Page 6 of Mountain Man's Summer Drift
“What can I get y’all? I’m Tara, by the way.”
“Cheeseburger,” Ross said. “Fries. Sweet tea.”
“Same,” I said. “Water.”
Tara nodded and left. I watched her go and noted that she hadn’t asked how I wanted the burger or the fries. Like she already knew the answer was whatever Ross was having.
That had to mean something. I just couldn’t decide what.
“Has she known you a long time?” I asked.
“Year.”
“That’s not a long time.”
“It is in a town this size.”
The man from the counter came over with our drinks. He set them down without spilling either one and put his hands flat on the table, just for a second, like he was deciding something.
“Ross,” he said.
“West.”
“You don’t come in for lunch.”
“Today I did.”
West looked at me. “I don’t think I’ve met you.”
“Sunnie Jensen. I’m staying up at the Alderman cabin with a friend.”
He nodded. He didn’t smile, exactly. His face softened by maybe one degree.
“West Calloway. I own the place.” He glanced at Ross. “Your usual?”
“Already ordered.”
“Both of you?”
“Both.”
West’s mouth did something that wasn’t quite a smile. “All right then.”
He went back to the counter.
I looked at Ross.
“What was that?” I asked.
“That was West.”
“Why did he come over?”
“He likes to know who’s in town.”
“It felt like he was vetting me.”
“He was.”
