Page 18 of The Fear (The Hillers of Barratt County #7)

Billy was there again. Jessica filled the coffee mugs for Max Hiller and that old guy Mr. Fields.

But she was more aware of the man who had entered the diner than she was the two old coots who always looked at her like they were so much better than she was.

Because they were wealthy ranchers and she was just the diner girl.

Not good enough for their sons or something. They had always been that way.

Well, she didn’t need them. There was a guy out there waiting for her. She just had to find him. She really hoped Billy was going to be that guy.

“You take your break,” Jessica told Dinah. “I’m going to take care of the guy who just entered.”

Dinah just looked at her. “I’ll be back in fifteen.”

Of course she would. Dinah never took a minute longer than she was entitled. Such a goody-goody. Dinah’s panties would catch fire if she ever did anything bad or unchristian. People like her disgusted Jessica.

Going to die an old maid. Jessica had told her that dozens of times before.

Not Jessica. She wanted a guy who had a future.

One who could get her out of this hellhole completely.

Even when she’d been with Brenton she’d had to work.

He hadn’t made enough money for her to stay home completely.

Not that she would have liked to do all the housework and kids stuff, but at least she wouldn’t have had to be here.

She hated it here.

But no one else would hire her. She’d tried to get on in the cafeteria at the hospital but that stupid Genny Hiller had probably blocked her application or something.

Those Hillers had never liked her. Or her friends.

She had friends from high school who worked at the hospital.

Her friend Mandy had said Jessica wouldn’t have liked working there anyway.

Not with that Aubrey woman there and that Dr. Alvaro always in and out keeping a close eye on her husband in case he decided to stray or something.

Oh, Jessica wished. Except that guy had five kids now. She wasn’t interested in ever being a stepmother. Not for a minute.

Two kids were more than enough.

But Billy was there.

And he was waiting for her now.

Jessica greeted the last man she’d dated with a smile…