Page 2 of Hard Knock Hero

“Is something wrong?” I was getting slightly concerned.

“Justhold on.”

I listened for voices, but heard none. It seemed to just be her back there. After another moment, the woman raced out of the kitchen, leaving the door swinging behind her. “Can I help you?”

She wore a plain white apron over jeans. A sweater with the sleeves pushed up to her elbows. A stray strand of dark hair tickled her cheek, and she pushed it away with a blow of her lips. The rest of her hair was gathered into a ponytail that trailed down her back.

Maybe mid-twenties. Pretty.

“Are you Jessi?” I asked.

One foot stepped back, her jaw going hard. “Why?”

I sat back, lifting my hands. Wow. She was wary as hell of me. I’m a big guy, but I didn’t think I’d done anything threatening. Except exist and wear my typical non-smiling expression, which some people may have calledgrumpyin the past. I thoughtneutralwas more fair.

She was a woman alone, though, so I tried to be sympathetic.

“Just curious, since you seem to be both the back and the front of the house.” I gestured at the quiet diner, most of which was behind me. Then my gaze met hers again. “I was instructed to ask about the specials.”

Her long lashes blinked. “Excuse me?”

I tapped my finger on the menu.Please ask about our daily specials.

“Oh. A joke?” Her mouth twitched. “You might want to work on your delivery.”

“Just trying to lighten the mood in here. If you want me to get dinner somewhere else, I can.” Maybe. If there was anyplace else in Hartley except the gas station, and I was beginning to wonder.

She exhaled, shoulders sagging. Unwinding a notch or two. “Sorry. I’m a little tense.”

“Because of the storm? Or your lack of patrons?”

A smirk. “So many reasons to choose from.”

“Nowthatwas a joke. I see how it’s done.”

“Glad you’re catching on.” Her smirk broadened into an almost-smile.

I changed my mind. She wasverypretty.

“I am, in fact, Jessi. The special today is lamb stew.”

“Is that what I’m smelling right now? Red wine, thyme, garlic. And…fennel?”

Her focus on me sharpened. “You got it.”

“Then I’ll have that. Plus a cup of coffee.”

“Room for cream?”

“Nope. Black. And keep the refills coming.”

She walked over behind the counter and poured a mug. “Long night ahead,” she remarked. It wasn’t a question.

“Looking that way. I’m waiting for whatever’s blocking up the highway to clear out.”

Jessi hummed as she set the mug in front of me, and I heard skepticism in the sound. But she didn’t elaborate on whatever she was thinking. “Where are you heading?”

“Not here.”

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