Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
Why are men so gross? she thought to herself.
Outside, she was handing the men their orders when other customers went past them to head inside the restaurant.
The stranger crossed the street after thanking her, and Silas walked along beside her as they headed toward the parking lot.
“Good to see you back in town.”
She found it unusual that Silas was making the effort to be nice to her instead of just taking the food and walking off like the other man. Was he being fake nice? She hadn’t even spoken to Silas four times in her whole life. Was this just a ruse? Was Silas trying to find something out to fuel the rumor mill? He would find out she had been overly cautious about everything she had said and done since being back in town.
Unlike big cities, in small towns like Treepoint, people were gauged by their reputation. Hers was in tatters. The finest seamstress in Treepoint couldn’t repair the damage she had inflicted on herself.
“Then you’re one of the few who thinks that way,” Megan replied with resignation.
Silas frowned. “Are the townspeople giving you a hard time?”
Megan stopped in her tracks. No, now that she gave it a thought, they weren’t. Everyone she had talked to was polite, except for Chelsea and Marty. Chelsea and she never got along, so there was nothing new about that. Marty was naturally unpleasant to everyone in town—he wasn’t making an exception for her.
Megan realized Silas was waiting for her answer.
“No, they aren’t,” she admitted.
Silas’s frown cleared. “It’s Christmastime, Megan. ‘Tis the season to be jolly. Lighten up, and people around you will, too,” Silas advised.
“I will.” Seeing his frown back, she laughed. “I will!” she cheerfully promised as she pushed the unlock button on her key fob.
“I’m going to hold you to that.”
“Okay.” Thinking Silas was joking, Megan teased him back. “You won’t catch me with a humbug spirit again.”
She had to do a double-take when Silas’ expression filled with amusement. She had never considered Silas a handsome man before. When he came to town, people would give the Colemans a wide berth. His inflexible, almost austere attitude made him unapproachable unless he made the first move. Now, with amusement on his face, Silas seemed almost … friendly.
“Good. I better be going. The boys are waiting for their food. You take care, Megan.”
“You, too, Silas.”
As she got in her car, she felt more positive than she had in a long time. Silas was right; she did need to relax more. Be more positive. What could it hurt?
Nine
“Here you go.” Megan set Knox’s order on his desk.
Pushing his chair closer to the desk, Knox started pulling out his fries and burgers. “I was worried you wouldn’t bring the ketchup packets. I know Marty gives you a hard time when you ask for them.”
Closing the delivery bag she had invested in to keep the food warm, she watched as Knox devoured his burger in one bite. “Marty and I have come to an understanding.”
“Really? What’s the arrangement?”
“I buy the ketchup packets, then I can get as many as I need for my customers.”
“That asshole could give Greer a lesson on being stingy.”
Megan didn’t miss the sad way Knox had mentioned Greer.
“How’s Greer doing?”
“He still won’t leave his house. I told him he could have a desk job until he recovers.”
“I take it he told you no.”
“He told me to shove the desk up my ass.”
Feeling bad for Knox, she opened her bag and took more ketchup packs out, setting them on the corner of his desk.
“I’m sure it’s hard for him, not being able to do the physical activities he’s used to, especially with him working here.”
Knox lifted a curious brow as he reached into the bag. “What do you mean about that? Why especially here?”
Megan gave a one-shoulder shrug and nodded toward the open doorway. “I’d feel self-conscious, too, coming in here, if I were a man. All of your deputies are buff as heck, and you’re no slouch, either. Greer Porter is the most prideful man in Treepoint. There’s no way he would come back to work here until he’s confident of holding his own against the other men.”
Knox angrily threw his empty bag into the trash can by his desk. “Fuck, you’re right.” His expression grew thoughtful. “I’ll have to think about it.”
“There you go. I’m sure you’ll come up with something.” She gave him a conspiratorial wink.
“There’s more than one way to catch a rabbit.”
Knox was still chuckling as she went out the door.
Being back in Treepoint for nearly two weeks now, she had discovered that Knox had a kind heart. The night Chelsea had called the police on her, Knox was extremely professional as she showed him how she had accidentally made the loud sound Chelsea had heard.
“I’ll have a chat with Chelsea,” he’d said, irritably closing his notepad. “I don’t appreciate the sheriff’s office being used in an attempt to cause trouble for you. She will be made aware of that fact. Have a good evening, Megan.”