Valene huffed. “Word sure does travel fast.”
“There are not many secrets in a small town, Valene, as you well know. Besides,” Nova said, lifting her hand, “the ring on your finger says something about Wyatt and his intentions, don’t you think?”
Valene gazed at the beautiful ring, allowing Nova’s words to seep inside. “Wait a minute. Weren’t you the one questioning his honor when we started this conversation?”
Nova sighed. “Well, I’ve changed my mind. I’m allowed to do that because I’m a woman of a certain age. An age, mind you, that the details of which will never be revealed. Given the choice between Wyatt or Daphne Charlene, I’m putting my money on Wyatt.”
Valene decided to put her money on Wyatt, too. She stood up and Nova stood with her. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to go talk to Daphne Charlene.”
Nova looked suddenly wary. “What will you say to her, or rather, do to her?”
“Nothing permanent.”
Nova grabbed her arm. “What does that mean?”
“I’m kidding. I’ll just go see what she wants to talk to Diesel about. If it’s what you read in her mind then I’ll lure her back here and shoot her with a Defender.”
“What if she doesn’t tell you?”
Valene shrugged. “Same thing.”
Nova reached out to grab her again, but Valene was faster, staying out of reach. “Don’t worry, Nova. I won’t do anything rash.”Probably.
Valene walked slowly into the convenience store. She passed an attractive man who was looking at all of the Maxwell the Martian merchandise and seemed a bit frantic.
“Excuse me,” he said before she got too far away.
She turned back and stared at the stranger. He was fairly tall with straight, icy-blond hair and a really engaging smile. She moved toward him without thinking.
“Yes?”
“You work here, right?”
She looked down to see if she was wearing her name badge, but she wasn’t. “How do you know that?”
His eyes narrowed. He turned and pointed to the door she’d just passed through. “You just walked out of the employees only door. I took a chance.”
Valene nodded. “Right. Well, I’m not on duty, but I’ll do my best to help you, if I can.”
“Great. I’m looking for a special gift for my niece. She’s ten and she loves all things outer space. I thought she’d get a kick out of something here. I’m just not sure what a ten-year-old girl would like. Do you think you could help me out?”
“Sure.” Valene moved over to the rack of Maxwell the Martian doll merchandise and selected a medium-sized stuffed Maxwell, handing it to the man. “I was crazy for stuffed animals when I was ten. This one is the perfect size.”
He took the offered Maxwell, smiled and put his hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. “Thank you very much for helping me.” His voice sounded oddly low and seductive. “Could I buy you a cup of cheap truck stop coffee to pay you back?” He grinned, showing off a row of straight white teeth any movie star would covet.
Valene considered his proposal to have coffee. It was really nice of him to offer when she hadn’t done much. Did she have time? She glanced around, trying to remember why she was up here in the truck stop in the first place.
Daphne Charlene loitered by the front cash register, throwing ice-cold water on her impromptu coffee date. Wyatt’s face came into her mind and she shook off any idea of having coffee with a handsome stranger. “Not necessary. But thank you for your kindness.”
The man took his hand from her shoulder, smiled shyly and nodded. “Well, thanks anyway.”
Valene mentally shook off whateverthatwas and made her way toward Daphne Charlene. Before she got halfway there, Diesel appeared out of nowhere. He strode up to Daphne Charlene and asked, “I understand you were looking for me?”
Daphne Charlene looked very perturbed. “What took you so long? I’ve been waiting for almost twenty-five minutes.”
“Well, I’m a busy man. In fact, you only have two minutes to tell me whatever is on your mind, then I have other things to attend to.”
