As in a threesome? She nodded, fresh pain washing over her, then startled as Rick opened his door and slid out. Gunner did the same, but offered his hand to help her out.
“Come on. Earline’s got the best breakfast around these parts. We think it’s even better than Milly’s Coffee Spot over in Forever.”
“I wouldn’t know. I haven’t been to Forever.” She followed Gunner as he led the way into the restaurant.
The restaurant was filled with wonderful aromas. Scuffed tiled floors weren’t pretty by any means, but they were clean enough to eat off them. A yellow counter stretched along the wall with napkin holders and wire stands filled with laminated menus. A jukebox rested against the wall leading to a hallway and the restrooms. The place reminded Mallory of a diner straight out of the fifties.
Rick groused, his tone low and grumpy. “Don’t bother going to Milly’s. The people there don’t like us much.”
“Why?” She didn’t really care. She just wanted to keep him talking to her.
“Because they can’t stand that we’re all so damn happy, that’s why.”
“Hey, guys.” A pretty young woman swayed over to them.
“Hey, it’s good to see you. Are your men here?”
Mallory scanned the room, following Gunner’s gaze.
“Two of them. Josh had other business to attend to. See? Right over there in the corner.” She reached out her hand in welcome. “Hi. I’m Mayla Weaton. You’re new in town, aren’t you?” The girl’s big brown eyes were the perfect shade for her long, auburn hair.
“Sort of. I’m Mallory Quinn.”
“So, Mallory, how do you like the Triple X Ranch? That’s some name, isn’t it?”
She wasn’t sure how to answer. If she went into too much detail, Mayla might ask her how she’d come to stay there. “I like it. And yeah, the name kind of threw me at first.”
“Then you’re staying for a while?” Her gaze jumped from Rick to Gunner. “Maybe for a long while?”
She’d never believed that a heart could actually hurt. Now she knew the real meaning of the word heartache. “No. I’m leaving today. On the bus, that is.”
“Really?” Mayla frowned at first Rick then Gunner. “I thought I heard from Dr. Haskell…” She trailed off, then fortified her smile. “Never mind. You know small towns. If they didn’t have gossip, they’d dry up from boredom.”
She hooked her arm in Mallory’s and tugged her along with her. “Come with me. I’m dying for some girl talk. I’ve been cooped up on the ranch far too long and Earline’s too busy to talk. Guys, go keep my men company.”
She waved at the older woman who was slipping from one table filled with customers to the next. “That’s Earline.”
Earline appeared as though she was old enough to have opened the restaurant years earlier. And yet, the woman had a spry step and a sweet smile that made Mallory feel more welcomed.
“Are you sure you don’t want to get back to your table?”
“It’s okay. You two go on.”
Rick and Gunner ambled over to two men, large men like themselves, who were busy scarfing down a plate piled high with food. Were they Mayla’s partners? Or husbands? Or just friends like Kid was to her?
“My guys, Jadon and Curt, would rather me leave them alone so they can get caught up on all that ranch stuff. And then there’s the problem with the were—” She froze, then slipped into a chair at one of the few open tables. Two empty mugs waited for coffee. “Uh, with the wolf that’s killing cattle.”
Mallory took the chair across from her. “We, I mean, Rick and Gunner found a calf the other day that had gotten bitten. So they’re sure it’s a wolf that’s killing livestock?”
“We think so. Don’t worry. The men are on it.”
“Have you lived in Shatland all your life?” Somehow Mayla didn’t look like the rest of them. It wasn’t the way she dressed or looked, but something else she couldn’t define. She studied her harder, but couldn’t put her finger on it.
Mayla flicked her auburn hair back over her shoulder. “No. In fact, I only got here a month ago, but I love it here.”
Mallory could sense the stares still settled on her. “I don’t mean to be rude, but do they always stare at newcomers?”
“Yeah, they kind of do. But don’t let it bug you. It’s just their way. Folks around here are really nice. Okay, maybe not the vam—” She darted her gaze away, then back. “A few tend to keep to themselves, but they don’t bother anyone. Not much anyway.”