Page 5 of Rumors in Bayberry
Chapter Two
Washequietlylaughingat her?
Irritation pumped through her veins.
Sadie drew in a deep breath.Surely, she was wrong.Wasn’t she?
Determined to obtain an answer, she chanced a quick glance in the man’s direction.He appeared to be distracted by the food truck’s menu.She took the opportunity to take a closer look.She noticed that not only was his dark hair short, but it was also closely-cropped on the sides with slightly longer hair on top.It looked like some hair product had been utilized.
His nose was straight and prominent.It was offset by his strong jawline.A bit of scruff trailed down to his squared chin and a well-trimmed mustache resided above his upper lip.
Realizing her quick glance had turned into more of a stare, she quickly jerked her gaze back to his eyes.Was that a bit of amusement dancing in his eyes?Ugh!She was so busted.
But in a blink, the glint in his eyes was gone.She was left with nothing but questions.And those were mounting quickly.
Was he new to town?She knew the answer to this one.He was most definitely new to Bayberry, because if she’d seen him before, she wouldn’t have forgotten him.He was quite handsome.And his eyes were intense.It was like they could see straight through her.
What was he doing in town?That one she didn’t have an answer to.
Did he have a significant other?The thought caused her to swallow wrong, and she began to cough.And it wasn’t just a little cough-cough.No.Of course not.This was one of those coughing fits that made her eyes water.
The man looked at her with concern in his eyes.“Are you all right?Can I get you something?Maybe some water?”
She nodded.She was desperate to stop this cough.She was mortified.She took a drink of cold water.It soothed her throat.
When she regained her composure, she said, “Thank you.”
Juan cleared his throat.“Who wants the burger?”
“The lady can have it.”The man’s voice was deep and rich like a dark chocolate truffle.
She shook her head.After he’d been so kind to her just now, he deserved the burger—even if it was her favorite.“The gentleman can have it.”And just to prove her point, she said, “Instead I’ll have a three-bean street taco.Make that two of them.”
“You know”—the stranger stepped closer—“that sounds really good too.”
Sadie arched a brow at him.Was this his attempt to flirt with her?As she looked at him, he looked back at her with those mysterious dark eyes and half-smile.Her heart pitter-pattered in her chest.
She crossed her arms.“And I suppose if I change my order to chile rellenos, you’ll want those too.”
“Well, now that you mentioned it…” He sent her a teasing grin.“Nah.You can have those.”
“Gee.Thanks.”She wasn’t sure what to make of the man.
“So, who gets the bean burger?”Juan looked at them with confusion written all over this tanned face.
At the same time, they spoke and said the other could have it.
Juan let out a laugh.“You two need to take your show on the road.”With a shake of his head, he said, “I’ve got this.”
After Juan moved from the window to prepare their orders, the stranger leaned toward her and lowered his voice.“What do you think that means?”
Sadie shrugged.“I have absolutely no idea.”And then because she couldn’t contain her curiosity, she asked, “Are you visiting someone in town?”
He shook his head, but he declined to elaborate.
Sadie couldn’t let the subject go.Her curiosity had been piqued, and the reporter in her said to press on.“So, you’re just passing through?”
His brows momentarily rose.“Something like that.”
