“I could eat a bowl of gumbo.” Holly turned and slipped her arm around his waist.
“I like the Cajun-style meatloaf,” Simon said as they walked into the diner and found a booth in the far corner. They ordered their meal and ate in companionable silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
Despite his attempt to ignore what the seer had said, Simon found himself replaying her words over and over in his mind. If it was a prediction of the future, how would it play out? Who were the people he was supposed to trust, and what would they do to betray that trust?
More importantly, what love would stand strong?
He stared across the table at Holly, her auburn hair falling down around her shoulders. Beautiful, passionate and determined to learn the truth. Was she the love the seer spoke of?
Did he love Holly?
He desired her, but was that love?
She glanced up, caught him looking at her and frowned. “Do I have gumbo on my face?” she asked, dabbing her napkin over her mouth.
He smiled, loving the sparkle in her green eyes and the way her forehead wrinkled when she was thinking hard. “Maybe a little,” he lied and reached out to brush his thumb across her lips. “There. Got it.”
“Thanks.” She set her napkin on the table. “I wish I didn’t have to work tonight.”
“Can’t you call in sick?” Simon asked.
She shook her head. “Can’t. It’s all hands on deck. There’s a motorcycle rally in town tonight. Rene is going to need every waitress available. He expects the Crawdad Hole to be packed. Standing room only.” She sighed. “At least I’ll be so busy, it will make the night pass quickly. I just feel bad for you.”
“Why?”
Her lips twisted. “It can’t be fun hanging out all evening in a crowded bar.”
Depending on the nature of the motorcycle clubs that would be there, he might have to be especially on his toes to keep Holly safe. He shrugged nonchalantly. “I can handle it.” He hoped he was right. It might be a night to ask for reinforcements from his teammates.
They finished their meals, paid the ticket, drove to the edge of town and parked behind the Crawdad Hole Bar and Grill.
Simon leaned across the console and took Holly’s hand in his. “Are you going to be all right tonight?”
She pressed his palm to her cheek. “I’ll be fine. Thanks for caring.” Then she pressed her lips into his palm. “I’d better get inside. The parking lot is already starting to fill.”
Simon followed her into the building and staked his claim on a barstool at the end of the bar, where he had his back to the wall and a good line of sight that encompassed the area Holly would work.
Within the next two hours, the place filled with men in leather jackets, their arms, necks and any other exposed skin covered in tattoos. For the most part, the MC members were respectful of the waitresses. Not once did they try to cop a feel or grab Holly.
Still, Simon remained tense, ready to launch into action should Holly need him.
She worked the crowd, taking orders, carrying heavy trays of drinks, all the while smiling at customers.
At one point, Simon offered to carry a tray for her, but she shook her head. “I’ve got this.”
Simon remained on his barstool, feeling guilty that he wasn’t helping.
Rene slapped a plastic tub on the bar in front of Simon. “If you want to help, go collect the empties.”
Simon gave the bar owner a nod. “Thanks.”
Rene laughed. “Don’t thank me. I’m not paying you.”
With a laugh, Simon took the tub and worked his way through the tightly-packed tables, collecting the empty bottles, mugs and plates. He was sure to keep Holly in his peripheral vision, always aware of where she was and who was around her.
When Cody West pushed through the entrance, Simon frowned.
He’d prefer dealing with the motorcycle clubs over Cody any day.
