“Yes, ma’am.”
Just then, the door opened, and Gail Brown stood there smiling down at them.
“Hello, Max. I hope Maddie wasn’t a bother to you.”
He stood and shook his head. “No problem, ma’am.”
“Didn’t talk your ear off, did she?” she asked with a smile.
He glanced at Maddie. “No, ma’am. She was fine.”
“I haven’t thanked you for wrapping those pipes for us. Or for fixing the leaky faucet in the kitchen. Frank’s back is much better, but he still can’t stand for very long.” Her expression softened with a heartfelt smile. “You’re a good man, Max. I wish you’d let me pay you for your trouble.”
He shrugged off her gratitude. “No problem, ma’am. If I can do anything else for you, let me know.” He looked at Maddie. “Next time Bobby tries to get your attention, Tink, talk to him. See what he has to say.”
Her smile melted his heart.
“Roger that.”
Sky couldn’t stop thinking about how Max looked when he smiled at Maddie and softly called her Tink. Everything about him changed. The rock-hard soldier became soft and approachable. Dark, perpetually hooded eyes were open and warm. His deep, masculine voice softened and hinted at a hidden, gentler part of him.
A part that suddenly intrigued her.
“I think Max will do just fine for your male companion.” Maddie’s parting statement as she dropped her off at Gail’s house kept playing through her mind.
The more she tried to ignore it, the harder it persisted. Maybe she did need a male companion. Maybe it was time she put some emphasis on her own needs. She declined each time anyone asked her out, mainly because she worried about how Maddie would react, but also because the ones doing the asking didn’t interest her.
Max, on the other hand, interested her on a totally unexpected level.
Now that the seed was planted, she struggled with what to do about it. “Nothing. That’s what I’ll do,” she chastised herself. “Nothing. I have too much to deal with as it is.”
She parked behind the diner and hurried inside. Saturday afternoons were typically slow, but, hopefully, things would pick up later.
She donned her apron and walked out front.
“Hey, Sky,” said Ruby Sloan, the owner. “Everything all right? You look a little down in the dumps.”
“I’m good. A little distracted today.” By dark brown eyes and a haunting smile.
“Blue’s not acting up again is he?”
“No. He’s fine.” She saw no reason to elaborate. “Where do you want me?”
“You got it alone till four. Bethany called in sick, and Louise can’t come till then.”
“No problem. Things are usually slow this time of day.”
“I’ll be in the back making pies if you need me.”
The next hour flew by as a few locals came in for afternoon pie and coffee. A couple of travelers wandered in as well, which meant slow tips.
The tinkle of the bell over the door announced another customer. Without looking around from her task of making coffee, she called out over her shoulder, “Sit wherever you like. I’ll be right with you.”
Coffee started, she turned to find Max sitting at one of the stools at the counter. Every rapid beat of her heart sounded in her ears as she moistened suddenly dry lips. “Hey.” Really? That’s the best you got?
In his usual way, he simply nodded and didn’t answer.
“What can I get for you?”
“Just coffee.”
She placed the cup in front of him and started to ask about the pipes when another customer walked in.
Cade Jackson, a local businessman, headed for the counter.
Oh, just great. Why him? Why now? The man had been asking her out for weeks, not the least bit put off by her refusals.
“Afternoon, Skylar,” he said as he sat a stool away from Max, placing his black Stetson on the seat beside him.
“What can I get for you, Cade?”
“Usual.”
“Coffee and apple pie coming up.”
She placed the order in front of him. “Anything else?”
