* * * *
“Forty-four dollars, give or take a few cents,” Melody said, straightening the ones and fives she pulled out of her apron. “That ain’t half bad on Thanksgiving.”
“Ain’t half bad at all,” Judy agreed, sitting across from her counting her change. When she finished sliding the small pile of nickels into her hand, she looked up at Melody. “I round up to forty-two. Dang, you beat me.”
Melody grinned. This was the first time she’d managed to beat Judy, who was a very popular waitress. Everyone in Garnet knew her, and countless regulars requested her. To beat her a week into her new job felt like a good sign when the competition was nothing but friendly.
“I forgot I gotta pay for the pie I bought Sheriff Conner’s big buddy,” Melody said, her shoulders slumping at the realization. “I guess you win after all.”
“Nah,” Judy said with a laugh. “You won fair and square. Looks like I’m mopping tonight. Silverware’s all yours.”
Melody wasn’t going to argue. She’d worked the past five nights and lost the tip competition every single time. Her arms were aching from all the mopping because Hal’s Diner was a big place—especially when you were mopping it at eleven at night after working a double shift. With a bounce in her step, she happily walked into the back, where Hal stood hunched over the sink.
Big and broad, with back muscles that clenched from his work, Hal was one of the few men who could look scary washing the dishes. He was the strong-and-silent type. No charming smile, no easy banter. He was gruff and all business.
Melody had liked him instantly.
Men like Hal, who only said their peace and nothing else, were easy for Melody to be around. They didn’t put on airs trying to be something they weren’t. That meant she could feel human around them instead of on edge and jumpy. She didn’t trust smooth talkers like Sheriff Conner. Those snake charmers who seemed nice as could be until the doors closed and they started using their wives for punching bags.
When the sheriff had opened his mouth at the police station, Melody recoiled. He was too handsome, too cocky, too certain of his own charm and winning personality. Justin, her ex-husband, was slick as a slippery eel, but everyone thought him handsome and charming like the sheriff. Her mother used to say Justin could sell ice to Eskimos, and it was pretty darn close to the truth. If Melody never met another charming man, it wouldn’t be too soon.
“I won,” she announced as she stepped up next to Hal by the sink. “Silverware’s mine tonight.”
Hal snorted, shaking his head as a reluctant grin tugged at his lips. “I don’t believe it. Judy never loses.”
“No, it’s true,” Melody assured him as she started gathering up the silverware he’d already washed, searching for it in the hot water dyed blue with disinfectant tablets. She tossed a handful of forks into a well-worn white strainer. “By two whole dollars. Course, I still gotta pay you for those pieces of pie, but Judy didn’t think they counted. That’s mighty sporting of her.”
“I dunno why you’re buying Powerhouse dessert.” Hal grunted as he went back to work on the dishes. “Boy could buy all of Garnet, pave it over, and make it his own personal parking lot. He’s got more money than God, and you were living out of your truck a week ago. Where’s the sense in that?”
“He seemed lonely.” Melody frowned at that information, thinking there was nothing about the tall, muscular, dark-haired man that put on airs of being more than just ordinary like the rest of them. “He doesn’t look rich.”
Hal lifted his head, frowning at Melody, who was elbow-deep in steaming water. “Dontcha know who he is?”
Melody shook her head as she dropped a handful of forks and spoons into the white strainer and went back to fishing for silverware. “I know everyone calls him Powerhouse.”
“He’s a famous UFC fighter,” Hal said as if it was obvious and everyone should know him. “Probably the most famous. He’s got six heavyweight titles, and he’s set to add another one to the list.”
Melody turned and pulled a face at Hal. “Are ya gonna have a moment if I admit to having no idea what the UFC is? I’ve heard it mentioned ’bout a hundred times this past week.”
Hal let out a low whistle. “Wow, I thought everyone knew, but I guess the rest of the world’s not as invested as we are. UFC is the Ultimate Fighting Championship. It’s a big deal. We have an MMA training center here in town that’s always hopping. It’s ’bout all we got to do in this town.”