Page 45 of Highball Rush
I still sayshe’s a mail-order bride.
Callie stifleda giggle with her hand. “Mail-order bride?”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t know where they got that one.”
“About that. I’ve been meaning to ask, did you find me in the online catalog, or the print version?”
“Print,” I said, not missing a beat. “Your hair really stood out on that glossy paper.”
She fluffed her hair out. “Ah, so it was my mermaid hair that sucked you in.”
God, Callie, everything about you is sucking me in.“Must have been.”
“Well, I’m glad you picked me. Although if I’m a mail-order bride, where’s my ring?” She held out her left hand, fingers splayed.
Clarabell stopped at our table right as Callie saidwhere’s my ring. “That’s a good question, sweetie.” She lowered her voice, as if somehow that was going to keep Callie from hearing. “Gibs, if you’re fixin’ to pop the question to your lady, let me know. We can hide the ring in her dessert.”
“Simmer down, Clarabell, that won’t be necessary.”
Callie stifled another giggle.
Clarabell shrugged. “Suit yourself. But if you ask me, not enough of y’all are getting engaged in my diner. It’s a perfectly romantic spot.”
“Has anyone gotten engaged here?” Callie asked.
“Sure have. Ricky Grant proposed to Susannah Varney right there where you’re sitting.”
“That must have been twenty-five years ago,” I said.
“Most likely,” she said with a smile. “It was an exciting day.”
“That’s sweet,” Callie said.
Clarabell took our empty plates. “Sweet as my strawberry rhubarb pie. Speaking of, can I get you two lovebirds some dessert?”
Lovebirds? Jesus. “No. Just the check so we can get out of here.”
“All right, don’t get your britches in a bunch.” She glanced at Callie. “You sure, sweetie? I have some lemon meringue pie that’s a little slice of heaven.”
“Thanks, but dinner was so good, I couldn’t eat another bite.”
Clarabell smiled and went to get our check. I took some money out of my wallet and dropped it on the table. It was more than enough for dinner and a nice tip. Too big of a tip, what with Clarabell’s questions about rings and engagements. But I just wanted to get out of Moonshine.
Callie put a hand to her stomach while we walked to my truck. “I’m so full, but it was so worth it.”
“Glad you enjoyed it.”
“What’s next? Bonfire at Scarlett’s?”
“That’s the plan.” I opened the truck door for her again. Kinda wished it was my Charger. She’d look damn good in the front seat of my baby.
We drove down to Scarlett’s place, a little postage-stamp-sized cottage on the lake. Because she was Scarlett, it was cute. And although she and Devlin were pretty cramped living there together, her little scrap of beach was great for a bonfire.
I parked among the cars and trucks already here. We got out and wandered down to the beach. Music played from someone’s stereo, there were two coolers full of beer, and a whole mess of people stood, sat, laughed, danced, and drank around the fire.
Jameson was dragging what was basically a tree trunk toward the already large bonfire. Bowie and Buck helped him hoist it onto the pile, sending a flurry of sparks into the sky.
I said the requisite hellos to my sister and Devlin. Scarlett squealed with excitement and made sure to address Maya by name—loudly. Leah Mae and Cassidy were more subtle, greeting her with friendly hugs.
