Chapter Fourteen
Grant
Small towns might have fewer people, but the people they did have were a hundred times more nosy. I ignored the curious eyes as we walked through the door of the Ridge Diner. The smell of bacon and coffee hit me as I walked through the door, and my stomach rumbled.
We took a free table near the back, away from as many people as possible.
I wasn’t in the mood to socialize at the best of times, but right now?
When Kara and I were navigating this weird setup, even less so.
I had never had an issue keeping my distance from anyone in my life. What made her so different?
The waitress appeared before I could do something stupid like try to learn more about Kara.
“Polly, every time I come in here, you’re working,” I said, forcing myself out of my head.
I didn’t know Polly well, but she wasn’t one for pointless small talk, which made her my favorite server in the place.
“Need all the hours I can get,” she said with a shrug. “What can I get you guys?” She asked as she filled out coffee cups. I took a gulp of mine gratefully, burning my tongue in the process.
We both put in our orders, and I turned my attention to the woman in front of me.
She had her brown hair piled in a bun on top of her head.
She wore a long-sleeved shirt and leggings, showing off generous curves with a few well-placed muscles.
Everything about her—from her job in graphic design to her leopard-print luggage—screamed city girl.
But the way she’d handled the chores the day before, and the fact that her body carried real strength, gave away her roots in the mountains.
I realized I was staring and glanced away.
Last night was something else. After we were done and our eyes had started to droop, I hadn’t even thought to ask her to sleep in her own bed.
I’d wanted her next to me, where I could touch her, feel her, know she was safe.
For a man who had spent his adult life intentionally alone, it was a confusing feeling.
Walt had shown me that having a friend—even one you lived with—was okay.
Kara might be showing me something else entirely, and the idea made me want to squirm in my seat.
It was just sex, great sex, but still sex. That didn’t change the reason she was here.
My eye caught on the top of a brown Stetson moving in our direction, and that could only mean one thing. I really wasn’t in the mood to answer the kinds of questions I knew were coming. Sure enough, a moment later there was the sound of boots approaching.
“Well, hello there, Grant,” Hank said, sounding like a cartoon character. He leaned against the side of the booth, grinning at me and then at Kara.
I gritted my teeth and introduced Kara to the sheriff.
Hank shook her hand, lingering far too long for my liking. “I was half expecting a call that you two had killed each other, but things look pretty cozy.”
“We’re fine,” I said tightly, hoping he would get the hint. I was wanting Kara all to myself.
Kara nodded.
“The grump shows his true colors. You two certainly have the town talking.”
“People talk anyway,” I said, dismissively.
Hank’s grin widened. “True. But you two? This is juicier than a soap opera.”
Kara cleared her throat. “Is it always like this? Feeling like you’re in a fishbowl?”
“You don’t know the half of it,” I said.
Hank opened his mouth to ask a follow-up question, but he was drowned out by a new voice.
“Well, look what we have here.”
I groaned.
Ma Keegan.
Of course.
There were people who talked too much and people who talked too loud. Then there was Ma. She was all of that, plus nosy, pushy, and completely without a filter. If I wasn’t in the mood for Hank, I really wasn’t in the mood for Ma.
She marched over from behind the counter, wiping her hands on her apron. Silver-streaked red hair stuck out of her messy bun. Her cheeks were rosy, her glasses bouncing against her chest on their chain.
“Morning, Ma,” I said, bracing myself.
“Don’t morning Ma me, Grant Callahan.” She planted a hand on her hip and looked between me and Kara. “You walk in here with a pretty woman and don’t think to introduce her?”
The background chatter and clinking of silverware on plates stopped as everyone in the place not so subtly turned to watch.
Ma tapped the table with her knuckle. “Now, you must be the niece Walt was always bragging about.”
Kara lifted her head meekly. “That’s me.”
Ma’s face softened, just a little. “Well, I’ll be damned. You’ve got his eyes.”
Kara smiled softly. “I’ve heard that before.”
“Of course you have,” Ma said. “Walt never shut up about you, you know? Man bragged about you all the time. Usually all he bragged about was the fish he claimed to catch. No one ever saw those giant fish, of course.”
My chest tightened at that, but Ma bulldozed right over the moment.
“So,” she continued, lowering her voice even though everyone in the diner could clearly hear her, “Walt managed to get the two of you together, even if he had to die to get it done.”
“He…what?” Kara said. “There’s just been some confusion with the will and—”
Ma waved a hand. “Oh, please. Walt did that on purpose.”
I blinked. “What?” My heart beat harder in my chest. Whatever Ma was on about, I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear it.
This was why I stayed up in the mountains.
She leaned in. “Before he was too sick to come to town, he used to sit right up at the counter with his black coffee and tell me, that boy Grant needs to find a good woman. I don’t want to see him turn into a hermit.”
“I’m not a hermit,” I muttered, tossing back the rest of my coffee in one gulp like it was a shot of whiskey.
Ma snorted. “Honey, you talk to trees more than people.”
Kara bit her lip, smiling.
“And you,” Ma said, pointing at Kara, “Walt always said you had a good brain and a stubborn streak the size of the Rockies. He’d be thrilled you’re back in town. Thrilled.”
“I’m glad to be back,” Kara said, sounding genuine.
I liked to see a smile on her face. Then again, for her to be back in town for good meant I’d lose my home. The idea had my stomach churning all over again.
Ma straightened. “So yeah. Leaving the cabin to both of you? Definitely on purpose. Man died, but he’s still meddling. I respect the commitment.”
Kara blinked. “You think he did it to—to what? Set us up?”
Ma shrugged, tucking her hands into the pocket in the front of her apron. “I think he knew two lonely people when he saw them. And I think he figured shoving you in a cabin together was faster than waiting on fate.”
Hank sighed. I’d forgotten he was even standing there. “Ma, maybe don’t start trouble before lunch?”
“Oh hush. I’m helping,” Ma said. Then she winked at Kara. “If he gives you any trouble, you just let me know.”
Hank tipped his hat. “Sheriff’s office is neutral on matchmaking, but unofficially? I’m rooting for you two.”
“Leave it alone, Hank,” I said, needing to be alone more than ever.
He laughed and finally walked away. Slowly the noise in the diner started up again, no doubt Kara and I were the topic of conversation.