single Barrel Select.”
“Coming right up.”
As she walked away he picked up his coffee, took a sip, and looked across at the mountains.
Suddenly Courtney’s plan was deeply disturbing.
Then a second later he realized he had to be there.
Not just to help her, but to make sure nothing happened to Heather.