“I know what you mean. I love it here.”
Like her, Justin and his brothers hadn’t grown up in town. Though Elko, their hometown, was less than fifty miles from Wilde, it was as different as night and day.
She filled his water glass. “I didn’t ask for a bodyguard, but it’s nice to know someone has my back. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Would you like a piece of pie? It’ll be my treat.”
“That would be great, Danielle.”
She left to retrieve his dessert.
Anna, the other waitress, came over. “I’m sorry to have to leave you like this, but honestly I can’t stay any longer. I called Carlotta. She’ll be in to help you with the next rush. She’s driving here now from the ranch she and Deuce just bought.”
Carlotta was the owner of Norma’s Diner and quite the character. She also owned Carlotta’s Liquor Store and Tarot Card Reading Room. An odd combination, but in Wilde, it worked. Carlotta was the local psychic, and many went to her for readings. Danielle had never gone to her, though the dear woman had offered several times. She didn’t believe in such things. In fact, she didn’t believe in much, only herself.
“I’ll finish my side work before I leave,” Anna said.
Danielle could tell by how flushed Anna’s face was that she had to be burning up with fever. “Go home. I can handle this just fine. Feel better.”
“But if I get the napkin dispensers and salt and pepper shakers filled, that will make it easier on you.”
She shook her head. “No. Just go. I’ve got it covered, Anna.”
“Okay. I swear when you need a favor, I’ll be there for you.”
“I know you will.”
Anna left.
Danielle wiped off the tables and collected her tips. The people of Wilde were so generous. There wasn’t a day that went by that she didn’t pocket a lot of money.
The bell on the entrance door chimed.
“Have a seat anywhere. I’ll be with you in a second.” She looked up from her work and saw Michael with two very handsome men.
Although she wasn’t interested in any man, she did appreciate a good-looking guy, and lucky for h
er, there were two delicious pieces of eye candy right in front of her.
They took a seat at one of the tables, their eyes locking in on hers.
She walked over to them. She knew Michael was wealthy, and by the look of the other two men’s clothes and the Rolexes on their wrists, she bet they were, too. She handed all three of them menus. “What would you gentlemen like to drink?”
“You know me better than that, Danielle. I’m no gentleman,” Michael teased. “And I can assure you that neither are these two.”
The one with the dimpled chin and blue eyes spoke first. “I really don’t care what I have to drink if you’ll join us.”
“Thank you, gentlemen, but I’m working.”
“Danielle, be careful with these two. They bite.” Michael pointed to the one who had invited her to sit. “This is Lance Archer, and this is Charles Covington.”
I’m the one who bites. She held up her ticket pad in one hand and her pen in the other. “Now, what can I get for you?”
Charles had dark eyes and the cutest grin she’d ever seen. “I’ll take a glass of iced tea with lots of your sugar in it.”
Lance and Charles were barking up the wrong tree.