Shelby found a black plastic garbage bag and gloves. The dead rat was out the door and into the Dumpster shortly after. As she washed her hands in the bathroom sink, Ann sauntered into the ladies room.
Ann stopped short and gave her a quizzical look. You okay, Shel? You look like youve seen a ghost.
No, a dead rat. Just tired.
Her friend dabbed on fresh lipstick and touched up her hair. Well, Ive got something to put the spark back in your tank. Sexy-guy alert, table nine. Panty-melting hot.
Takes a lot more than sexy to dissolve my underwear, Shelby joked back.
You need a life, her friend said with a good-natured grin. Or dont wear panties at all. Want to grab a drink after work at the Tipsy Cowboy?
Ann had a brazen attitude, bleached blond hair and wore her skirts too high, but she was the best friend Shelby ever had.
Rain check. Dans wife is babysitting Timmy as a favor and I dont want to be late.
Ann patted her shoulder. You work too hard, hon. Let me know if I can help in any way.
The kindness nearly made her dissolve into tears. Ann had boarded her horse at the Belle Creek, giving the ranch much-needed income, even if it was only rough board and not full. Shelby smiled. Youve already done enough, hon. Ill be fine.
As her friend left, Shelby realized the dull throbbing behind her temples had turned into a fierce headache. She stashed her purse behind boxes of sanitary napkins in the employee lounge and headed back onto the floor. Maybe the rest of the night would be uneventful. Please let it be calm, please...
The devil himself sat at table nine.
She forgot to breathe, forgot the dead rat in her locker. Forgot who she was. Good thing she wore a brass tag with her name on it. Time rolled back in a fog.
That kiss, those sinfully sexy eyes, smoldering at her as he lowered his mouth to hers...
You never forgot your first kiss. And no woman who still had a pulse ever forgot Nick Anderson.
Dark blond hair curled at the ends as it rested against the collar of his black shirt. He wore it longer now, and he was thicker in the shoulders and chest. He was a man now, instead of the teenager hed been when shed sobbed and told him to get out of her life. Still had the same languid grace as he relaxed back in the imitation-leather booth, his dark gaze scanning the restaurant with the same cool, searing intensity displayed ten years ago. Nick looked hungry, as if he needed a good meal...or a bad woman.
Already the dynamic inside the Bucking Bronc had changed. Female waitstaff sashayed instead of scurried and the men stood a little taller. No one here could best Nicks six feet three inches. Or his mouth...
Two men stopped by his table and chatted. Nicks heroism as a former Navy SEAL was a source of pride in these parts. She overheard a few invite him to sit with them and pay for his dinner, but Nick politely refused.
He must be back for his dads funeral. Shed been so busy trying to find ways to save his fathers ranch, shed almost forgotten he existed.
Almost.
Shelby took her order pad from her apron. Tonight she had to have a steel backbone. Forget the honey-sweet flower attitude. The man deserved pure vinegar.
Be courteous. The pencil nearly snapped in her tight grip. May I take your drink order?
He turned. Soft light from the overhead lamp put the angles of his face into sharp relief. Shelby bit back a gasp at the jagged scar carved on one angular cheek. It looked as if a vicious animal had torn his skin apart.
It made him no less handsome; indeed, it made him look more ruthless and dangerous.
Nick dropped the guarded expression, replaced it with a heavy-lidded assessment. Shelby Stillwater. You are a lovely sight for weary eyes like mine. What are you doing here, darling?
At sixteen, the compliment would have thrilled her. Now she was older and wiser to his charms. Im working. And you?
Nicks gaze shuttered and a slight tension rippled through his muscled body. I returned for the funeral.
His Deep South accent was barely noticeable. And this Nick was different. Still charming and suave, but something lurked beneath the surface. Not the scarShelby dismissed that, for shed never let such superficial markings bother her. But shadows lingered in his dark eyes.
Nice of you to finally come home. Too bad you were too late to say goodbye to your father.
His expression darkened. Soon as Dan found me and contacted me, I was on my way back here. I dropped everything because he was sick.
Im sorry for your loss, she said in a gentler tone. No matter if Nick didnt care when Silas fell ill, the man was still his father.
He gave a rough nod.
