Page 4 of The Cowboy and His Beauty
I think about what my mom said. I get the feeling she isn't telling me something, but I believe her when she says they haven't talked or interacted. My parents don't much care for any of the ranchers and prefer to stick to the “lake people,”—those who live on the lake and have money.
By lunch, I still can't get him out of my head, so I do the next best thing you can in a small town. I head in to have lunch at the diner and talk to Jenna and Austin.
Where Sarah and I have been friends since early Elementary School, Jenna became friends with us during the past few years when Sarah was working with her at the diner. Austin and I have become friends since Jenna took over running the diner for her aunt.
One thing I love about Jenna is that she always greets you like you’re the best friend she hasn't seen in years—and today is no different. You’d think I was a celebrity when I walk into the café.
"Oh, my god, Sky! You're in town!" she squeals, stopping what she's doing and running over to give me a huge hug.
This causes everyone in the diner to look my way, giving me small nods of acknowledgment. I grew up here, and most of them remember me from school or when I was in diapers.
"Please tell me you're going to stay for lunch. I'm due for a lunch break and I would love to catch up," Jenna says when she finally pulls back and lets me breathe again.
"I definitely plan on staying. I'm starving and there are a few things I want to ask you about, if that's okay."
"Of course! Grab a table. I’ll put in our order and we can chat when the food comes out."
I place my order without even looking at the menu. The diner had been around for years and everyone in town has their favorite foods.
As I wait for my food, I look around the place. It hasn't changed much since I was a kid. Austin has kept the traditional decor but has recovered the vinyl seats on all the chairs. The booths are still red, but they're all brand new.
The place is a lot cleaner than when Lee was running it. He was fired after he put his hands on Sarah and Cal and his brothers stepped in. Turns out things ran a lot deeper than anyone thought, and he’d been stalking her with her parents' help. We have Ben to thank for helping to lock him up.
Sarah and I went to school with Ben, who’s a cop. He owns a small house outside town and he’s done great things for Walker Lake.
I notice some new photos on the wall from around town. I'm pretty sure they’re by Austin's sister, Natalie, who waited tables here until she married her husband.
"All right, here's our food. I can't even tell you what perfect timing this is. I’m starving. What did you want to know about?" Jenna asks.
"I was wondering about someone in town that I haven't seen before."
"Ask away and I'll fill in any blanks I can," she says as she takes a big bite of her burger.
While Jenna eats, I fill her in on my trip to the grocery store earlier and what the cashier said about “The Beast.” I tell her how he seemed vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place him. I explain how I thought my mom was holding something back and didn't want me asking about him.
"It could all be in my head, but it has me curious as to who he is."
"You and everyone else in town, girl. I can tell you what I know for sure. He's new to town. Showed up a year ago, and took over the Michael's ranch. The rest is speculation and gossip."
Damn.
Him working at the Michael's Ranch complicates things. I dated their son all through high school. I was so in love with him and certain we would end up together. Corey and I had great plans after high school, but then he joined the military and ended things.
I take a deep breath and push him out of my head. No point in going down that road.
"Any updates with the Michael's son, Corey?" I ask, trying to figure out if I can even go to the ranch.
"I’ve never met him, but I haven't heard a word about him being home or anything other than what I know via you." Jenna shrugs and pushes her long, dark brown hair over her shoulder.
Austin steps up to the table and sits down next to Jenna, stealing one of her fries. "Who are we gossiping about?"
"Who says we’re gossiping?" Jenna pretends to be offended.
"Sky has her gossip face on. Besides, it's Walker Lake. Two girls together mean gossip. So, let's hear it," Austin says with a smile.
"Sky was asking about Dash. She ran into him at the store yesterday," Jenna explains, filling Austin in on our conversation.
"He took over the ranch not long after he came to town. The Michaels decided to retire and travel in an RV. They were in Maine last I heard," Austin says.
