Star joins our impromptu huddle, angling her body toward mine and blocking us from view. "There's a lot of history there with Red's wife and all of that. Also can’t forget that Mags has sworn off ever gettin’ married again. There’s a whole thing.”
"I think it's inevitable. As soon as the mountain decides to turn her attention to them, it'll be on," Cora replies before she stills and slams her mouth shut. I narrow my eyes, curious about what she meant about the mountain but before I can ask her about it, Mags clears her throat and pulls out a pad of paper and a pen.
"What can I get y'all tonight?" She looks toward the guys. "Y’all gettin’ your usual?"
Five definitive nods follow. "So that's five corned beef hash, with fries on the side and a beer each. How about you ladies? Dee, I know you’re new to town but somethin’ tells me you’re not new to good food.”
"You’re right there," I say with a nod as I look over the menu. A big part of me wants to find out why the sign outside says 'world-famous corned beef hash'. "I'm thinkin’ I should get the same as the guys. If it’s their usual, then it must be good.”
Mags nods approvingly. “Good choice. You want a beer with it too?”
“That would be great, thanks.”
“I’ll have one too, please. Just without the beer. I’ll have a malt shake instead. Thanks, Mags,” Cora continues.
“Oooh, I like the sound of that,” Star says. “Make that two.”
“Alrighty then. Just saying, y'all are welcome to come down here any ol' time with big orders like that. There are so many of you now that I'm gonna have to get a bigger booth just for you BullMountain Ranchers. Especially if that spirit keeps matching y'all up."
All eyes jerk to Toby who stares at me with big eyes.What is it with these people freaking out about the mountain?
Rhett sends Red an amused look. “Maybe weshouldsponsor a booth. Reserve it for us so that every time we come for dinner, Mags here can fit us in.”
Mags grins, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, if you boys wanna put up a banner or somethin’, I won't stop you. Just don't go thinkin’ you're getting special treatment. You'll still have to wait your turn like everyone else."
"Thirty years of friendship andstillno favors," Red says with a smirk. "Never change, Mags. Never change."
She grins. "Not plannin' on it. What you see is what you get with me, you know that. Anyway, y’all sit tight and your meals will be right out.” She turns to me. “Remember what I said, Dee. Girls lunch and soon, yeah?"
Toby leans across the table. "You better say yes. If Mags likes you, you're stuck with her for life.”
I grin her way. "Sure thing, Mags. I'll be there."
"Awesome. See y'all at the Cow later." Then with a wave over the back of her head and a spin on her heels, she walks away.
"Nice lady," I say. "What did she mean about the mountain, though?
"Long story, maybe we'll tell you at the Cow later after a few brews," Rhett muses.
"Sounds like a crazy mountain people story. Is it one of those, Tobes?" I say, shooting him a pointed look. He shrugs but I don’t miss the way he squirms in his seat. So much so that he almost looks relieved when a waitress appears at our table with a tray full of beers and two malt shakes.
"Saved by the beer," Cora murmurs.These people have some weird thing going on with the mountain. One day I’ll figure out what it is. But not tonight.
When Red slides my beer bottle to me and tips his chin, I let it go. "To a successful first week. Glad you're here with us, Dee."
His toast makes me smile and I lift my drink to touch his. "Glad to be here."
Without thinking about it, my gaze shifts to Toby to find him staring at me, the light in his eyes holding me captive and making my chest feel tight.
When he smiles at me though, I feel the pressure ease.
I don't know why, but I'm glad I'm here too. I'm just not sure why it feels so right yet.But I hope to find out.
8
TOBY
It's getting harder to hold back and take things slow when Dee continues to prove that she's my match in more ways than one.
