Читать книгу Lassoing the Deputy - Marie Ferrarella, Marie Ferrarella - Страница 13

Chapter Four

Sleep had eluded her for most of the night, finally descending on her at almost three in the morning. Because she was so exhausted by then, she had overslept.

Feeling as if she was running on empty, Alma rushed through her shower and into her clothes. Her stomach protested the lack of fuel, rumbling and growling as she hurried to her car.

She knew she wouldn’t be of any use to anyone if she didn’t have at least something to eat. So, with a sigh, she made a quick side trip to the diner. She was going to get an order of French toast to go. French toast was her number-one comfort food, something her mother used to make in order to cheer her up when she was a little girl. Eating it always made her remember those days and how secure she’d felt.

She needed a dose of that right now. Badly.

Miss Joan looked up the second she opened the door.

“I was hoping you’d come in today.” Glancing over her shoulder, she called out to the cook in the kitchen. “Roberto, one order of French toast to go.”

Alma blinked, surprised. “How did you know?” she asked.

“I know a lot of things. What I don’t know,” Miss Joan said, coming closer, “was what the hell that was yesterday.”

Alma did her best to look innocent, hoping Miss Joan would take the hint. “What do you mean?”

“You know damn well what I mean, baby girl,” Miss Joan said. “The second Harry’s boy came in with him, you hightailed it out of here like some scared jackrabbit who’d just backed up into a coyote.” There was both annoyance and disappointment in the woman’s voice.