The Better Brother

“You’re no trouble. Now, that sorry ex of yours—you ain't heard from him, have you?” Liza’s thick southern accent was unmistakable. She’d grown up in a place called Caney Head in southeast Texas and had moved here to Buffalo, Wyoming, when she was just twenty to marry a man who had been about as good as my ex, Nick.

She’d met Brady’s father a year later. Unfortunately, that hadn’t worked out either.

“No, not since I got a different number. Still, it’s scary thinking he can find me easily given his ties with the police force across the country. Listen, I appreciate everything you’re doing for me, but if you ever feel it’s too much for you and Brady, then you just say so. I’ll find another place.” I didn’t want to put anyone else in danger.

She laughed softly. “Not around here you won’t. Besides, me and Brady always share a room and rent the other. It helps with the bills.”

Mack called out as the order bell sounded and I grabbed the tray and carefully walked it over to the table as Liza busied herself pouring refills from the coffee pot.

The bells on the door chimed and in walked the sexiest man I’d seen since coming to this sleepy little mountain town.

His dark hair and beard were trimmed short, and his eyes were an icy blue that didn’t just meet mine but seemed to penetrate them. I was so entirely captivated by his muscular body and impeccably good looks, that I almost didn’t notice the young girl by his side. He towered above her, and she was so tiny, she couldn’t have been more than five years old. She had his eyes, but her skin was much paler, and her rosy cheeks were bright and framed by a mess of curly blond hair that had fallen out of her ponytail.

He walked over to my section and lifted the little girl into one side of a booth and then took the other. Liza came up beside me with a stack of menus. “He’s a hot one, ain't he? He’s been coming in here for a few years now, but the little girl, she’s new. She started showing up with him about three months ago.”

“They have the same eyes. Does her mother ever come in?” I figured the man would be married. He was far too hot not to be.

“No, just the two of them. He’s the reclusive type, and she’s a total mystery. No one’s sure if she’s his or not. And if he’s her father, he’s very new to it.”

“Why do you say that?” All I could see was the perfect picture of a father and daughter. He smiled adoringly as she placed a napkin in her doll’s collar and opened a menu for her.

“I’ve been watching him, and he’s a bit awkward with her. He treats her like she might break, or like she’s a bomb about to explode in his hands. You watch him a minute, you’ll see what I mean.” She pushed the menus at me. “Go get him.” She gave me a wink, but I shook my head. The last thing I needed was another man, no matter how achingly handsome he was.

I took a deep breath and walked across the room toward them. He’s just a man, Dream, nothing more. I couldn’t believe how shaken I was inside; practically nervous. “How are you today? What can I get for you?”

He looked at me for a moment as if he had lost all train of thought, and I thought maybe he hadn’t heard me, but then he quickly recovered. “Fine, thanks. Sorry, you’re new.” He glanced over at Liza who had busied herself with another table but kept looking over her shoulder to see what was happening.

“I could get you another waitress if you like.” I suddenly felt insecure.

“No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way. I just haven’t seen you around before.”

The way he was looking at me made me feel all kinds of warm. He looked hungry for more than breakfast, which was odd considering he probably had women throwing themselves at him left and right.

“I’m new in town; just started a few days ago. Do you know what you might like?” I didn’t want to have to answer any questions about my personal life, or what had brought me to Wyoming, so I kept myself in professional mode.

“Yeah, I’ll take the All American. What do you want, Star?” The little girl kept her head down and gave me the side eye. “Remember our deal. If you want to eat you have to order your own food. Tell the nice lady what you want.”

The little girl turned her head and looked up at me with those big blue eyes that matched the man’s. “I want waffles please, and one for Jackie too.” She tucked the little napkin into the doll’s collar a bit more as the man smiled.

He cleared his throat. “Are you sure Jackie can eat a whole waffle by herself? She’s got an awfully tiny stomach. Maybe you should just share yours.”

Disappointment dawned on her face, and I could tell she was upset, but she kept quiet.

I leaned forward and spoke softly to the girl. “I tell you what, how about you order your waffles, and I’ll bring Jackie her very own little plate and a fork so you two can share?” I paused my pen as the little girl nodded her head.

The man looked up and regarded me closely. I couldn’t tell if he was irritated by my suggestion or not. Either way, he didn’t say a word.

“Can I get you a coffee or soda?” I put the pad away.

“Yeah, I’ll have a coffee and get her a chocolate milk.” The little girl looked across the table at him and gave a slight smile. She seemed very cautious in her mannerisms, and I wondered if he were strict with her when they weren’t in public.

“Coming right up.” I hurried to get their drinks, and when I returned with them, the two weren’t talking or carrying on a conversation like I’d expected them to be.

The little girl was staring out the window with a somber expression, and he was looking at his phone. I was starting to see what Liza meant. The mystery deepened.

“Here you go.” I placed the little plate in front of the girl’s doll, and then a fork too. Then I placed their orders in front of them. “Did I hear right that your name is Star?” I glanced at the man, but the little girl turned her head up and nodded quickly. “That’s a beautiful name. And it’s unique like mine. I’m Dream.” I pointed to my nametag.

“That’s a pretty name,” she said, smiling.