Her restaurant was in a grand refurbished historical building on a small hill nestled at the edge of dense woods. The onetime dry goods store supposedly had a speakeasy hidden in the basement during Prohibition. Daphne Charlene had turned the place into a relaxed eating establishment where any and all, from prom attendees dressed to the nines to simple farm folk, could come in and be comfortable.
Wyatt tried to like Daphne Charlene for his parents’ sake, but certainly not in a romantic way. Yes, she was beautiful. Yes, she was smart. Yes, she was successful. Yes, he was still in love with Valene, no matter how many fabulous attributes his father mentioned about Daphne Charlene on any given day.
Unfortunately, Daphne Charlene liked Wyatt way too much for his comfort. Lately, she’d been finding ways to corner him, trying to kiss him or get him to kiss her, even in public. His polite deflection tactics were running low. He wasn’t sure what he’d do when he ran out completely. Physically pushing her away was not something he felt comfortable doing.
Another patrol cruiser pulled into the nearly empty parking lot. Sheriff Hunter Valero, Wyatt’s counterpart in nearby Old Coot and his best friend, got out of his car and approached.
Hunter had lived in Arkansas all his life, whereas Wyatt had moved down from up north, in Minnesota, when he was a kid. But that didn’t matter. Everyone in Arkansas treated him like he’d always been here.
His friend took a look around at the chili-splattered folks, eyed Daphne Charlene standing way too close to Wyatt, and then Valene a few steps away. A mischievous smile shaped his mouth.
Hunter was of the opinion that when you fell in love, that was it. Didn’t matter who it was, no one else would do. Several months back, Wyatt figured he’d lean on his buddy for a little moral support. Without naming Valene, he hemmed and hawed and finally confided he had a secret girlfriend. Hunter laughed. “It’s not a secret, dude.”
Taken aback, Wyatt said, “Sure it is. You don’t know who it is.”
“I do so. You’re in love with Valene Grey.”
He’d been shocked into momentary silence. After several quiet seconds, he asked, “How do you know that?”
“Last month I saw you two making googly eyes at each other.”
“Where?”
“Baseball game.”
Wyatt shook his head. “We didn’t sit together.”
“No. But you spent the entire game gawking at each other and sending longing looks across the field.”
“Who else knows?”
Hunter shrugged. “Don’t know. Maybe no one noticed but me.”
“Why did you notice?”
“Maybe I did because you’re like a brother to me.” Wyatt knew the admission was nothing but the truth. Hunter’s father was a military hero who died when his son was a baby. Hunter’s mother never remarried, so he appreciated the value of family, blood or not.
Since Wyatt had four sisters, Hunter was the brother he’d never had.
“Don’t say anything to anyone. Valene is skittish about anyone knowing our secret.”
“No skin off my butt. I will say that you two look good together.”
“Thanks.”
Valene sometimes tried to distance herself from Wyatt, but if he persisted, she couldn’t seem to help herself. Before long she’d be back in his arms where she belonged, if he had any say. Most days it was clear that he didnothave any say.
Hunter joined the loose circle of Wyatt, Daphne and Valene. He asked Valene, “Did you win?”
“No. Not at all.”
“Wyatt,” Daphne Charlene said. He winced at her cloying tone. Good thing she couldn’t see his expression, but Valene noticed and smiled. So did Hunter.
“Wyatt!” Daphne Charlene said in a tenser tone.
He cleared his throat, schooled his features and looked at Daphne Charlene.
She put an extra simpering expression in place. His back molars ground tightly together, luckily not making a noise. “What can I do for you, Daphne Charlene?”
