Chapter Seven #2
He shifted his weight, guilt tightening his chest. “I know that now. I was just upset about Mr. Cummings.”
Her shoulders drooped. “I know. I’m sorry you had to do that. I could tell it was hard.”
“It was. But I’m still on your case.”
She softened. “I know. I don’t doubt it.”
He touched the hair hanging out from under her beanie. “What brings you into town?”
“Inventory,” she said, glancing back at her cozy shop. A bell jingled from inside. “You?”
He pointed down the block. “Besides work, the diner. I’m starving. Want to join me?”
She hesitated, then nodded. The ghost of a smile curved her lips. “Sure.”
Relief warmed him. He took her hand, gloved fingers curling around hers. “Let’s go before it fills up.” He squeezed her hand.
She squeezed back. “Lead the way, Agent.”
He grinned and led her down the sidewalk. Inside the diner, the scent of frying bacon and fresh coffee enveloped them. Neon lights buzzed over red vinyl booths and chrome stools. Connie waved them to an empty corner booth.
Sydney slid in on one side, smoothing her jacket. He dropped into the seat opposite, tucking his gloves into the pockets of his coat.
“I’m starving,” she murmured.
“Same. No breakfast.” He ran a hand over his unshaved jaw, feeling the stubborn stubble. “Didn’t get any sleep.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Because of Mr. Cummings?”
His eyes met hers. “And you.”
“Me? Why?”
“I shouldn’t have left like that, then sending a tw o‐ word text.” His voice dropped.
She touched his forearm. “I just wanted to make sure you got home safe.”
He closed his eyes for a few seconds, then exhaled. “I know. I’m sorry.”
She shook her head, red strands brushing her cheek. “You already apologized. It’s fine.”
Case smiled, feeling the tension in his shoulders gradually release. Connie hovered nearby with menus, her presence as familiar as the hum of conversation that rose and fell around them, creating a comforting cocoon of sound. For a brief moment, everything seemed perfectly in place.
“Do you want your usuals, or do you need menus?” Connie asked, her smile was as warm as the glow of the restaurant’s softly lit interior.
“I’ll take my usual, Connie. Along with coffee,” Sydney replied, her voice relaxed and assured.
“Same for me,” Case added, nodding slightly.
“Alright. I’ll be back with those shortly,” Connie said, her cheerful demeanor unwavering as she moved away.
“That woman never fails to have a smile on her face,” Sydney remarked, shaking her head with a mix of admiration and disbelief.
“She’s the best,” Case agreed, rubbing his jaw absentmindedly.
“Didn’t you shave this morning?” Sydney asked, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
“No. I was so tired I was afraid I’d cut my throat,” he admitted, his voice laced with a self-deprecating humor.
When Sydney laughed, the sound was infectious, prompting a chuckle from Case as well.
“I have to say, it’s kind of sexy,” she teased, a playful glint in her eyes.
“You wouldn’t think so if you had to shave it every day,” he retorted, meeting her gaze with a teasing smile.
Their eyes locked for a moment, a silent exchange of shared understanding, before she looked away. “So, what else are you doing today?”
“I’m hoping to talk to the kid’s attorney. Maybe let him know I’d be willing to make a deal if he tells me where the horse is,” Case explained, his expression growing serious.
“You’re still not going to tell me who it is, are you?” Sydney asked, tilting her head slightly.
“Not yet,” he replied.
“Okay,” she conceded.
Case grinned. “I will soon. I just need to find out where he stashed the horse. It’s not anywhere on the ranch, so I need to talk to him again.
” He shook his head, frustration creeping into his voice.
“Thing is, since he lawyered up, he might not talk at all. If I could just get the other kid to talk.”
“Do you think he knows something?” Sydney inquired, leaning in slightly.
“Definitely. I think I’ll go out there again if the snow lets up.” He glanced toward the window, where heavy snowflakes fell thickly, blanketing the world outside in a soft white shroud .
Sydney turned to look, and then faced him, her eyes were wide in surprise. “I have to get out of here right after lunch. I’m going to tell my employees at the bookstore to head home. It’s getting too bad out.”
“Yes, it is. I might not make it out there today. Damn it,” Case muttered, a note of frustration in his voice as he watched the relentless snowfall.
“Can’t you call him?”
“No. I’d rather not. I want to look him in the eyes when he tells me he had nothing to do with it.”
“I bet you can tell when someone is lying.”
“Most of the time. Some people lie better than they do telling the truth. It just comes natural to them, like breathing. I detest liars.”
“I do too.”
