“By way of Marty’s Garage? See what he’s up to?” Teasing Tina about Marty had become a thing between them.
“Marty’s? What are you implying?” But there was a saucy grin on her lips. “Keep it up and I’ll dock the cost of the tires from your check.”
When he sent the bill for Elizabeth’s tires, he’d charged her his cost and no labor. And there was a little tiny heart by his signature.
“Now who’s living in Denialville, Tina? Huh?” Elizabeth laughed as her boss and friend flashed her palm and walked away.
“I’d fire you if I didn’t love you so much! And I need you Fourth of July weekend.”
The Fourth was a big deal in Hearts Bend. People came from all over to attend the celebration on Scott’s Farm—now owned by the Castle family. Vendors applied months in advance to sell their art, craft, clothes, antiques, and, best of all, food. Local and Nashville music acts graced a giant stage with live music. There were games, bounce houses, and pony rides.
“Am I here or the farm?” Elizabeth said.
“I think I’ll send you to the farm. I’m getting too old to stand in the heat and grill burgers. Lucy and D’Angelo can go with you. Okay, I’m leaving. Night all.” Tina’s voice faded as the door closed behind her.
So, Elizabeth would finally get to see the Fourth of July celebration. As a teen, she’d worked the diner while Tina and her sons manned the food truck at the farm. She, Lucy, and D’Angelo would make a good team. Even if those two were googly-eyed in love.
Look, she wasn’t opposed to love. She was a red-blooded woman, after all. She believed relationships and commitment were an important part of being human. But she was three years off her planned goals, and if she didn’t achieve them, she’d be a failure. Like she’d let Epstein–Barr win. The very idea made her anxious and out of sorts.
She was about to run the final evening tickets when there was a commotion from the dining room. Will and Jeff were moving toward the counter with a banged-up Ryder between them. He walked with a limp, and his arm was in a sling. Cuts and bruises marked his august face, and his hands were scratched and swollen, like he’d rolled through a briar patch.
“You found him.” Elizabeth set aside the receipts and pushed through the kitchen door. “Thank goodness. Ryder, are you all right?”
“He ran into a tree chasing a couple of loggers,” Jeff said, easing Ryder down on one of the counter stools.
“I didn’t run into a tree.” Ryder leaned over the counter until his forehead rested on the vintage Formica. “Food.”
“We found him way out on Wade Reed Road. If he hadn’t managed to get in a clearing, we’d still be looking.” Jeff sat at the counter. “Can we get three burger platters?”
“Yes, of course.” Elizabeth glanced at Will’s somber expression. “Why isn’t he at the hospital?”
“Just got back from there,” Ryder said, his forehead still on the counter.
“He’s got a slight concussion, banged-up knee and arm, bruises, and cuts. Nothing too serious. He’s lucky.”
“What happened?” Elizabeth said, punching in the order.
“Ryder’s a bit fuzzy,” Jeff said, “but remembers coming up on a couple of guys cutting down trees while mending a fence. He went after them but?—”
“I did not run into a tree. There’s a ravine. I went down it. Then I ran into a tree. Many trees. Lost my phone and sidearm.” Ryder slowly sat up. The accident hadn’t damaged his humor. “Where are we at on those burgers?”
“Coming up.” Elizabeth poured tall glasses of sweet tea and water. “Are you sure you want a burger?”
“I’ve been dreaming of one all afternoon.”
In the kitchen, she slapped the burgers on the grill and dropped a large basket of fries. Ryder was hurt. Then she dished out coleslaw and garnished the plates with spear pickles, lettuce, tomato, and onion. Ryder was hurt. She’d been more worried than she’d realized. Which she’d never confess to Tina. Ryder was hurt.
And he lived alone. Who would take care of him?
When she came around the kitchen door with their platters, Ryder whispered, “Thank you.”
“How long were you out there? They said you were shot.”
“I don’t remember any gunfire. Too busy rolling down the ravine,” he said, draining his glass in one long gulp. “I was out there about eight hours, and my ego is more damaged than my body.”
“Someone was out there trying to illegally log trees,” Jeff said, ending a call and setting down his phone with a nod of thanks to Elizabeth.
“They’ll blame me,” Ryder said. “My boss thinks I let loggers in without a contract. But I never talked to any loggers.” He bit into his burger and slowly chewed. “My teeth hurt.”
