Page 27 of The Pieces We've Lost

Haha that’s funny!

I knew he would appreciate it. It was a fairly decent marketing strategy, too, naming your business something ridiculous that would make people ask questions and get them talking. The Legless Cow had been there forever. But when you made food as delicious as theirs, it wasn’t hard to keep people coming through the doors.

“What are you smiling about?” I had almost forgotten Isa was with me.

Wow. Never thought I’d be that type of girl, so engrossed in a conversation with a man.

“The Legless Cow.” I snorted.

“I love that place. Great marketing strategy too. Wait, why were you talking about The Legless Cow?”

“We may or may not be going there in a couple of days.” I chose my words carefully.

Isa squealed and started jumping around excitedly. “See! Itoldyou texting him was a good idea! Ibetterbe the Maid of Honor in y’all’s wedding.”

“Whoa, hold on. Nobody saidanythingabout getting married. We’re two friends, if you can even call us that, getting lunch.” That was it. Isa was absolutelydelusional.I loved her, but she was crazy. She had no problems attracting dates, so of course she chose to expend all of her hopeless romantic energy on me, the girl who avoided relationships.

“I’m calling it right now. Whether you believe me or not is up to you, but I have a good feeling about this.” She giggled.

The Legless Cow was a small burger joint in the suburbs on the way out of Houston toward the area where my family lived. It was started back in the thirties by a husband and wife who were both ranchers. When they died, they passed it along to their kids, and it has stayed in that family forever. It had an old diner type feel with its candy apple red booths and homey, welcoming atmosphere. It was my parents’ favorite place to take me as a kid.

I slid into a booth near the back corner. Not forromantic reasons. I simply didn’t need people to overhear our conversations.

I shot Colter a text.

I’m here. At a booth in the back, but no rush

Less than a minute after I sent the text, he walked into the doors of the diner and spotted me. He gave me a goofy grin and walked up next to the table.

“This seat taken?” He winked.

Such a charmer. Classic cowboy.I playfully rolled my eyes and gestured for him to sit. He slid into the booth next to me.

“What are you doing?”

“I need to sit facing the door,” he replied simply, as if it was the obvious answer.

“Let me get out then. I’m not sitting on the same side as you.” When he didn’t move, I glared at him. I tilted my head and gestured for him to move. All I got in response was a couple blinks.

“Oh my God. You’re insufferable.” If he wasn’t going to move, I would take matters into my own hands. I slid under the table and popped up on the other side with an annoyed look on my face.

“All you had to say was please, and I would have moved.” He shrugged, his eyes glinting with mischief.

If looks could kill, Colter Carson would have keeled over right there in that booth.

“Hi, y’all! Welcome to The Legless Cow. My name’s Lauren, and I’ll be taking care of y’all today. Do you know what you’d like to drink?”

Perfect timing. If she had waited three more seconds tocome over, I might have strangled Colter, and that probably wouldn’t have looked good for business.

“Ladies first.” He nodded at me.

“Could I get a water, please?” I smiled sweetly at our server while Colter ordered an iced tea.

“Absolutely, I’ll be right back with those drinks.”

“So, what’s the best thing to get here?” Colter was reading his menu intently. The specialty was obviously the burgers, but they also served all day breakfast, had the best milkshakes, and had a variety of options for people whose preference wasn’t beef.

“I always get the Breakfast of Champions Burger.” It was a 1/3-pound burger with bacon, a fried egg, and whatever other toppings you wanted. “I also always get a chocolate milkshake.”

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