Page 35 of Chaotic Curse
“Make that two,” Hank says.
I peruse the menu.The big American breakfast is eggs, bacon, sausage patties, hashbrowns, and buttermilk pancakes.That’s a lot of food, and my appetite has kind of been crap lately, but when in Rome…
“Make it three,” I say.
“Great.”She writes our orders down on her pad.“How do you like your eggs?”
“Scrambled for me,” George says.
“Same.”From Hank.
“Over easy.”
“Got it.We’ll have that out for you in just a few minutes.”She whisks away.
I turn back to the brothers.“So tell me about yourself, George.Ted never mentioned much about the two of you, other than that he was the middle child.”
“I’m the drywall king,” George says, chuckling.“But I’m guessing you already know that.”
“Your reputation precedes you,” I say.
“But I’ve been married to Maggie for nearly twenty years, and we’ve got two kids, Dottie and Ted.”
My ears perk up.“Named for your brother?”
“Yeah.Ted’s fourteen.Was born shortly after his namesake died.”
“And you?”I ask Hank.He’s dressed in a suit.
“Never married,” he says.“I’m an attorney in downtown Austin.”
“Good, good.”
Hank looks at his watch—a Rolex.“I do have a meeting pretty soon, so I’m not going to be able to stay terribly long.Long enough to eat that big American breakfast though.”
George chuckles.“If there’s one thing the Tucker boys never turn down, it’s a free meal.”
Our waitress returns with our meals.
Hank gives her a wink.“This looks delicious, sweetheart.”
Ah, not married.I can see why.Already I can tell he’s a lifelong bachelor and a big flirt.
“Looks delicious,” I agree, smiling.
The waitress blushes.“You enjoy your meal, gentlemen.”
Hank shakes his head.“I’ve got to tell you, she’s a cutie, but I don’t stand a chance next to those baby blues of yours.”
Right.My eyes.I’m the only one of five children to inherit my father’s blue eyes.
“Yeah, you’re something, Dirkwood,” George says.“Not that I check out men on a regular basis or anything.”
“My mother’s Mexican, and my father’s white.I’m the only one who inherited his blue eyes.”
“I’d bet your siblings are mighty envious,” Hank says.
Hank’s a nice-looking man.He doesn’t look much like Ted at all.Only in the eyes.Ted had nice eyes.Warm and brown.
