Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
The Diner
“You feeling any better?” Bowman asked.
“I’m full. That’s something.” I pushed my empty bowl away.
“What about your dad?”
“I still don’t want to talk about that.”
“Something tells me you have a turbulent relationship with your father.”
“A girl with daddy issues, now there’s a stereotype.”
He peered at me for a long moment, and then he said, “I think you’re a woman with mommy issues.”
I froze. “What do you know about my mother?”
“Nothing,” he said. “Nothing at all, actually. But the way you reacted to finding out your dad has a girlfriend leads me to believe it’s more about your mother than it is about your father.”
“Just when I thought you were turning out to be okay, you have to go and say something like that.” I rose from the table. “Mr. Bixby!”
“Coming!” he called back. A moment later, he stepped out of the kitchen holding several brown bags. “Just packing up some food for you.”
“You’re a gem,” I said, kissing his cheek.
“Keep us posted about your dad, yeah?”
I nodded.
“Don’t worry, honey. He’s a fighter. He’ll pull through.” Mr. Bixby looked at Bowman. “Good to meet you, Bowman. Enjoy your time here.”
Bowman looked at me. “Oh, I will.”
He took the bags of food from Mr. Bixby and we left The Diner just as a group of people came in. I held the door for them, and then followed Bowman outside.
As we passed Sweet Teeth, the door opened and Gracie stepped out onto the sidewalk. She carried several boxes of pastries and said, “You didn’t think you were going to sneak off without saying hello, did you?”
I grinned and gave her a side hug. “No. I didn’t think that.”
“Liar.” She chuckled. “Mr. Bixby called me and said you were having lunch, so I had time to bake you some fresh pastries.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” I said, taking the boxes from her.
“Like hell I didn’t. Fair warning, I called Lucy, so she’ll probably stop you too.” Gracie looked at Bowman. “Hi, I don’t know you.”
“This is Cas Bowman,” I said. “Declan’s rodeo BFF. Bowman, this is Gracie. Hadley and I have known her since third grade.”
“Second, actually. Ms. Milford’s class.” Gracie made a quick perusal of Bowman. “You’re going to cause quite a stir.”
“I hope so,” Bowman quipped.
Gracie looked at me, her expression sobering. “Your dad is strong and stubborn. He’ll get through this.”
“Yeah,” I said faintly. “I hope so.”
“I know so,” Gracie said. She squeezed my wrist.
“Did you know he was dating someone?” I asked bluntly.
She blinked bright blue eyes. “Oh, shoot, I need to get back to—ah, Hell. I need to be anywhere but here.”
Gracie skuttled back into the bakery.
“Did everyone know about my dad’s girlfriend but me?” I snapped at Bowman.
“You really want me to answer that?” Bowman asked.
I sighed. “Let’s go before we’re hounded by someone—”
“Salem!”
The dimpling woman with wrinkles at the corners of her eyes popped out of General Merc before I could make a run for it.
I slapped a smile on my face. “Hi, Lucy.”
“Oh, this is Lucy,” Bowman remarked softly as the woman approached us.
“Gosh, your hair is shiny,” Lucy said as she stroked a long red strand of my hair. “What are you doing to it?”
“Hair mask.”
“Huh.”
Lucy embraced me for a moment, and then pulled back to stare me directly in the eyes. “If you need anything, you let me know. We’re here for you, Salem. Whatever we can do to help. Your grandmother won’t ask. But don’t let that stop you.”
My heart melted in my chest. For all the annoyances of a small town and everyone knowing your business, sometimes it was nice not having to explain the intimate details of your family idiosyncrasies.
Lucy’s hands dropped from my shoulders and her attention turned to Bowman. She raised her brows. “You Salem’s beau?”
I nearly choked on my own tongue, but Bowman smiled and held out his hand to her. “I’m Declan Brewer’s best friend. Please, call me Bowman.”
“Oh.” Lucy beamed and clasped his hand. “I’m a fan of Declan. Welcome to Huckleberry Hill, Bowman.”
“Thank you,” Bowman said.
Lucy looked at me. “Remember what I said, honey. About asking for help.”
“I’ll remember,” I promised. “So, I met Jane . . .”
“Jane,” Lucy repeated.
“My father’s girlfriend,” I supplied.
Lucy looked at her wrist, which was currently devoid of a watch. “See ya later, honey, I gotta go.”
“Go where?” I pressed.
“I have inventory to order.” She shot Bowman a smile. “Take care.”
She whirled and hustled back toward the store.
I looked at Bowman who clearly was about to say something.
“Don’t,” I commanded. “Don’t say anything.”
“I’m not saying a word.” He started to laugh as we walked to the truck. “You’re like the town’s modern-day outlaw. You’re a gunslinger with a temper, aren’t ya?”
I groaned. “Bowman, stop.”
That only made him laugh harder. “If I walk around, will I see your picture on signs in the windows? Is there a reward for turning you in?”
“You’re rotten.”
“And you’re infamous.” He shook his head, and then winked at me. “I have a thing for the wicked.”