Listening in bemusement, Colt slurped his float until Jack returned. “Was that even English?”
“Diner lingo. It helps us keep track of the orders.”
“By the time you memorize all that gibberish, couldn’t you just memorize theactualmenu?”
“I wouldn’t expect such a refined culinary student to understand,” Jack goaded, plucking the dish towel from the counter to resume drying.
“Nor would I want to,” Colt countered with a laugh, scooping a spoonful of thick, frothy ice cream.
For the next few minutes, he enjoyed his float in silence, serenaded by the sounds of chatter supplied by the surplus of patrons, numerous clinking glasses, and the subdued country music funneled through speakers mounted in the wood plank ceiling. It figured Jack would decorate the place exactly like his own home—rustic charm without all the charm. The only elements not made of reclaimed wood, metal, and leather, were covered in his signature red flannel. While the look worked on some level, the decor could use a woman’s touch.
The reflection led Colt’s thoughts to one woman in particular.
“You know who I’mreallysurprised is still single?” Colt broached the question as though they’d never changed the subject.
“Let me guess… Penny?”
Colt chose to ignore Jack’s smirk and pressed on. “Why do you think she isn’t dating anyone?”
“Beats me. She dated a guy from Primrose Valley a couple of years ago. But it ended after a few months.”
An irrational jolt of jealousy shot through him, but Colt quickly squelched it. “What’s his story?”
“Some fancy art collector. He seemed nice enough. Bought a painting from her shop, and I guess they hit it off.”
“Why do you think it didn’t work out?”
Jack paused. Tossing the rag over his shoulder, he leveled his gaze on Colt. “Why do you want to know? Don’t tell me you’re still interested in Penny.”
“Of course not,” Colt snorted. “I had a brief moment of insanity when I almost asked her out at the reception. I blame it on the voodoo wedding vibes.”
“Are you sure?” Jack frowned, looking unconvinced.
“Look, a relationship would cramp my lifestyle. And besides, she’s about as unadventurous as they come. Trust me, I have zero interest in Penny.”
Somewhat appeased, Jack returned to his dish towel and damp soda glasses, while Colt’s thoughts drifted to the night of Luke’s wedding when he and Penny shared a slow, intimate dance.
He’d been surprised by how perfectly she’d fit in his arms. And how easily the conversation flowed. She’d made him feel—
Abruptly, Colt cleared his throat.
Uh-uh… no way….
He wouldnotgo down that road again.
Dating was out of the question.
Especially Penny Heart—the Queen of Caution.
Chapter 6
Her heart fluttering, Penny glanced at one of three grandfather clocks in her antiques store, Thistle & Thorn. Colt would darken her doorway any minute to go over their ideas for the top five thrilling adventures in Poppy Creek. She had a feeling he’d disagree with everything on her list, but she planned to stand her ground. And make it unequivocally clear she didn’t care what he thought.
So, why had she spent the last hour straightening her shop, making sure each item was displayed in the most appealing arrangement possible before his arrival?
After all, so what if he found her method of organization strange and disorderly? What appeared cluttered and discordant to some had perfect symmetry in her mind. She arranged the shelves based on feeling, instinctively knowing which objects should go where—she never questionedwhy. And she never failed to help a customer find exactly the right treasure, even when they didn’t know they were looking for it.
But she had a feeling Colt would take one glance at her hodgepodge store and think she had a screw loose. Or at the very least, that she was a discombobulated mess.
