CHAPTER 17
Darby
My phone buzzes from within my purse, indicating a text message. It could be from anyone really, but I hope it’s from Colt. Before I can look, though, I want to get settled in with Linnie.
I put my hand on my daughter’s shoulder and guide her through the tables in Central Café. After I got her tears dried a bit ago and assured her the black eye was barely noticeable, I offered to take her out for milkshakes for dinner. That always got a smile from her in the past, and today is no different.
When we’d walked in, Muriel waved and called out from behind the counter, “Just sit anywhere. I’ll be right over.”
Linnie hasn’t had the privilege of eating at Central Café, nor has she been able to meet many of the townsfolk since we spend so much time out on the farm. I know we’re guaranteed to run into an eclectic mix of people on any given trip into town, and I’m hoping that will also help get her mind off things.
We choose a table that seats four in the very back corner of the restaurant that is bordered on one side by the windows that overlook the street. I help Linnie take off her windbreaker and I remove the light wool shawl I had thrown around me before we left the farm. When I sit down, I reach into my purse and pull out my phone.
It is indeed a text from Colt. Caleb has been handled. He will not be bothering Linnie anymore.
The relief that courses through me almost makes me laugh with giddiness. Instead, I shoot a quick text back. You didn’t draw actual blood on a child, did you?
He sends me back an emoji that’s laughing with tears coming out of its eyes. He follows that with, Let’s just say his father and I have come to an understanding.
I think a few moments on how to respond, but there aren’t any right words to express my gratitude. I merely write back, Thank you, Colt. It means the world to me that you did that.
My pleasure.
Nothing else comes and I realize I want more. So I text him, Linnie and I are eating an early dinner at Central Café. Join us if you’d like. My treat.
His text back is prompt. Maybe I will.
Smiling, I set my phone down so I’m not tempted to text him again and grab two of the menus that are sitting in the center of the table in a condiment holder. I only take one and open it up, giving it a quick perusal. I already know Linnie will order a strawberry milkshake, which is her favorite, although I’m going to see if I can talk her into something more substantial. While milkshakes for dinner are a great way to ease frustrations and pain, it’s not the ideal meal. Funny I’m being a mom by offering milkshakes for dinner to help my kid on a rough day, and I’m still being a mom by wishing I could get her to eat some leafy greens with it.
Fat chance.
“How about a burger and some fries to go with that milkshake?” I ask her.
Linnie smiles, and my heart trips madly from that tiny gesture. On the best of days, Linnie’s smile is the best thing in the world. On her worst days, I feel like I’ve been handed the sun and the moon when I get one. Her tears just a little bit ago were breaking my heart so this smile is much needed.
“Just French fries,” she says to me. “I like to dip them in the milkshake.”
“That’s gross, baby.” I wrinkle my nose, but I’ll accept that a potato is at least a vegetable.
Muriel shows up at our table with a pad and a pencil in her hand. She’s wearing her standard Central Café uniform, and I introduce her to my daughter. “Linnie, this is Miss Muriel. She owns this restaurant.”
Linnie looks up and gives her a shy smile, followed by a little push of her glasses up her nose.
Muriel clucks her tongue and shakes her head as she looks at Linnie. “Oh baby, that shiner looks like it smarts. I can’t believe that Caleb Rochelle did that to a girl. What a bully.”
My mouth drops open in stunned surprise, and no words can even come out. Luckily, Linnie asks for me, “How did you know about that?”
Muriel grins at my daughter. “Well, you see, my daughter Rebecca is married to Silas Goddard’s son, Silas Junior. Silas Senior was eavesdropping on Colt when he tore Caleb’s daddy a new one. My understanding is Colt promised to visit on Jimmy tenfold whatever his son bestowed on you, darlin’. I guarantee you that boy won’t be messing with you again.”
I just continue to blink at Muriel, completely stunned she would know the circumstances of Colt’s talk with that little bully’s father just mere minutes after it happened.
I will never underestimate the power of the gossip mill again. It truly is better than CNN on delivering the most up-to-date news the fastest.
“You want a raw steak for that eye, honey?” Muriel asks.
“Huh?” Linnie says as her eyes grow wide behind her glasses.
