Gypsy purred and Bethany kept her gaze on the cat and far away from Hank. “To Travis and me, if we can come up with a down payment.”
Sam clapped his hands. “That’s wonderful news. We know how worried ya been. Ain’t that right, Gypsy, my dear?”
Gypsy meowed in answer. Bethany straightened and grabbed the orange juice. Let Hank worm himself out of that one.Mister-I-Can’t-Afford-Distractions.She flashed a hard smile at Hank, who didn’t look as fazed as she’d imagined he would be. Then she turned to Sam. “I’ll be right back with your breakfast and something special for Gypsy.”
“I’ll be here, waitin’,” Sam said.
Bethany took off toward the kitchen, not looking to see if Hank followed. Of course, he caught up to her with an easy stride.
“What’s the matter?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” She tried to speed up, but when she entered the kitchen, he was still by her side. She pointed to the right. “Dishwasher’s over there.”
Travis shot her a concerned look when he saw Hank, but when she shook her head to show she had the situationunder control, he left the kitchen carrying several plates of food. Bethany moved to the cupboard, where she kept her prettiest china, and found a plate. Turning back to the worktable, she began scooping scrambled eggs onto the plate, while Hank remained standing in the same spot. Bethany flitted him a glance. He had taken off his hat and was twirling it in his hand. Somehow, he made a pair of handyman overalls look impressive.
“I thought you were here to fix things?” Bethany huffed.
“That’s all I get? Not even a good morning and thank you for the dinner last night?”
Bethany stopped what she was doing and plastered on a polite smile. “Good morning, Hank. Dinner last night was delicious. Thank you. I’m sorry, but I’ve got customers to feed.” She held up the plate. “I need to get this to Sam while it’s hot.”
Hank ignored her, standing in the way like a cement giant.
Bethany tried to get by but couldn’t squeeze past. She gave a sigh and tipped her head to the side. “What is it?”
“I thought we agreed to be friends,” he said, his voice mild. “What happened between last night and this morning to change your mind?”
“Nothing.” She kept her gaze on the plate of food to keep it from spilling and to avoid Hank’s penetrating eyes.
“Last night you fell asleep on my shoulder.”
She had? Her gaze caught his, and she couldn’t look away. She raised the plate a little. “Food’s getting cold.”
He didn’t budge. “Was it something I said?”
He was not going to move until she gave him an answer. Fine, she would give him one. “Elizabeth...nice to know I’m an amusing distraction.”
“Ah.” His tone was thoughtful. “You overheard our phone call.”
“Yes, now will you let me by?”
“So this means we can no longer be friends? And here I thought we’d made progress last night.”
Bethany looked around. Although she knew the kitchen was empty except for the two of them, she dropped her voice. “Hank, you were talking to Elizabeth about sleeping with me. That doesn’t sound like a friend.”
“I just said that to get her off my back. I’ve known her a long time. She tends to interfere in my personal life. I’m sorry you had to overhear that.”
Silence reigned between them for a moment. A silence fraught with accusations and anger and hurt. At least on her part. “Apology accepted. Now, can I get by?”
Hank’s expression was guarded as he lifted his toolbox. “I’d better take a look at that dishwasher.”
He stepped aside, leaving her free to deliver Sam’s breakfast.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Bethany slipped through the swinging doors and wound her way through the noisy dining room to Sam’s table. All the while, she fought the sick feeling creeping through her veins like poison, like she’d done something wrong. Like she’d made a horrible mistake. Like she’d rushed to a decision and destroyed something precious before it even had a chance to take root.Crazy.All she’d destroyed was the chance for Hank to take advantage of her.
“Here ya go, Sam. And scraps for Gypsy.”
