A Secret to Shatter by Katie O’Connor

Chapter Three

Honey paused, one aisle over. She probably wasn’t meant to hear the last exchange between Robert and Ira. Welcome to the family? What did that mean?

Her curiosity didn’t matter. Over the years she’d become adept at keeping secrets to herself. Some days, being a waitress was like being a bartender, people confessed things to you they’d never tell anyone else. Not a day went by without a customer oversharing, or her overhearing part of a discussion not meant for her ears. She’d learned quickly to keep these tidbits of information to herself. She also knew secrets had a way of coming out and revealing themselves. She hoped Robert and Ira were ready for the explosion likely to result from their secret.

Pretending she hadn’t overheard, she carried on with her task of refilling salt shakers. Not the most exciting part of her day, but Robert’s revelation had added some interest in the last quiet moments before the afternoon coffee rush started.

Today her shift was ten to four. Next week would be early mornings with a 6 a.m. start. She liked the variety of shifts. They allowed her to search the internet at different times. Different chat rooms, different hours, different social media platforms and newscasts. Mixing it up gave her a better picture of the world events, just what she needed for her real job.

She finished filling the shakers and returned to the counter.

“What’s with you?” Lacy asked. “You look shell shocked. You’re totally white.”

“Nothing. I’m good. Tired, I guess. Late night surfing the web last night.”

“That is so BS. You were your normal perky self until you started filling salt. What did you overhear?” Like Honey, Lacy didn’t miss much of what went on around her.

Honey covered the large pitcher they used for salt and slid it back under the counter. “Nothing to talk about.” The lie slid off her tongue easier than it should have. She’d become adept at telling people she hadn’t been listening, or didn’t know anything of value, and she sure wasn’t going to reveal what Robert had said. Not in this lifetime. Especially since she knew secrets of this magnitude had a way of coming out and hurting people. A secret like Robert and Ira’s had the power to ruin lives.

It was clear Lacy didn’t believe her. She frowned and shook her head. “Whatever. I knew better than to ask. You never share anything you overhear. I admire that.”

The door chimed, calling Lacy away to take menus to their new customers. Honey breathed a sigh of relief and picked up the coffee pot. Time for another quick round of refills. She made her way slowly through the café, stopping to chat, and pour coffee to new arrivals. She handed the teens their bills. Standard order, fries and drinks all the way around. Finally, she stood by Robert’s table.

“Shall I put it on your tab?” she asked.

“That’ll be perfect, Honey.” Robert’s smile was warm and open. Obviously, he didn’t realize she was privy to their conversation. Luckily there hadn’t been anyone else close enough to overhear.

“Forget that,” Ira said. “I’ll get it today. Your delicious fruit is on me. I’ll take the bill, if you don’t mind.”

“Fruit wasn’t delicious,” Robert mumbled as Honey pulled out the last bill on her tray.

“Was there something wrong with your fruit?” she asked, sliding the paper onto the table near Ira, out of Robert’s reach.

“Yeah, it wasn’t apple pie.”

Honey laughed at his mock pique. “I’m sorry Robert. There were apples in it,” she teased.

Robert snorted in amusement. “Put Ira on the ranch’s tab in the future.” Robert had a tab he paid off monthly. His eldest son, Justice, used it regularly as working the ranch was his primary job. The rest of the family only used it occasionally. It was impressive that despite the tab, most Flints chose to pay their own way. Robert and Sue had instilled a great work ethic in their children. “Ira will be working for me,” Robert’s voice rang with pride.

“Oh? Congratulations, to both of you. I know Sue will be happy you’re backing off a bit.” She wondered how Robert’s wife would feel about what appeared to be a new family member. Knowing Sue, she’d take it in stride and welcome Ira with open arms. If Ira was a missing family member of some sort, it would explain how his eyes matched Robert’s.

Curiouser and curiouser. Maybe she’d do some snooping around on the internet between chats and see what she could learn about Ira. The thought shocked her. She never spied on others, unless it was a requirement of her other job.

“Gotta get back to the ranch. I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow. 7 a.m.” Robert shook Ira’s hand and ambled out of the café whistling, leaving Honey and Ira staring after him.

“He’s in a good mood,” Honey commented, holding up the coffee pot as a question.

“Yes, he is. One more cup and then I’m out of here,” Ira agreed.

“Sure thing. You can find me up front when you’re finished.”

For the next twenty minutes, it was all she could do to keep her eyes off Ira, and her mind on business. It wasn’t just the personal conversation she’d overheard; it was the man himself. He was handsome and kind; a lethal combination. He’d had this effect on her ever since his first visit. The lethality of his attraction hadn’t lessoned one bit. The breadth of his shoulders and length of his muscular legs played havoc with her concentration.

Before she knew it, the rush began and they were swamped taking orders and serving drinks. She returned to the staff counter to make more coffee and Ira appeared beside her, as if by magic.

“I’m ready to pay my bill now.” He smiled and handed it over. The brush of his fingers sent her mind skittering to erotic thoughts. His touch was electrically distracting.

It took only a moment to run him through the register. He slid his wallet in his back pocket and stood there, his gaze flicking between her and the door. “I should go, I guess.”

“Nothing says you have to,” she teased. “You can stay all day if you like.”

“I’m sure that would break a rule or two. I’ve noticed you don’t let the teens hang out during rush hour.”

“You tend to spend more than four teens sharing two drinks and an order of fries, and don’t overstay your welcome.”

“Am I welcome?” he asked, the light in his eyes indicating the question might be more than it appeared.

She thought about his words for half a second. Was he flirting with her? “Yes, you are welcome anytime.” There, a nice neutral response, great if he was only asking if he was welcome in Tammy’s. Even better if he was hinting he might like to spend time with her. She gave him a welcoming smile.

“Honey, would you like to have dinner with me?”

“Yes, Ira, I would.” She thought about declining, really, she did. Lacy was interested in Ira, even if she was too scared to act on it. Honey should turn him down, but after the jolt she felt when their hands connected, there was no way on earth she’d pass up dinner with him. She gave a mental fist pump, suddenly eager to go on a date with this newcomer. “When would you like to go?”

He floundered for a moment, his gaze darting around the room. “Tonight?” He quirked one eyebrow in question. “Six?”

“Make it seven, and you have a deal. I have some work I have to do first.”

“Anything I can help with?”

“Nope. I do a bit of work on the side. Nothing important, but I need to get it done.” She appreciated his offer. “Where shall I meet you?”

“I thought I’d pick you up. You live in one of the brownstones, right? Do you eat Italian? I thought we’d go to Tuscan Gardens, if you don’t mind.”

His nervousness was endearing. “That’s only a short walk from my place and it’s a lovely day. How about I meet you there instead?” She tended to avoid having guys pick her up, a holdover from her college days when she found herself dating guys she barely knew. Life was different in Coyote Creek, but old habits die hard and Ira hadn’t been around long. She almost relented at his deep frown.

“Okay. I’ll meet you there.” It was clear that letting her find her own way wasn’t his first choice, but he agreed anyway and she appreciated it. “See you soon.”

She smiled her warmest smile. “Thanks for agreeing. I’m looking forward to dinner and getting to know you better.”

The grimace fled and his face blossomed into a smile lighting his eyes, turning them from stormy to bright green with darker flecks. So sexy. So handsome. Coyote Creek’s newest bachelor was adorable.

Wait! He was a bachelor, wasn’t he? She better ask tonight, just to be sure.