Connie set their lunches on the table. “Enjoy.”
“We will, Connie. You and Owen are the best,” Sydney said.
“We know,” Connie said with a laugh, then walked to another customer.
“She can’t deny it,” he said, then picked up his hamburger and immediately thought ‘hambirder’ since Deke’s daughter pronounced it that way.
“What are you smiling about?” Sydney tilted her head.
“My niece. Ellie says hambirder for hamburger.”
Sydney laughed. “That’s adorable.”
“ She’s adorable.”
“Maybe you need to have some kids. It seems like you like them.”
“I’d love to have some kids. I love them. What gets me about Hud is he loves kids but has sworn he will never settle down.”
“Most men say that. I don’t know too many who say they want to settle down. They feel it… traps th em,” she said with a wave of her hand.
Case chuckled. “I know a few of them who said that and are now married or engaged.”
Sydney shrugged. “When the right one comes along, your brother will change his mind.”
“I hope so. He’s a good man but settling down isn’t in his vocabulary.”
Sydney shook her head, then they talked about everything. Case really enjoyed her company and the sex… shit! Don’t think about that or you’ll embarrass yourself.
Once they finished eating, they slid from the booth, pulled their coats on and Sydney pulled her beanie down over her head as Case carried his hat to the cash register. After paying, they walked outside into a blizzard. Case placed his hat on his head.
“Damn.”
“Yeah, I second that.”
“I’ll walk you to your store.” Case put his hand out for her and smiled when she placed hers in his.
“I love winter, but this is ridiculous,” Sydney said, as she huddled under her scarf.
“I bet we’re in for a lot of snow.”
They stopped in front of her store, and she looked at him.
“Thanks for lunch. Please be careful when you leave work this evening.”
“I will. Go inside.” He nodded toward the door.
“If you can’t make it home, stop by my place. I have a spare bedroom… if you want to use it.” She gave him a sly smile and entered the store.
Case checked traffic, then crossed the street to enter the courthouse. When he stepped into the elevator, he leaned against the wall. He’d love to be with her again, but he had to keep this case in his head right now, not Sydney Wright.
The elevator stopped on his floor, and he stepped out, entered the office, then strode to his desk. His hat and the shoulders of his sheepskin coat were covered in snow, so he brushed it off both and hung them up.
Before sitting down, he looked out the window behind his desk. The snow was thick, but the street wasn’t covered yet. Maybe he should take a ride to the Gibbs ranch. Go while he could.
Taking his hat and coat back off the hatrack, he walked to Dave’s office. The glass door propped open.
“Dave?”
“Come in, Case. What’s up?”
“I’m going to head out to the Gibbs ranch and try to talk to Tillman. My gut tells me he’s involved.”
“Okay, but you be damn careful out there, and I don’t just mean the snow.”
“Yes, sir. I know.” Case left the office and took the steps this time.
He stepped outside into a winter wonderland. Damn. Did he really want to give this a go? He huffed, then jogged down the steps, climbed into his truck, started it and drove out of the parking lot, hoping he’d be lucky and wear Tillman down.
****
Sydney shooed her employees toward the door and announced to the few remaining customers that they were closing in fifteen minutes. Through the frosted windows, she could see the snow coming down in thick, angry flakes that swirled like confetti in the bitter wind.
“I need to count the receipts first,” Beth said, her fingers already working at the register drawer.
“I’ll do it. You all need to get out of here before this blizzard traps us all.” Sydney gestured toward the windows where the snow was piling up in drifts against the glass. “It’s not letting up, and I’m sure it’ll get worse as the day goes on.”
“Are you sure? I can stick around. I don’t live that far.” Beth stood at the counter, clutching her puffy down coat.
“I appreciate it, Beth, but please just go home. I’d feel terrible if anything happened to any of you. If it’s too bad in the morning, don’t open. People will understand.”
“Alright.” Beth pulled her coat on, the zipper making a harsh metallic sound in the quiet store, then tugged a fuzzy blue beanie over her blonde curls.
“Sydney, you be damn careful too. Oh! I meant to ask, who was that hot cowboy you were talking to?” Beth’s tired face lit up with a mischievous grin.
“He’s the livestock agent working on my case,” Sydney said, feeling warmth creep into her cheeks. “He’s so hot.”
“Oh, my God, I know. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Those shoulders in that sheepskin coat...” Beth fanned herself dramatically.
“You should see his eyes. They’re the color of honey, only a little darker.”
“Wow. I think he needs to buy a book. Like seriously come in here, and I’ll wait on him.”