Muriel circles her finger in the air and then points directly at Linnie’s black eye. “Raw steak. I’ve got a sirloin back there I’ll give your mama for cost. Put it against that black eye, and it’ll draw the bruise out faster than a whippoorwill’s butt in mosquito season.”
“Huh?” Linnie asks again.
I stifle a snicker and tell Muriel, “We’re good. I put some ice on it already.”
Muriel shakes her head. “Not as good as raw steak, but to each his own. Now, you girls know what you’re going to have for dinner?”
I nod and order the meatloaf special for myself. Linnie orders a strawberry milkshake and fries. As Muriel turns away to put our order in, I see Floyd walking in the front door of the restaurant. He looks all around and when his eyes land on me and lock, he purposely starts heading our way, which means he came in here looking for us.
Floyd walks right up to our table. Without invitation or preamble, he pulls out one of the chairs and sets his bulky frame in it. Linnie has not had the pleasure of meeting Floyd yet, and she stares at him all agog.
Floyd puts his meaty arms on the table and leans toward my daughter. He studies her face for a moment and says, “I heard what happened. Colt handled it with Jimmy Rochelle just fine, but had he not, you rest assured I would’ve had your back, little girl.”
Linnie just turns to look at me, and I can see a million questions in her gaze. I smile and jerk my chin toward Floyd. “This is Floyd. He owns the hardware store next door.”
Linnie doesn’t look at Floyd. It’s almost as if she’s terrified to take her gaze from mine and address the next eccentric character she’s met here in the town of Whynot.
“He’s a nice guy. He protects the town with a shotgun.”
Linnie finally nods at me and turns a shy look toward Floyd. “I remember.”
“Silas Goddard called me just now. He works out at Goddard Farms. Jimmy Rochelle was running his mouth about Colt coming out there. That’s how I heard what happened.”
This concerns me as Colt made it sound like everything was settled without any further issues. “Running his mouth? Do you think everything’s okay?”
Floyd scratches at his scruffy beard and nods. “It’s as right as rain, honey. Trust me, Jimmy Rochelle ain’t stupid enough to tangle with Colt. He just likes to hear himself talk.”
“So why do you protect the town with a shotgun if the town already has a police department?” Linnie asks Floyd, and he turns his gaze to her.
She seems to be completely over her discombobulation and is looking at him curiously. He smiles at her. At least I think it’s a smile, but it’s hard to tell under all that wiry gray beard that hangs down his chest. I do note his eyes crinkle a little at the corners.
“Well, that’s a good question and one that I’ve been asked a lot. The short answer is… I love this town. Born and raised here. Never wanted to go anywhere else. I love all the people in it. And while I think we have a fine police force, they just can’t patrol every inch of this town every night. So I lend my services to the good people of Whynot. Plus, I really like shooting my shotgun. Since it’s illegal in the city limits, I feel extra important that they let me do that.”
“They let you?” Linnie asks in awe.
Floyd shrugs. “I haven’t been arrested yet.”
“Can I patrol with you one night?” Linnie asks excitedly.
“Of course,” Floyd says.
At the same exact time, I say, “Absolutely not.”
Both ignore me and lapse into a conversation about town patrols and shotguns. My attention is redirected to the door that swings open, and I watch as Colt walks in.
Like Floyd, he lets his gaze roam around the restaurant until it locks with mine. His lips tip upward at the corners, and he saunters our way. My pulse goes bananas knowing this sweet, kind, and generous man just went and defended my daughter’s honor by threatening to kick that little bully’s dad’s butt.
Now that is damn attractive.
As Colt pulls out the last chair at our table, Muriel calls out to him, “You want the special?”
“Yup,” he calls back.
Muriel yells to Floyd. “What do you want?”
“I’ll have the same. And bring me a sweet tea.”
And just like that, we have two dinner companions and I couldn’t be happier.
Colt is sitting to my right, and he leans toward me. His gaze cuts to Linnie briefly before settling back to me. “How is she?”
I give him a smile. “She’s fine. We both are thanks to you handling that for us. Thank you again.”
“It seriously was my pleasure, darlin’,” Colt murmurs in a low voice that sends tingles up my spine. His voice drops an octave lower, and he leans in just a little closer so only I can hear, “Maybe you’ll even give me a kiss one day in gratitude.”
My voice is hoarse and raspy when I tell him, “I can probably accommodate that.”