Where are you staying? She didnt want to be polite to this man, whod broken her heart ten years ago when hed pushed her aside like the boys in high school who called her trailer trash. But Nick was Silass son, and for the sake of honoring his dad, shed mind her tongue.
Long as he didnt kiss her again. Your tongue wouldnt mind that, huh?
Shelby told her dancing female hormones to get lost and mentally recalled the dead rat. Worked wonders for lowering a libido.
At the ranch. Nick stretched an arm along the booth as he watched her.
She managed to conceal her surprise. Im sure your cousins will be happy to see you.
Nicks gaze turned hard. Doubt it. Dan and Jake wont want me around long.
She blinked in surprise. Youre always welcome, Nick. You were the one who left.
Everyone in town knew how Silas and Nick had clashed like two stubborn bulls in an arena, while Dan and Jake got along with the old man just fine. Shelby didnt understand how Nick could leave home and only return for his fathers funeral.
Her parents had been drunks, and when they left town, Shelby barely noticed. But Nick came from a long line of solid, upstanding Barlow denizens. Andersons had served on the town council for as long as anyone could remember, and the Belle Creek had been an icon in the community for years, sponsoring 4-H competitions and Little League teams.
Something flickered behind his dark gaze. Im ready to order. Why dont you sit a minute, take a load off? You look as if youve been running ragged.
Pride struggled against the need to do exactly as he said. Weariness won. Shelby perched on the edge of the booth and put her pad on the table. Best not to show how much her hands shook, let him know his raw animal heat could still affect her, like a blast furnace. Thanks.
Where are you laying your head at night these days, darling? Apartment in town?
Nicks deep, smoky voice made the question sound sinful and inviting. Shelby tapped her pencil against the battered order pad. Silas converted the space above the garage into an apartment for myself and Timmy.
The scar on his cheek turned white as his jaw tightened. Timmy?
My nephew. My sister and her husband are living overseas in Iraq. Hes an engineergot a very lucrative twenty-four-month contract.
Nicks mouth thinned, and he shook his head. You couldnt pay me enough to live there. Did three tours in Iraq. Managed to survive, despite all the suicide bombers.
She knew this, knew it every day, and worried one day her sister and brother-in-law might not return home. Its why they left Timmy with me.
Nicks mouth thinned, and he shook his head. You couldnt pay me enough to live there. Did three tours in Iraq. Managed to survive, despite all the suicide bombers.
She knew this, knew it every day, and worried one day her sister and brother-in-law might not return home. Its why they left Timmy with me.
Still the same Shelby, living in the same place, taking care of everyone, he murmured, his gaze never leaving hers. Darling, are you ever going to leave the Belle Creek? That old place has been trapping you there for years.
Shelby bristled at this truth. Shed given up her dream of traveling in order to care for Timmy. It was a reality shed cheerfully accepted, but hearing it from his sexy mouth made it hurt. My sister and her husband couldnt pass up this chance to make good money. Theyre moving back here when they return, and they promised I could live with them to save money for travel. Now, are you ready to order?
Ill have sweet tea, salad with raspberry vinaigrette, the chicken, baked potato and carrots.
You like breasts or thighs?
His eyes moved in a slow caress over her body that made all her hormones sing. Both look good to me.
Damn that color rising to her cheeks. Nick chuckled. Breast meat. Grilled.
After scribbling down the order, she stood. Be right up.
He smiled, a genuine smile that added tiny lines to the corners of his chocolate-brown eyes and dimpled his right cheek. A bedroom smile that she suspected had lured many women into his arms. Its good to see you again, Shelby. Youre the one person in this town I like seeing again.
She wished she could say the same. The sooner Nick Anderson left, the better for her. The man had a habit of disarming her, shaking up her world. In a world that was already pretty rattled, she liked the idea of stability.
After she brought his food, Nick didnt dig in right away, but kept looking at her, as if she was steak and he was starving. It really is good to see you again, Sweet Pea Shelby.
The nickname caught her off guard, and coaxed an uncertain smile to her mouth. No ones called me that in years. Not since her parents had become more interested in alcohol than their daughters.
Too bad, he said softly.
For a moment she stood looking at him, her heart pounding like a war drum. Nick still had it. And damn her, she still wanted it.
Shelby hurried off to take another order. She stopped by to check on him ten minutes later. As she went to take his salad plate, his fingers brushed against hers. A tingle rushed down her spine and he stared at her.
