“I swung by to check on you at home and the ranch, and since I didn’t see you, I thought you might be somewhere in town.” She nods.
“Where all have you looked?” I ask, playing with the coffee stirrer in front of me.
I gave her a very brief rundown of what happened with Joey, but I couldn’t get into it. I was too upset. Thankfully she recognized that and didn’t push.
“The Pancake Emporium was my first stop and when you weren’t there, I figured the Hash ’N Hop was the next likely spot.”
“Do you want something to eat?” I ask.
“Are you buying?” She laughs.
“What parent doesn’t?”
Betty walks over, smile on her face as she refills my coffee. “How are you two?”
“I’ve been better.”
“Can I get the burger and cheese fries with a strawberry shake, please?” Lennox asks.
She smiles at her. “Such good manners, Lennox. We could have used you here.”
“I didn’t know you were hiring,” she says.
“Ever since Kade stole Presley away to work at the ranch, I’m down an employee. I see Chase snapped you up. Arlene would be so disappointed in me.”
“Sorry.” Lennox grins at her.
“It’s a good thing we like you.”
I sit back in the booth as the two of them chat. Even coming here doesn’t help quell my racing thoughts.
I’m not only worried about Joey, but her dad too. There’sno way we can be together after he reacted the way that he did.
I should cut my losses while I can. If I didn’t love my job so much, I’d probably leave town. But then I’d also be leaving my daughter.
Fuck.
A broken heart really fucking sucks.
“Oh, hi, Serena.”
I glance up at the woman Lennox greets, hopping out of the booth to hug her.
“Lennox. It’s nice to see you back in town. But I knew you’d be here.” She winks one eye behind her thick glasses.
“Got time for a reading?” Lennox asks.
Jesus. This is the last thing I want. All I wanted was to get away from the ranch and the pressing fear that I would run into Joey. I don’t think I could stand to see her right now. To see the pain that I’ve caused her.
Because she can’t lose her family. I know that. It’s the most important thing we have. Even if I love her more than anything.
“Slide over, Dad.”
Lennox pushes me farther into the booth as Serena takes her seat.
“Would you like a reading?” Serena asks me.
“I—”
