Dr. Webb called. Said to put you in a spot away from the drafts and get you started, hed be here, but he got held up with a patient for a little bit. So youre seeing Dr. Webb, huh? God, hes such a hunk. Could make a girl think about getting a breast reduction just to get his hands on herbut I guess thats a little tasteless, huh? If youre seeing him and all. But you dont have to worry about me, honey, hed never look my wayand I cant wait to hear the whole story about that baby. Lets see her, lets see herwell, arent you a beauty, darlin.
Sheila tugged down her waitress uniform, which tended to ride up her thighs with every other step. Years ago, Winona had realized that buying another size uniform wasnt a possibility-not for Sheila. Shed been fighting to stay in a size twelve for half a decade now, and there was no way she was going to let a fourteen win. But right then, she peeled back Angels blanket and picked up the baby with a long refrain of oohs and aahs.
Because the baby chortled happily for the attention, Winona decided to let Sheila live. Actually, she was too tired to kill her and too old to feel embarrassed at the waitresss loud personal gossip. Still, she pushed off her jacket and sank onto the booth seat, wishing for a long, tall whiskey instead of straight water-and she didnt drink. The thing was, over the last two days, Sheila wasnt the only townsperson whod made wild, presumptuous assumptions about Winonas relationship with Justin.
It didnt make sense. Folks should have been gossiping ten for a dozen about the plane crash. That was the crisis in town. That was the big news. Who Winona happened to be seeing-or not seeing-shouldnt have mattered to a soul.
And the really crazy thing was that she wasnt even seeing Justin. At least not exactly. Yeah, hed offered to marry herand for damn sure, that was why shed insisted on seeing him right now, today, over dinner, and specifically chosen this public place for the occasionbut there was still no reason from here to Austin that anyone should leap to the conclusion that she was seeing him. Heaven knew hed proposed to her fifty times before this. And most folks in Royal had seen her slug him probably that many times-or more.
Well, okay, honey, if you want to keep it quiet, I wont tell a soul, Sheila boomed, as she settled the baby back in the carrier. But I hope you realize that no ones curiosity is intended in a mean way. We all love you. We all know you. Anyone whos had a kid in trouble, for years you were the one who stepped in. This here baby, though Efficiently she slapped down two paper place mats that read: The Royal Diner-Food Fit For a King! and then extracted her pen and pad from her front hip pocket. She doesnt look Spanish or Indian or Mexican. Not with that blond hair and blue eyesbut you havent found the mama yet?
Not yet.
Sheila motioned with her pen. So, whatll you have? Dr. Webb, remember, he said for you to order.
Really, Id rather wait for him-
No, no. He said youd be tired from working and from carting the baby around all day. Hell be here. Just ten minutes late, he said. But he wanted you to start eating. Manny- she motioned toward the grill cook in back -he says the pork chops are extra tender today.
I was thinking a salad-
Now, you cant build up your strength on leaves and rabbit food, honey. Much less can you build up a bust, and men do tend to like a substantial woman, you know. Did you see my pies up front? She motioned toward the revolving pie stand near the front door. Strawberry rhubarb today. And I got a banana cream to die for. You need me to warm up a bottle for the baby? You sleeping with Dr. Webb?
Cobb salad. No dessert. Yes, thank you on the bottle, I have one in the diaper bag here. And none of your business.
Sheila cocked up an eyebrow. Now, hon, with the Gerards gallivanting on vacation the winter months, whoalls gonna give you advice if your friends in town dont? But I dont see the question made you blush, so Im thinking, no, not yet. Ask me, Id nail that man fast and any way I could. Theres some men you can string along, they like the hunt and chase. But him, I wouldnt risk nothing like that. Too many girls got their eyes on him. Hes too cute and too rich. You get a chance, you get that boy in the sack and you dont give him a chance to even look at anyone else.
Thank you so much. Winona swiped a hand over her eyes. Is there anything else you want to offer me advice on? Deodorants? Hemorrhoids? Constipation?
There now. You wont be so crabby after you have some food. Ill bring you the chops and my cheddar cheese mashed potatoes. Trust me. Youll like them. And the whole towns been asking whether Waynes gonna actually let you bring that baby to work right in the police station.
Its only a temporary circumstance, my having the baby. Its worked out for a few days. But obviously, I wouldnt have the baby around any situation that could be dangerous. It just takes time to find an answer for-
Yeah, yeah. Sheila waved off the politically correct answer. If she couldnt have dirt, she didnt want anything. So, did you tell the Gerards about the baby yet?
