Read Lone Star Burn: Taken by Surprise (Kindle Worlds Novella) for Free Online Page B

laugh at that. “Thank you. I think.”
    “I mean, you don’t put on airs, or anything, coming from the high-class place in Houston.” She paused. “At least, not yet. Anyway, we could see that deputy somehow upset you. I thought he was too good to be true.”
    Jessie lifted her eyebrows. “Oh? In what way?”
    “He’s too good-looking and is nice to everyone. And does his job extra good. Nobody’s that perfect even if he can ride a horse.”
    Jack rode a horse? That was news to her.
    “He’s just someone I knew some time ago. I’m fine. It was just a shock to see him here.”
    “Okay, then. But him hanging out with that Lynne Robbins doesn’t boost him up a notch for me.”
    That made her curious. “Why not?”
    “You watch out for her. She’s a first-class man-eater, and she doesn’t much care whose man it is.” She started to walk away then turned back. “We’ll be setting up for lunch pretty soon. If you want to come out, me and Alton will walk you through it.”
    Now that was a surprise. Was it just because they felt sorry for her?
    “Thank you. I’ll be out in a few.”
    She could tackle the computer later. Getting a feel for the flow of the operation was more important. It would also give her a chance to assess the kinds of food people ordered and figure out supplies.
    They closed at five, and by six o’clock, when they locked up, Jessie had a strong appreciation for the skill of the people who worked there. The teams worked split shifts, five to twelve and twelve to six, alternating times each day. She’d have to figure out how her own time could be best spent. She wanted to do some cooking, too, but not until she’d had at least a week to get in the rhythm of things, and for her employees to get used to her.
    She’d also learned a few things. For the most part, the people of Fort Mavis were very nice and no one at Delfina’s Diner liked Jack’s new lady friend.
    “We’ll be opening tomorrow,” Diane said as they stood in the parking area. “You don’t need to get here that early.”
    “I want to learn everything I can about this place. Maybe work with all of you to come up with some new ideas.” Oh, wait. Maybe that wasn’t too good. “If you all are willing, that is.”
    They both looked at her as if trying to find some hidden meaning in her words. Then Bob nodded.
    “Okay. See you then.”
    She climbed into her SUV and sat there with the door open for a minute, just thinking about the day. Everything had been a revelation to her, especially the fact that she was caught up in the whole concept.
    “So, it was you I saw yesterday on the street here. Just what the hell do you think you’re doing here?”
    The voice startled her, so she let out a small scream. Then she looked up to find Jack Ward standing by her car, glaring at her.
     
    Jack had debated with himself about doing this, confronting her, but he wanted to know what the hell she was doing in Fort Mavis. He’d moved halfway across Texas to leave her and the memories behind, and here she was, bringing them back like a really bad dream. How could she just show up in his life like this when she’d put her fancy career ahead of him and walked away? He didn’t know whether to strangle her or kiss her, and that in itself made him mad.
    “Just what the hell are you doing in Fort Mavis?”
    If he’d expected her to be intimidated, he was way off the mark. He should have known better. Jessie was a spitfire who wasn’t unsettled by anything. At least not that she showed.
    She glared at him. “I could ask you the same thing.”
    “I have a job here,” he growled.
    “And I inherited a business,” she snapped.
    They stared at each other.
    “So, you didn’t follow me here? Trying to patch things up?” Now that was a stupid thing to say. She was the one who walked away, not him. She didn’t even know he was here.
    “Why would I do that? I didn’t even know you were here. Get over yourself, will you?”
    He had so many