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“Zo, I’m going to tell you something, and I want you to listen to me. Don’t ever question what I’m about to tell you. Understood?” Ryker grabs my hands.
“Okay.” Sniffling, I close my eyes and try to control my shaking.
“I’m here for you, completely. There’s no reason you have to feel alone because you have me, you have my family, and you sure as fuck have this town. They’ve taken to your heart, just as I have. You’re special, Zo.” Ryker takes my hand and places it with his over his heart. “I promise that I’ll never do anything to hurt you or cause you pain.”
My hand wraps tighter around his. I believe him, I do. But when the truth comes out, will he still promise those things?
Ryker’s touch makes me shudder. Tilting my head up, I look into those beautiful blue eyes. His eyes soften when they meet mine.
“I promise. You’re not alone.” Ryker whispers to me as he places his forehead on mine, and we stay locked in each other’s gazes.
There’s a warmness in my heart, and I can feel the truth in his words. I know whatever is going on, my heart and head are not on the same page.
Chapter 8
Zoey
For the firsttime in a long time, I feel like I’ve settled into my roles. This week’s been a struggle, but I’m finally getting the hang of things on the ranch and here at Joan’s Diner.
Working at the diner has actually been nice. Locals spend a lot of their time there, so it’s given me a chance to get to know them. And they are all great people full of stories and kindness. They have all been so friendly to me, accepting me into their fold like I belong.
“Betty and Tom! How are you folks doing today?” Walking over to their table, I bend down and give them hugs. Betty and Tom are older folks with grandkids. They live off their retirement and just enjoy life. They travel sometimes, going to see their kids and grandkids. I’ve learned, however, that they prefer Weston to any other place they’ve visited, which is why they still live here.
“Oh, dear, you know how it is. We’re actually leaving to go see our youngest son next week in Colorado,” Betty tells me. She’s a short older woman with long grey hair that she often visits the local salon get done so nicely. She told me she was eighty-one, but has never felt younger because her great-grand babies keep her feeling like she’s forty. Betty has twelve great-grand babies. Twelve.
I smile. “That’s great to hear.”
“How are you and the sheriff doing?” Betty’s eyes sparkle.
“Um. I don’t understand the question.” My brows furrow.
Betty places a hand on my arm. “You know, since you guys are together now.”
“Oh! No, we’re not together.” I chuckle.
“Dear, I know that look when I see it. The eyes that meet across the room, the sparkle. The sweet smile he gives you and only you. You two each have that look. Look at you, you’re turning ten different shades of red.”
Before I can respond, Tom speaks up. “Leave the poor girl alone, Betty.” He turns to me and grins. Tom’s a quiet guy. Often sitting there and letting his wife ramble on about the town happenings. Tom runs his hand over his bald head. He says it’s habit from when he had hair.
“Fine, fine.” Betty concedes, and they give me their order. I head back towards the counter to put in their order. While walking away from them, I turn over her words. We don’t have a look, do we? I shake my head, no, we don’t.
The bell above the door rings, and I see Ryker and Deputy Johnson coming in for lunch. Ryker has made sure to stop in throughout the day to check on me when I work at the diner since I started. Usually, it’s for coffee in the morning and for lunch in the afternoon.
Honestly, I don’t mind it. He does look incredibly sexy in his uniform. As those thoughts go through my mind, Ryker sits right in front of me. A smile stretches across his face, and he quirks a brow. It’s then that I know I’ve been caught staring. My face immediately heats up.
“Sheriff Holliday and Deputy Johnson, what can I get for you?” My back straightens and I try to regain control of my body. I press my lips together, focusing on the task at hand.
“Zo, come on. It’s Ryker. Only you can get away with it.” He smiles at me, letting out a quiet chuckle.
“Uh, right.” So much for formalities. “Then what can I get for you two? The usual?” Like every day, they come in and get their cheeseburgers and fries. A water for Ryker and a Coke for the deputy.
“That sounds great, Zoey. Thank you.” Deputy Johnson nods and turns to wave at some of the other patrons in the diner. Deputy Johnson is a handsome man. Blonde hair and all. He must work out often, because he has a great body.But he’s not Ryker.
“So, I take it you all aren’t that busy today.” I tilt my head to the side and fiddle with the notepad in my hand.
Ryker puts his elbows up on the counter and then clasps his hands together. “Nope. We drove around to a couple of other towns, but all and all, it’s quiet.”
“And you just jinxed us, boss.” Johnson laughs.