Winona sighed. To a point, it was easier to answer the questions than exert all the energy it took to duck them. Yes. Theyre still vacationing in Japan and having an outstanding time. But I talked to them on the phone two nights ago.
They love you. Sheila set out the silverware, working around the babys carrier in the middle of the table. Two other customers waved hands to get her attention, but she clearly didnt want to move quite yet. And I just know theyd be happy if you were involved with Justin, because the Webb and the Gerard families were always so close. And really, at your age, hon, I think theyd expect you to be, how should I say it, physically involved-
Winona propped her chin on her knuckled hand. Okay. I give up trying to deny it. Im having wild, unprincipled sex with Dr. Webb. If itll make yall happy, tell the town, tell the whole universe-
She was stunned into immediate silence when she suddenly saw another face appear behind the waitresss-and Justin was grinning to beat the band.
Now, darlin. Please dont be giving all the wild details of our sex life to Sheila. You didnt tell her what we did two nights ago in the Porsche, did you?
Now, darlin. Please dont be giving all the wild details of our sex life to Sheila. You didnt tell her what we did two nights ago in the Porsche, did you?
Smoothly, as if theyd been a couple for a hundred years, he bent down, bussed the top of her head, chucked the babys chin, and then plunked down on the opposite side of the booth. Sheila, Ive only got forty minutes, max. I want the greasiest hamburger youve got back there, heavy on the barbecue, and a ton of fries-
Like you need to tell me this, sweetheart? Sheila whirled around, clearly delighted with him, and sashayed off to deliver their order.
Winona needed a second to recover her equilibrium. Five minutes ago, shed had no equilibrium problems, but suddenly her heart was flopping in her chest louder than a beached whale and her nerves were suffering hiccups. She didnt have nerves. Shed certainly never suffered from arrhythmia-at least until Justin walked in. And that kiss from two nights ago seeped back into her mind with a twinge of guilt.
She felt his gaze on her face. Nothing new, their looking at each other. Theyd known each other for five million years, for Petes sake. Only, nothing was the same since that kiss. Hed never-never-looked at her this way before. As if she were a woman, instead of an old ragtail-younger-neighbor friend. As if she were a woman who sexually interested him. As if he didnt have all that much trouble imagining her in bed. And was enjoying that imagining.
Her gaze frittered around the diner. The red barstools were all taken, the long Formica counter filled up with locals. Booths lined the walls, mostly spilling over with young families, but, traditionally, medical personnel popped over here to grab the counter seats because the hospital was so close by. No one in the medical field ever seemed to eat healthily. On the jukebox, someone was wailing about losing somebody. There was a truck and a cup of a coffee and a dog in the song, so no question it was a country-style wail. Manny, the cook, was visible from the open window of the grill kitchen. He was wearing his beefcake-style white undershirt that showed off his shoulder and upper arm muscles, and he was wielding a black spatula. Sheila patted his butt every time she went by.
The diner was familiar. Comfortable. The teasing was a pain in the keester, but what could Winona expect from a small town where everyone knew her, and, damnation, everybody cared? Hell, she cared, too, and could pry with the best of them when she was in the mood. Normally it was as easy to be in the Royal Diner as at home.
Except tonight.
She felt a sensation of panic, as if her whole world were shifting on her. It wasnt exactly that she minded his looking at her in that new way. That intimate, hot, unnerving-damn-him way. But shed always known what to say to Justin, how to behave, what to do around him, and suddenly all that comfort level was lost.
Finally he got around to saying something. You look tired, Win.
Thanks, Doc. Thats just what a girl wants to hear.
And not just a little tired. You look just plain whipped.
Immediately she bristled. What had happened to all the sweet talk hed used when Sheilad been around? Are you looking for a sock right in the labonza? Im not the least tired, she snapped.
The insult went right over his head. Whats wrong?
Her shoulders sank. The feeling of strangeness disappeared. This was, after all, Justin, who shed known forever-and who already knew all about Angel. Everything.
So. Well fix this everything. But thats a little tough to do unless youre willing to be a little more specific.
Out it poured. All the frustrations from the last time shed seen him. Even though technically Angel should have been promptly turned over to Social Services, no one really had a sweat with her temporarily baby-sitting. Still, the whole world, and especially her boss, kept reminding her that the baby showing up on her doorstep didnt mean she had any dibs-or legal rights-on Angel. And she knew that. But for the same reason, one of the first things shed done was check out what was going on with foster care.