Read Hometown Hero (Hometown Alaska Men Book 2) for Free Online Page B

picked up the plate.
    "It's for Rick," Roy called over his shoulder at the same time he flipped a burger. The meat sizzled and hissed as it met the hot grill.
    "What are you, a mind reader?" Tawney asked. "Rick just got here."
    Roy grinned. "He calls ahead."
    "Here you go." Tawney set the food in front of Rick—a garden salad with grilled chicken. Same meal she usually ordered.
    "Thanks." Rick forked up some salad.
    "Coffee?" she asked.
    "Sure. Thanks." He pushed the food around on his plate. "What time are you off tonight?"
    "Ten," she said. "June's letting me work part of the late shift. I think she feels sorry for me. The tips are better at night."
    "But the clientele is rougher." Rick's mouth tightened.
    "I can take care of myself." Tawney gave him a smile.
    He cocked his head to the side. "You must be tougher than you look."
    "Ha, ha."
    When Rick finished his meal, he helped out behind the bar. There was no way Tawney could avoid him as she delivered and picked up drink orders. He set her on edge and she wasn't sure why. What had happened between them was long over, silly, teenage drama. She had to let it go.
    "Hey, Barbie," a local called from his seat in the center of the bar.
    "Are you speaking to me?" Tawney asked.
    "Yeah, you, how about a beer?" He winked at her and Tawney noticed he had a missing front tooth.
    "Sure and the name's Tawney, not Barbie."
    "I'm Mel." He grinned. "You're a living doll, ain't she, Harry?"
    "I'll say," Harry agreed. His eyes did a slow burn down Tawney's body.
    This she was used to. The lewd looks, the comments. She ignored both and turned to Rick. "Two drafts."
    "So I heard." Rick poured the beers, taking them to the men himself. "Treat the lady with respect."
    "Aw, hell," Mel said. "It's a compliment."
    "Whatever," Rick said, rejoining Tawney.
    "I don't need you to champion me," Tawney said. "You'll ruin my tip."
    Rick frowned.
    The phone rang, and June picked up the call, her back to them.
    Tawney got the men a bowl of pretzels. "Here you go."
    "Thanks, honey," Mel said with a wink.
    "You're welcome." When she turned, June was talking to Rick.
    "Any chance you'd like to stay on until closing tonight?" June asked. "Debbie called in sick."
    Rick's stare bored into her as if he were willing her to say no.
    Tawney's chin came up. "Of course. Happy to."
    June smiled. "Thank you, honey. These old bones don't like the late shift anymore."
    "No problem."
    The rest of her shift passed in a blur of drinks, loud music, and a couple of pats to her butt as she passed by. At two a.m. they ushered the last of the customers out and locked the door.
    Tawney sat on the barstool. "I'm beat and my feet are aching."
    Roy walked over to the jukebox and put on a popular dance song. Music filled the bar and without the customer chatter they could actually hear the song.
    Rick slid the salt and pepper shakers to her.
    "Thanks." She worked to fill the shakers as Rick finished loading the dishwasher and wiping down the bar area. In the kitchen, Roy sang along with the music as he cleaned the grill. An hour later they were done with their closing chores.
    "See you tomorrow," Roy said. "Late shift for me again."
    "Have a good night, Roy." She liked the cook. He was a friendly, family man, nice, always in a good mood.
    Tawney wound her red scarf around her neck and put her hat on before slipping into her jacket.
    "Goodnight, Rick," she said on her way out.
    "Give me a minute and I'll walk with you," Rick said. "I just need to lock the till."
    "No need." She waved on her way out the door.
    She'd never left work this late. She shoved her gloved hands into her pockets. The street was empty. Clouds obscured the moon, casting the town into shadow. Tawney put her head down and picked up her pace. She rounded the corner heading toward the boardwalk to the cottage. She passed the back of The Junebug. When she hit the boardwalk, something snapped behind her. She whirled around but didn't see anything. Sure it must be an