Hazel eyes gleamed with interest as he picked up his fork. “Not unless you changed your mind about the dance next Saturday.”
She forced herself not to look at Max, even as she felt those penetrating eyes focusing on her. Cade was attractive enough, with thick, tawny-gold hair that tapered neatly to his collar and fair skin that magnified the rich hazel color of his eyes. A dimple in his left cheek drew attention away from a thin, cynical mouth. But he was a player looking for his next mark. It would not be her. “I have to work.”
“Get someone to swap with you.”
“I can’t.”
The arrival of her landlord, Tom Jenkins, who took the table behind and to the left of where the two men sat, ended the discussion. All thoughts of dates or male companions vanished in a cloud of anxiety-ridden mental dust. Please don’t mention the rent right now. Not where they might hear.
“Afternoon, Ms. Ward,” said the older man. “How are you today?”
She clutched the menu tightly to her chest. “I’m fine, sir. And you?”
“Cold weather is hard on these old bones, but otherwise doing good.”
“Do you need a menu?”
“No, just some coffee and a piece of pecan pie.” He looked toward the two men at the counter. “Howdy, Max, Cade.”
Cade looked at the newcomer. “How’s the world of real estate today, Tom?”
The two men entered into a casual discussion of the ins and outs of real estate, and Sky breathed a sigh of relief. For now.
“I got the pipes wrapped,” said Max as she refilled his coffee. “And fixed a loose step on the back.”
From the corner of her eye, she noted Cade’s head jerk back toward her. “Thank you, Max, but you didn’t have to do the step, too.”
He shrugged. “No big deal. Maddie helped.” He sipped his coffee and added, “Gail said it was okay for her come over.” One corner of his mouth turned up in what sufficed as a smile. “Besides, I needed to earn my next batch of cookies.”
“I hope she didn’t pester you too much. She can be a bit… inquisitive.”
Dark, haunted eyes met hers, and for a moment, time stopped. Something flashed between them, an almost imperceptible moment of connection. Emotions, tangled and fleeting, bombarded her. Pain, fear, hope, resignation. And in the blink of an eye, it was gone.
He rose and placed some money on the counter. “No problem. She’s a good kid. I’ll see you later.”
Before she could recover enough to breathe again, he was out the door.
“How do you know Max?”
Cade’s curt question drew her back from the edge. “He’s my neighbor.”
“Evidently a good one.”
The tone of his voice perturbed her, and she turned toward him
He pushed the coffee cup forward to refill. “Just be careful around him.”
Immediately, her ire ignited. “Excuse me?”
He held both hands up in a take-it-easy gesture. “I just know he’s had a hard time since he got back. Guys like him…”
“Guys like him?” She planted one hand on her hip. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Pale cheeks showing a tinge of red, Cade continued. “Look, I’m not trying to get in your kitchen—”
“You could have fooled me.”
“I’m just saying you should be careful around him. Especially with the kid. He’s a loose cannon.”
“How do you know that?”
He picked up his cup and blew across the top. “Went to high school with him. Always had a chip on his shoulder, begging someone to knock it off.”
And I bet you were in line to try.
“He’s bad news. Stay away from him.”
She bristled and was saved from embarrassing herself when Mr. Jenkins rose and headed for the register. Jaw clamped tight, she plopped the coffee pot on the burner and went to take his money.
“I do believe Ruby makes the best pecan pie in the county.” The older man’s eyes were sincere and kind. “But don’t tell my Ethel I said so.”
Forcing a calmness she didn’t really feel, she smiled. “Your secret is safe with me.”
He placed money on the counter, and she handed him his change.
She glanced around, then lowered her voice. “I’ll have the rent money next week, Mr. Jenkins.”
He nodded, then stopped in the process of turning toward the door. “Max is one of the good ones,” he said softly, then walked out before she could reply.
