Her jaw dropped.Then she laughed."Unbelievable."
I grabbed Rio's lead and returned him to his stall, latching the door with more force than necessary.When I turned back, Lilah stood in the aisle, arms crossed, her weight favoring her left side.
"I need to go into town to pick up feed and a few other things," I said.“You're coming with me."
"I'm what?"
"And I'm buying you lunch at the café."
She blinked."Are you asking me or telling me?"
"Telling."
"Why?"
"Because you're hurt and I don’t trust you to stay out of the arena while I’m gone.”I grabbed my jacket off the hook and shrugged into it."And because I'm hungry.You can join me for lunch or pout in the truck."
"I don't pout."
"Prove it.We’re going town."
The café smelled like bacon grease and fresh coffee.Warmth hit us the second we walked through the door, and I caught Lilah's shoulders drop half an inch like she needed this more than she’d ever admit.
Her movements were careful and cautious.It wasn't obvious, but I'd spent years watching horses compensate for injuries they didn't want to show.People weren't that different.
A few heads turned as we entered.I didn't usually bring anyone to lunch.Hell, I barely ever showed my face at the cafe at all.
"Hey, Dawson."Torin, one of the sheriff's deputies, nodded from a corner booth.
I nodded back as Ashley, one of the regular servers, waved us toward a table near the window.Lilah followed, her stride stiff but controlled.When she slid into her chair, she braced her right arm against the edge of the table.
I pretended not to notice.
Ashley dropped off menus and filled two mugs with coffee."Specials are on the board.I'll give you two a minute."
Lilah wrapped her hands around the mug and stared out the window.Her profile was sharp in the natural light, her jaw set in a way I'd come to recognize that meant she was working through something.
Then she turned toward me with a smile."So, do you come here often?"
I almost teased her about using one of the world's worst pick-up lines but didn't want to encourage anything other than a business relationship between us."Often enough."
"Does Ruby own this place too?"Lilah looked around and I tried to see the café through her eyes… the old, framed news clippings on the wall, cracked vinyl benches, and floorboards worn from years of use.
"No.But she knows the owner."I took a sip of coffee."She knows everyone."
Lilah's mouth curved."I'm starting to figure that out."
The bell above the door chimed.I didn't need to look to know who'd just walked in.Ruby's voice carried without even trying.
"Ashley, sweetheart, I need six orders of the pot roast to go.Orville's got council members coming by tonight, and I'm not cooking."She lifted her head and caught sight of us."Well, look at this."
My gut tightened as Ruby crossed the café, her sight set on our table.
"Dawson.Lilah."She stopped and set her hands on her hips, every hair in place despite the February wind, her sparkly red frames perched on her nose.
"Hi, Ruby."Lilah offered a genuine smile for the first time all day, and the sight nearly knocked me out of my chair.
Ruby's lips spread into a wide grin."Looks like the two of you are getting along nicely."
