Page 45 of Tumbleweed Temptation
Interesting. Oh, but maybe he wanted to see the band. She looked up at the three piece group.
“Are they from here?” Austin asked.
“No, I don't know them. Maybe from Kimmel.”
“I wonder how much they get paid.”
She cast him a side-eye. “Why? You ready to moonlight? You have musical skills I don't know about?”
“Gin, we were in band together.”
She rolled her eyes. “I don't think Hailey hires the woodwind section, Austin.”
“Well, yeah. I was just wondering if the gig pays enough to drive over from Kimmel.”
“There aren’t a lot of places to play in the area, so they drive where they can get a gig.”
He shrugged, then took a sip of his beer, nudging the plate of nachos toward her with his free hand. She shook her head.
“I had a big lunch before I left work. I’m going to copy Sofia’s notes into my notebook, kind of a master list. I would really like for us to spring this to the public next weekend, go to the churches, give a little spiel, get people fired up.” She eyed his nearly empty beer. “Rough day?”
“Had to do a pelvic exam on Miss Mainka. Mrs. Bryant, now.”
Gin felt a grin spread across her face. “Oh my God, I remember the crush you had on her.”
“I did not,” he said automatically, though his face reddened with the denial.
“Everyone knew you did. You went out of your way to please her, to do things for her. I mean, of course she was young and beautiful.”
“Still is.” He sighed. “She was always my ideal woman. Smart and funny and sweet. Have you met her husband?”
“Yeah, they come into the diner on Sundays, usually. He’s worthy of her, don't worry.”
“Yeah, I didn't think she’d settle. Anyway, I need another beer. You?”
She shook her head as he stood, and turned her attention back to Sofia’s scribble.
“Hey, what are you working on?” Javi asked, dropping to the bench across from her and helping himself to a nacho.
“Just a community project Austin came up with.”
“Yeah? Like what?”
“Not ready to say.” Even though it was hardly a secret, since Sofia, Poppy and Lacey all knew.
“Band’s pretty good.”
She raised exasperated eyes to him, wanting to concentrate on the task at hand. “Are you here with someone?”
“Nah, just stopped in for a beer, saw you and Austin here. I’m not interrupting anything, am I?” He raised his eyebrows.
She scowled. “What would you be interrupting?”
“Well, if you didn't have all this paperwork spread out in front of you, I’d think maybe a date.”
“I don't date. You know that.” She’d rejected him personally. More than once.
“I did know that. Wondered if you might have changed your script based on Austin. You two always were butting heads.”
