When we hit the town limits, Carson doesn’t head toward the library like I expected. Instead, he drives to the edge oftown, pulling up outside a rundown warehouse that used to be a distribution center for farm equipment. It’s been abandoned for years, but rumor has it some tech company bought it recently, planning to turn it into a server farm or something.
I park a block away, watching as Carson gets out of his truck and heads inside, looking over his shoulder twice before slipping through a side door. Interesting choice of location. It must have better internet than his place at the ranch.
Now I need a cover story for being in town. Atlee is working at the pharmacy today, and it’s almost lunchtime. Perfect.
I drive over to Murphy’s General Store, parking right out front where anyone passing by can see my truck. Inside, the store is busy with the usual morning crowd. I make my way to the pharmacy section at the back, nodding at a few people who recognize me.
Atlee is behind the counter, her dark hair pulled back in a neat ponytail, wearing those blue scrubs that somehow make her look both professional and sexy as hell. She’s helping an elderly woman with her medication, her face focused and serious. She hasn’t seen me yet.
I lean against the counter, waiting until she finishes with her customer. When she turns and spots me, her whole face lights up, and damn if that doesn’t do something to my insides.
“Devlin,” she says, surprise and pleasure in her voice. “What are you doing here?”
“Thought I’d take my girl to lunch,” I say, keeping my voice casual despite the warmth spreading through my chest at the way she’s looking at me. “If she can get away for an hour.”
She glances at the clock on the wall. “I was just about to take my break.” Her eyes meet mine, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “Lucky timing.”
“Very lucky,” I agree, watching as she tells her coworker she’s heading out for lunch.
She comes around the counter, and I resist the urge to pull her into my arms right there in the middle of the store. We’re still figuring out what we are to each other, but in this small town, people talk, and with Noah sniffing around, I don’t want to give anyone more ammunition.
“Where are we going?” she asks as we head outside.
“The diner,” I say, placing my hand on the small of her back as we walk to my truck. It’s a possessive gesture, one that marks her as mine to anyone watching. “Thought we could get some of those burgers you like.”
“You remembered,” she says, looking pleased.
We talked about it on our ride together to get the medication for Truett. “I remember everything about you.” The words come out before I can stop them, more honest than I intended.
She blushes, climbing into the passenger seat of my truck. “Smooth talker.”
I grin, closing her door and walking around to my side. As I start the engine, I scan the street, looking for any sign of Noah or his patrol car. Nothing yet.
The diner is the busiest lunch spot in town, which is exactly why I chose it. The more people who see us together, acting like a normal couple, the better. It helps solidify our cover and makes it clear I’m not up to anything suspicious. I’m just a man taking his woman out for a meal.
We’re seated in a booth by the window, prime real estate for being seen. Atlee doesn’t seem to notice my strategic choice of seating, already looking over the menu.
“So,” she says, setting down her menu. “Not that I’m complaining, but what brought this on? You don’t usually show up at work.”
“Can’t a man surprise his woman?” I counter, reaching across the table to take her hand.
She tilts her head, those blue eyes of hers too perceptive for comfort. “He can. But I get the feeling there’s more to it.”
Damn, she’s good. “Maybe I just missed you,” I say, which isn’t a lie. Even though we live together and sleep in the same bed, I find myself thinking about her when we’re apart. It’s pathetic, really, how much I’ve come to need her presence in my life.
Her expression softens. “I missed you too.” She squeezes my hand. “But seriously, is everything okay? After last night with Noah?—”
“Everything’s fine,” I interrupt, not wanting her to worry. “Noah’s just a pain in the ass with a chip on his shoulder.”
She looks like she wants to say more, but the waitress arrives to take our order. As predicted, Atlee gets a burger. I order the same, plus a side of chili fries for us to share.
As we wait for our food, I keep one eye on the door, watching for Noah. It’s his usual lunch hour, and the diner is one of his regular spots. Sure enough, just as our food arrives, the bell above the door jingles and in he walks, uniform crisp, expression sour as usual.
His eyes scan the room, landing on us almost immediately. I feel Atlee tense across from me, her gaze following mine.
“Don’t look,” I murmur, reaching across the table to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. The gesture is intimate, deliberate, meant to be seen. “Just focus on me.”
She nods slightly, but I can see the question in her eyes. I’ll have to explain this later, but for now, I need her to follow my lead.
