She walked out to her car and noticed a tractor in the distance and wondered if that was Rollin hard at work. She opened the car door and tossed her purse inside. It was time to ride into Danville and see what was up.
Tayler had no idea where she was going, but she remembered Rollin telling her a diner was just inside town. She rolled her window down and then scanned radio stations trying to find something other than country music. She finally located a hip-hop station. Glancing at the clock, she figured Nicole should be at her desk by now and pulled out her cell phone.
“Good morning, Nicole Burns.”
“I figured I’d catch your ass at work, since you seem to be dodging my calls.”
“Tayler! Hey, girl, how’s it going?”
“Didn’t you get any of my voice messages or emails?”
Nicole laughed. “Girl, that riding-out-on-the-truck thing must be something new. I didn’t know about that.”
“So, not only am I the only guest here, but Rollin expects me to ride out every morning with this young guy I don’t know to pick my own damn food. Not to mention their coffee is the worst I’ve ever had. I’m going into town for a cup now.”
“Come on, Tayler, relax and get into it. Life in the country is different than life in Chicago.”
“I know that. But I booked myself into a B and B hoping to get a little rest. So far, I’ve been awakened before the break of dawn and forced to work without coffee. I rode in the bed of a dirty rusted-out truck. Oh, and a snake chased me through the fields. Does that sound like I’m relaxing to you?”
Nothing but laughter came from the other end of the phone, which pissed Tayler off.
“I’m glad you find this so freakin’ amusing.”
“I don’t mean to laugh at you, but you should hear yourself. You’ve been there two days and you sound like a spoiled brat. You’re in the country, Tayler. There are snakes and old trucks in the country. You’re out of your element, but that’s what you needed. You’ll survive without Starbucks for a little while.”
“What are you now, my therapist?”
“No, but I know what you need. I hope you haven’t been on that computer, either. Read a book, go for long walks and see if Rita will let you help her in the garden. Get back to nature for a minute.”
Now Tayler had to laugh. “You set me up, didn’t you? You knew all along this wasn’t going to be what I expected.”
“No, that’s not true.”
Tayler took a deep breath as she approached town. “Nicole, you owe me for this, that’s all I’m saying. If I even end up staying the month, you owe me dinner at Spiaggia’s when I get back.”
“Girl, you got it. Just try to relax and destress. I hate to cut you off, but I’ve gotta run to a meeting. Stay in touch.”
“Oh, I most certainly will.” Tayler hung up just as she saw a large tattered green-and-white sign come into view. Donita’s Diner. The sign was set close to the road, most likely so guests didn’t drive by too fast and miss the diner. She pulled into the lot and killed the engine. The outside had seen better days and could use a paint job. She hoped the inside would fare better.
The minute she opened the door, she knew she was in trouble. The heavy smells of grease and cigarette smoke hung in the air. A tired-looking middle-aged waitress greeted Tayler and led her across the sticky floor to a table. Tayler tried not to slip and fall. After the waitress recited the morning special, Tayler ordered a cup of coffee and a three-egg omelet.
“Is this seat taken?”
She looked up from the menu she’d kept to see Officer Greg holding the chair across from her, dressed in his snug-fitting uniform.
Tayler gestured to the empty chair across from her in answer to Greg’s question. “No, help yourself.” However, a quick sweep of the room revealed plenty of empty chairs.
“You’re the young lady staying out at Coleman House, right?”
“Yes, you stopped me and escorted me in the other day. You’re Greg, right?”
“Greg Mason.” He extended his hand.
She accepted it. “Tayler Carter.” She had peeped Office Greg’s rugged good looks when he had pulled her over. Now, she noticed his muscular physique, as well.
“It’s nice to meet you, Tayler. I thought I recognized you. Is this your first time in Danville?”
“Yes, it is. I’m on vacation.”
“Where you from?”
“Chicago.”
“So, how do you like our little town?”
“I haven’t seen much outside of the ride into town, and then to here this morning.”
“Then you’ll have to let me give you the ten-cent tour.”
The waitress returned with two cups of coffee and their food. Tayler assumed Officer Greg was a regular, since the waitress knew what he wanted to eat.
“I’m surprised you’re not eating at Coleman House. Rita’s one of the best cooks in the county.”
Tayler blew on her piping-hot coffee. “So I’ve heard, but I’m not too keen on having to pick my own food every day.”
He nodded in agreement as he began eating.
Tayler sliced into her omelet as melted cheese oozed all over the plate. Then she bit into crunchy vegetables. She chewed them up enough to swallow, then chased it down with a little coffee that activated her gag reflex.
Greg laughed. “Yeah, the coffee’s an acquired taste.”
She wrinkled her nose and pushed the cup away. “That’s coffee?”
He laughed harder, and then leaned into the table. “Stop out at the Speedway gas station and you can get a better cup. But don’t tell anybody I told you that.”
“Thanks,” she whispered, and gave him a coconspirator nod.
She played with the rest of her food while Greg finished his so fast she was sure he’d have indigestion later.
After breakfast he walked her out to her car. “I was serious about that tour. If you’re not busy when I get off, I can come out and pick you up.”
He’s persistent—how sweet.
“Maybe another time. I’m still trying to rest up from the drive down.”
“Well, if you change your mind—” he produced a business card “—give me a call.”
She took the card and glanced at it before shoving it into her purse. “Sure.”
Tayler found the Speedway gas station on her way back to the house and purchased a large cup of coffee. Greg was right—this was coffee.
When she pulled up to the house, Rita and Rollin stood on the front porch. She hesitated with her coffee cup in hand but decided to go ahead since this wouldn’t be the only morning she went out for coffee.
As she walked up the steps, Rollin gazed down at her in a way that made the hair on the back of her neck stand up.
“I see you found some coffee.”
She held up the cup. “It’s not Starbucks, but there’s nothing like a shot of caffeine to get the juices flowing.”
“Then you’re probably ready to