She’d managed to eat most of the three-cheese omelet she’d ordered, but her stomach was officially stretched to its limits.
Heather grinned and bounced Parker on her knee. “Don’t think that means you get this little guy back. He makes me miss my nieces and nephews back home.”
Curiosity piqued Suzy’s interest. Duke had mentioned sisters back in Texas, but other than that, zero personal information leaked from his tight lips. She wasn’t sure if he was hiding something, or if he’d set strict boundaries with her after they’d spent so much time together when he’d first arrived in town.
Either way, not asking Heather questions about her family would be rude.
“Do you have many?”
“A few. I have two sisters who each have a couple kids. It’s like a war zone when we all get together. A very fun, loud war zone.”
Suzy reached for Parker’s chubby hand and let him curl his fingers around her thumb. “I’m jealous. It was always just me and Lane growing up. Now at least there’s Parker and Celine in our little clan.”
“Well I’d say he makes up for a lot.” Heather smooshed the baby against her cheek.
Parker giggled and pressed a slobbery kiss to her forehead.
Celine hurried over with a smile. “Y’all finished?”
“Couldn’t eat another bite if I wanted to,” Suzy said. “I’ll take the check.”
Celine tsked and waved away the comment. “Food’s on the house. Consider it payment for babysitting.”
Suzy knew better than to argue so she just said, “Thank you.”
“You mentioned a stroller for this guy,” Heather said, resting her forehead on Parker’s. “How about a tour of the town?”
Suzy checked her watch. “Sure. I have to get my car to the shop soon, so it’ll have to be quick.” She shrugged Parker’s diaper bag on her back, waved goodbye to Celine, then led the way to her car. She grabbed the stroller and a blanket to drape over the baby.
Heather made quick work of settling Parker into his spot.
“You do have experience with kids. It takes me forever to get him buckled into that thing.” Suzy pushed the stroller, keeping her pace slow so Heather could take in the sights and look through the windows. “None of your own?”
Heather chuckled. “No. I’m a lot more like Duke than my sisters. They both wanted nothing more than to settle down and start families. Houses and babies and PTA.”
Suzy ignored her twinge of jealousy. All those things sounded lovely, even if they felt so outside of her grasp. “You and Duke don’t want any of that?” She tried to keep the interest out of her voice when she mentioned Duke.
Shrugging, Heather turned curious eyes her way. “Never been too high on my list. I don’t like to be tied down. Rather have the freedom to come and go as I please. Duke…well, he’s more of a mystery. He’s been on the road since he graduated highschool but he keeps a lot hidden. Doesn’t like people knowing his business.”
“I get that.”
Growing up in a small town, Suzy was used to people knowing every detail about her life—her family. All her mistakes exposed, all her baggage slashed open for people to discuss and have opinions on. As she got older, that part of living in Hillmore bothered her less and less, but it also taught her to play things as close to the vest as possible.
Heather stopped in front of Hidden Treasures. “Is this a thrift store?”
“Yep. Second hand finds and some new, locally made products as well. Want to look inside?”
“Nah, I’ll make a mental note to stop by later.” Heather started down the sidewalk, hands shoved in the pocket of her black jacket. “So why don’t you have the whole kids and family deal yet? Not your style or just hasn’t happened?”
Suzy weighed her words. She didn’t mind opening up to Heather—hell, she felt a connection to the woman that made her want to spill her guts—but she also didn’t want whatever she said reported back to Duke.
“I always figured I’d have both. Most people around here do. But it hasn’t been in the cards.”
“And have you been playing with a lot of handsome cards who don’t want to settle down? That seems to be my problem,” Heather said with a sigh.
Suzy couldn’t help but grin. “The whole deck I’ve been given is filled with jokers and wild cards.”
Heather snorted out a laugh. “What a waste. Especially since it’s clear you prefer cowboys.”
