Jesse smiled at her. “What’s the special today?”
“Chicken with dumplings.”
“Okay, we’ll each have one. And coffee for me. Tori?” He met her gaze with a lifted brow.
“Make that one chicken with dumplings, for him. I will have a cup of tea and toast.” She closed her menu and handed it to the waitress.
“Are you crazy? You skipped breakfast. I’m not dragging a woman fainting from hunger around with me all afternoon.”
The waitress gazed around the room with a bored expression.
“Two chicken with dumplings, with two pieces of apple pie. And two coffees.” Jesse slapped his menu closed, and the waitress left.
“I can’t afford to eat big meals.” She glanced around and lowered her voice. “For your information, Mr. Cochran, I don’t have a lot of money with me.”
“I’m paying.” He leaned back in his chair.
“No, you’re not.” She brushed trail dust from her pants.
He rolled his eyes. “You can pay me back.”
“Good. I will. Be sure to let me see the check before you pay it.” She smiled cheerfully.
He moved the salt, pepper, and sugar bowl into a line. “Goddamn.”
“Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain.” Her chin lifted in defiance.
The first bit of hope arrived with their meals. A brief conversation with the waitress revealed Rachel had been in the restaurant the day she took the train. No, she claimed, she hadn’t seen the young girl since. Cheered with the news that Rachel had at least made it this far, Tori turned her attention to her food.
She ate her meal with gusto. For hours her stomach had reminded her how stupid it had been to pass up breakfast with the Coles. Truth be known, it hadn’t been a problem to eat the large meal. Of course, she could have done without the grin on Jesse’s face as she ate.
Who cared what he thought anyway? An overbearing, arrogant man.
As soon as they found Rachel and returned home, she would have no more to do with him. Ever.
I bet you even believe that.
She studied Jesse from beneath her lashes. He might be arrogant and exude that fake charm, but she couldn’t fool herself into believing she had no attraction to him. Especially when he looked at her a certain way and gave her that lopsided grin.
Every time her memories drifted to last night, her temperature rose. As much as she hated to admit it, she’d enjoyed their improper behavior. Hopefully, God being busy solving world problems, He didn’t hear that thought. In fact, since they pretended to be married, maybe God didn’t care.
Jesse looked at her and smirked. Annoyed at being caught almost salivating, she scowled and said, “Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s go.”
“Hold on there.” Jesse grabbed her hand as she jumped up from the table. “Exactly where are you headed?”
“We know Rachel made it this far since the waitress remembered her, so I think we should ride to Maple Grove to Mary Jane McRae’s house. That must be where she is.”
“Fine.” Jesse stood and studied the check. He reached into his pocket and threw money on the table. “Just stay away from the snakes.”
The sun made its exit in a blaze of glory. Despite the beauty of the orange, lavender, and deep red of an Oklahoma sunset, Tori agonized over another day gone without reaching her niece.
They’d spent a couple of hours purchasing food for the rest of the trip, and settling the bill with the livery. Then Jesse’s horse threw a shoe, adding to the delay since the blacksmith didn’t understand the word hurry.
Jesse tipped his hat back with one finger, eyeballing the darkening sky. “I think we should stay at the hotel tonight and set out first thing in the morning.”
Tori shook her head. “No. I can’t afford a hotel room. We can leave now and spend the night on the road.”
“I’ll pay for the room.” He raised one hand, palm facing her, before she could speak. “Before you say it, I know. You can pay me back.”