She’d been too stunned to say no, and because of that, she did indeed have a new job.
Groaning, she rolled over. Might as well sleep in since she now apparently worked the night shift. She closed her eyes, putting the pillow over her head to block out the morning light. But returning to sleep was out of the question. She’d been getting up early too long to break the habit in a day.
Slowly, she sat up and shoved her hair out of her eyes. But when she put her feet on the floor, she yanked them back. Pins and needles stabbed her abused toes. When was the last time she’d done that much standing and walking? “Never,” she mumbled and hobbled into the bathroom.
Thankfully, the shower came on hot nearly immediately, and she stepped under the spray with a sigh. Warm. Comforting. Leaning back against the tiles, she let the water wash over her.
What had happened to her life? Two days ago, she’d had a job she loved—a career job, not a waitress job—her grandfather was safely situated in his little house and life was good.
Now none of that was true. Closing her eyes, she tried to force herself to relax. This might be her last chance to do that.
Had she really told Trey she’d be working again today for a whole shift? The man did intrigue her. Tall. Athletic. Cowboy boots and jeans were never a bad thing. His image was fresh and clear in her mind—his voice, deep and warm, echoed in her thoughts.
Stop that! She grabbed the soap and lathered up. Now was the time to focus—and not on some guy, no matter how good-looking.
Still, if she was working at the bar, when was she going to job hunt? Heck, when was she going to find her grandfather? Or some decent shoes? She needed some support for her poor arches if she was going to be a waitress.
She was not going to be a waitress forever, she reminded herself. It was just...temporary. She was an event planner with a life in Denver, not here.
Turning off the water, Lisa grabbed one of the big, fluffy towels. Another reality. She couldn’t afford to stay here, not on a waitress’s salary, though she had gotten some really nice tips last night.
She’d have to stay at her grandfather’s place until she found him. But what if the intruder came back? What if she was asleep when they did? She couldn’t stay awake all the time. She shivered and stepped out of the shower.
Oh, what was the purpose in fretting? She quickly dressed and headed down to breakfast—it was free, after all. Images of an old lady she’d seen at a buffet once, sliding food into her purse, came to mind.
Was that why grandmas always had huge purses? To slip food into, just in case? No, no, she reprimanded herself in her best mental impression of her grandmother.
Free breakfast here, and Trey had told her she could get lunch if she came in early. She’d be fine. Her stomach growled in a loud taunt.
She’d been destitute for all of twenty-four hours, and she was already turning into a pathetic shadow of herself. Shaking her head, she went downstairs in search of food and her sanity.
Evelyn was up bright and early. The older woman bustled behind the serving table, directing a couple of young girls to refill the serving trays. Lisa’s heart hitched. That was her job. That was what she was supposed to be doing. Damn Robert and his greed.
“Good morning, dear,” Evelyn greeted her. “Did you sleep well?”
“Uh, yes, I did.” Once she got to bed. Three in the morning had been way past her normal bedtime. She headed for the coffee first.
“So glad to hear it.” Evelyn moved on down the line, stirring the food and directing the girls. “Better help yourself quick. We’ll be done soon.” She smiled at Lisa before disappearing into the kitchen with a nearly empty tray of potatoes.
The food did smell delicious, and Lisa heaped a plate full. Her panic returned to taunt her, but she pushed it away. She would find a solution to her current situation.
Evelyn came in with a set of to-go containers. She set them on the end of the long buffet table.
“Who are those for?” Lisa asked, not seeing anyone else in the room.
“We package up all the leftovers and take them to the church. They offer them to some of the parishioners who need help.”
“Oh, that’s nice.” Lisa’s voice faded. Was she destined to be one of those people? What if she couldn’t find a job? A real job, she amended. What if she was stuck here?
Now, cut that out!
She couldn’t be stuck here, she reminded herself. She had an apartment—and rent due in two weeks.
She took a deep breath with the next bite of eggs. She was being ridiculous.
“Morning, Ev. Lisa.”
Sam? What was he doing here? “Did you hear from Grandpa?” Her own situation and appetite forgotten, Lisa looked up at the big man.
Sadly, Sam shook his head and slid into the seat across from her. “No, hon. I came over to check if you had. Did he call you?” His eyes seemed sad, almost haunted, like he’d lost his best friend. Which in reality, he had. Her stomach dropped, and she set her fork down.
Then she remembered that last night she’d turned her ringer off and had shoved her phone into her pocket as soon as she’d waited on the first table. She’d been too tired to check it last night.
Would she have even heard it ring in the noisy bar? She struggled to pull the phone out of her purse then thumbed on the screen. Her heart sank. No calls.
“No.” She stared at the screen, hoping maybe it would ring now just because she wished it. It stayed silent. “Nothing.”
“Did you find anything else out last night?” She’d seen him by the Dumpster and knew he hadn’t found what he’d been looking for there.
“Nothing new about Win,” he answered.
Did the big man actually look sadder? What wasn’t Sam telling her?
“Unfortunately, his isn’t the only case I’ve got right now.” He looked at her then, the sadness of a friend gone from his eyes and the distance of a working lawman in its place.
* * *
TREY WATCHED HIS brand-new waitress move around the crowded room. She wasn’t homeless; she’d given him a very brief explanation on her situation. If she was staying at The Guest House—the nicest place in town—she was far from homeless.
Tonight, Lisa was wearing black cowboy boots with a pale peach dress that skimmed the tops of her pretty knees. He watched the skirt sway and swirl. Watched her smile shine down on the customers at each booth and table.
Who had taught her how to dress for a mountain winter? With the snow swirling outside, she should be freezing, but she’d been running back and forth, filling orders for over two hours. A sheen of sweat glistened on her brow, and earlier she’d pulled her blond hair back into a loose braid that was now little more than an idea.
It was still pretty, though he reminded himself he shouldn’t notice. He was her boss, for God’s sake. Well, technically, he was a supervisor and Hap was the boss. Except all Hap ever did here was drink with his buddies.
She was graceful despite the boots that should have made her just the opposite. At least, she couldn’t sneak up on him.
“Hey, give me two whiskeys, neat, and a couple of daiquiris for the lightweights with them.” She leaned against the counter and watched as he pulled the drinks together.
“You should take a break.” Trey shoved ice into the blender wishing she—and her amazing