It Had to Be Him(50)

Fine by her.

Thankfully Gloria strolled over and sent her a warm smile. “How are you today, sweetheart?” She slid a cold Dr Pepper in front of Meg.

“Starving! Can I get two meatball subs with fries, a turkey-and-avocado sandwich with mustard, no mayo, and a fruit cup all to go?” She took a long drink of her soda and sighed. “Thanks. That hit the spot.”

“You’re welcome.” Gloria tucked a pencil into her beehive. “Funny. A turkey sandwich with a fruit cup on the side is just what Zeke’s new employee ordered for lunch yesterday.” She winked and walked away to place the order.

Her dad grunted and took another bite of his pot roast sandwich.

When she reached out to take another drink, her father snatched her arm to stop her. “Where did you get that ring?”

She’d forgotten she still had it on. “I found it in the attic. It was Mom’s.”

“I’m aware of that.” He swung around to face her. “I thought all of that had been destroyed. What else did you find?”

His anger made no sense. But then, the man never made any sense to her. “Just stuff. Like her diploma, report cards, things like that. Why?”

His jaw clenched. “Nothing else?”

There were those files at the bottom. Maybe she’d just keep that little fact to herself. “Just the usual. Why would you want to destroy all of Mom’s things?”

He shook his head and then turned back to his sandwich. “Heard you signed on a loan yesterday.”

Dead end, as always, when it came to discussing her mother. “Yeah. I can get started on the big stuff now.”

Dad just nodded as he chewed.

Luckily, Gloria reappeared with three white bags. “Here you go. On the house until you get your lodge done. In return, you and I are going to work out an arrangement for feeding your new guests here sometimes.” Gloria sent Dad a smug, in-your-face grin.

Meg snatched up the bags before her dad could protest and leaned over the counter to give her aunt a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks. You’re awesome!” Meg dashed for the door, and then hopped into her nice new car.

God, she loved Aunt Gloria.

Next, she pulled up in front of Zeke’s shop. What was Amber’s Mercedes doing parked out front? Maybe visiting her uncle. But Josh mentioned Zeke was going to be gone most of the day getting parts.

With a sick, familiar feeling from their high school days brewing, Meg hopped out of her car, forgetting all about Josh’s lunch.

As she passed through the doors, she pulled up short. Amber had her hand on Josh’s chest, smiling up at him.

Haley wasn’t with her this time and she’d had about all she was going to take from that man-stealer. Just as she was about to go all crazy woman on Amber, Josh took a step back and raised his palms. “Nothing is going to happen between you and me, Amber. Ever.”

Amber smiled slyly. “You’re a man. You’ll give in eventually. See you around.” Then she turned and spotted Meg.

Plastering on a smug grin, she said, “Whoops.”

Josh turned and cringed. “This isn’t what you’re thinking, Meg.”

“I was just thinking I kinda liked the way you shut Amber down.” With adrenaline still pumping hot through her veins, she closed the distance between her and Josh. She grabbed his face and kissed him. Hard. Amber could just eat her heart out.

When Josh wound his big arms around her and kissed her back with equal intensity, Meg got pulled so deeply under his spell, she almost forgot Amber was there. God, she really missed kissing Josh.

After they finally came up for air, she turned to Amber. “Run along and maybe I won’t tell Randy about this.”

“Nothing to tell. Besides, it’d be my word against yours. And we all know what your word is worth in this town, Meg. Have a nice day, Josh.” She added a little extra hip action as she strolled out the door.

After she was gone, Meg said, “Hi. I brought you some lunch.”

“Really?” He beamed a big smile that made her knees go a little weak. Well, okay. A lot weak. That he had on a tight T-shirt that highlighted his big muscles, worn but nicely fitting jeans, and work boots didn’t help.

Yum.

She took his hand, tugged him to her car, and grabbed a to-go bag.

“Thank you.” He frowned as he read the writing on the outside. “Meatball sub and fries? I guess you’re still mad at me, then?”

She snatched the bag back and swapped it out for the other. “Those are for me and Ryan. We’re doing hard labor today, so we earned them. This boring one is for you and your healthy arteries.”

Josh peered into the sack and then slapped a hand over his heart. “You got me a fruit cup on the side? Does this mean you love me again?”