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“I would. Her and the baby.”
Linc gave him a strange look.
“Where did you meet them? Why are they staying here with you?”
“Probably something for her to tell you.”
“Why do people keep saying that,” he muttered. “No one wants to give me a straight answer.”
“Guess you’ll have to discover the answers yourself. If Lilac is willing to share, that is.”
“You said they had an RV that needed fixing. Where is it? With Matt?” he asked.
“Yep. And that’s all I’m going to say. I’m going to go check on them.”
“Lilac’s not there.”
“That’s okay.” Linc whistled as he walked away.
Huh. Perhaps he was into the one with all the hair. That would certainly make things easier for Tanner.
18
Breathe through the pain.
Don’t let it get the best of you.
Last night, an older doctor with kind eyes had checked her over. He’d wanted her to get an x-ray of her side, but she’d assured him that she knew what a broken rib felt like and that it was only bruised.
Doc had given her a horrified look that she’d pretended not to see. She didn’t want to answer questions about how she knew what a broken rib felt like.
But the painkillers she’d taken before her shift this morning were wearing off. Her head was thumping, her wrist ached, and every time she moved, her side let her know that it wasn’t impressed.
But while she’d thought that she could get through anything, could push aside any pain, she had never worked a full-on shift at a diner after suffering a blow to the ribs, as well as a bruised and swollen wrist.
Thankfully, she’d managed to leave this morning before Opal or Ryleigh woke up and saw her. She just hoped they didn’t go out today and hear about the brawl.
Well, Ryleigh wouldn’t be. She still wasn’t feeling well.
Worry filled Lilac. Ryleigh didn’t have the best constitution. She often got bronchitis during winter. But it wasn’t winter. Surely, she’d feel better soon. Right?
The door dinged as someone entered, and she forced herself to move to the front of the diner to direct them to a seat. Well, there weren’t any tables or booths left. So, hopefully, they were okay sitting at the bar. Most of the locals didn’t mind, but there were still a few people here for the stock sale who’d gotten huffy when they’d seen how packed the place was.
She froze as she saw who was standing there, staring at her.
He grew tense as his gaze ran over her body. She wore dark yoga pants and a long-sleeved white top with the diner’s name on the back. A small apron was around her middle. She’d covered up her wrist as much as she could with the sleeves.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he boomed.
Everyone stopped talking. And she meant everyone.
Instant. Silence.
She could feel her cheeks growing heated as she looked around.
Peggy walked over from out the back. “I don’t want no trouble, Tanner Malone. This isn’t Dirty Delights.”
“That’s the asshole that attacked Ronny last night.” A guy stood up from a booth.