Shelby became aware of her too-rapid pulse, the knot of desire centered low in her belly.
Vern waved at her and she turned, but Nick laced strong fingers around her wrist. Wait, he said softly. Isnt that Vern Dickerson?
He comes in here every Friday. Her heart beat triple-time at the hint of steely strength restraining her, and yet his grip was gentle. I think hes lonely.
Nick nodded. Without ceremony, he picked up his meal and glass, and walked over to Verns booth, sliding in opposite him. Hi, there, sir. Im Nick Anderson. Mind if I sit with you? I hate to eat alone. Dont want to bother you, so Ill leave if you wish.
Vern beamed. As she left to take care of another customer, Vern began regaling Nick with stories of his time in Nam, Nick listening intently. Her heart softened.
When Vern excused himself to the restroom, Shelby stopped to refill Nicks sweet tea.
Sweet Pea, give me Verns check. A man who has served like he has shouldnt have to worry about his next meal.
Already taken care of, she told him. And thank you.
Nick blinked. For what?
For spending time with an old man who is absolutely thrilled to sit with the hometown hero.
His expression darkened. Hes the real war hero.
Vern returned, and Shelby left them alone. A few minutes later, the elderly veteran waved her over and asked for the check. Shelby went into her usual dialogue about the special veterans plan. Vern thanked her, then the two men stood and shook hands.
Been a real honor to spend time with you, sir. Nick nodded at him.
Beaming, Vern saluted him. Same here, sailor. You ever need someone to jaw with you about the service, Im your man.
Vern left, his shoulders a little less stooped, his gait a little less unsteady.
Shelby began clearing the table of Verns dishes as Nick sat down and asked for his own check.
That was so nice of you, she told him.
Youre the nice one, Sweet Pea. Vern knows.
Knows what?
That you pay for his dinner every Friday. Thank you, Shel.
Her gaze met his dark one and in the depths, she felt something stir. Not mere desire, but something deeper, and more lasting.
Shouldnt you be working instead of wasting the customers time?
Shelby stiffened. The honey-sweet voice hid the acid behind those words. She didnt need to turn around to know that the owner stood behind her. The woman had been in the kitchen an hour ago, barking orders and giving the evil eye when Shelby asked the head chef about a cake recipe with cinnamon.
With her cascading wispy blond curls, big blue eyes and stylish clothing, Natalie Beaufort caught many male eyes in small-town Barlow. Big Chuck Beaufort, her wealthy dad, spared no expense on his youngest daughter. Natalie boarded her show horse, Fancy, at the Belle Creek, so Shelby had to force herself to be polite. The ranch needed the fees to survive. It was no secret Big Chuck coveted the ranchs lush four hundred acres for some pie-in-the-sky amusement park called Countryville. The man had been bragging around town about his latest plan.
Maybe Nick didnt care about the land that had been in his family for five generations, but she did. The thought of seeing the rolling hillside, the duck pond where shed gone swimming on many a hot summer day, the horse pasture, the faded red barn and the rambling outbuildings turned into a tourist trap made Shelby nauseous. And furious.
Natalie slid into the booth across from Nick, pretty as you please, pushing Shelby aside. Well, hello, stranger, she cooed. Nice to see you again. And what are you doing here at my restaurant?
Leaving. Nick gulped down his tea and slid out from the booth, his gaze centered on Shelby. Ill see you later, Shelby.
Silently laughing, she nodded at Nick.
He dropped several bills into the check folder and then looked at her with those sleepy bedroom eyes, now sharpened, as they centered on her mouth. He touched her cheek and she startled, the contact sizzling between them like a crackling electrical line. Nick gently stroked a thumb over her trembling lower lip.
Maybe I should have stuck around ten years ago and finished what I started with you.
Whistling, he jammed his hands into his jeans pockets and strode off.
Natalie pouted so much she looked twelve instead of twenty-six.
Get back to work, Natalie told her in a sullen voice.
Humming, Shelby cleared the table and dumped the dishes in the wait station near the bar. The recent troubles came back to haunt her. Nick was staying at the ranch. Hed been away for ten years and had no idea of what he was waltzing back into on the Belle Creek.
As she headed into the kitchen, a dreadful thought struck her. Nick returned for the funeral, but what if Silas left the entire ranch to his son?