As the woman wandered off to serve another customer, Mel sipped her coffee thoughtfully. So, Ryne worked on cars and was some sort of ‘dog whisperer’ as well as being a reclusive photographer. It was a rather eclectic collection of skills and she wondered what else he had hidden up his sleeve. She couldn’t wait to talk to him and find out. Hmm... Did he only work on Mondays? It would be helpful to know, in case she needed to track him down, especially since she couldn’t call or visit his house. Deciding that the waitress seemed to be a likely source of information, she plotted how to find out more about the man.
Next time the server made her rounds, Mel was ready. “I was wondering if you could recommend someone who could look at my car tomorrow. It was making this funny noise when I started it up this morning.”
The woman smiled at her and nodded her head towards the window. “Right across the road where you’ve been staring is where you want to go—Miller’s Service Station, though we just call it Ben’s. He does good work and his prices are fair.”
“Great. It must keep him busy though, running the whole thing himself.”
“Well, his son, Greg, helped him out for quite a few years, until he headed off to college, but Ben was real lucky ’cause soon after the boy left, Ryne moved to town.”
“Ryne?”
“Uh-huh. Ryne Taylor—the guy I was telling you about who trained Harley. Ben hired him to work part time. He moved here back in November and knows his way around an engine—and around a woman too, if you know what I mean.” The woman winked and sighed dramatically. “The man is the stuff dreams are made of.”
Mel grinned as her mind flitted back to her own dream last night. Was Taylor as talented as her dream lover? This woman seemed to think so... Frowning, Mel wondered if she had personal experience with Taylor’s sexual prowess and wondered why the idea miffed her. Taylor was a job, that’s all. What he did, and with whom, was no concern of hers. Getting a firm grip on her wandering mind, she focused on the waitress. “Thanks for the information.”
“You’re welcome. Oh, and you’ll see the oh-so-sexy Ryne tomorrow if you take your car in. He works Mondays, Wednesdays, and sometimes on Fridays if Ben’s real busy.”
“You seem to know his schedule quite well.” Mel sipped her coffee and eyed the woman speculatively.
“Yeah. Ryne and I are good friends. He comes in here a lot and to the bar too. That’s my second job, working atThe Broken Antler.”
“So he’s your boyfriend?” A pang of jealousy shot through her and she frowned.
“Sort of.... I mean, we see each other, but Ryne’s not the type to be tied down, you know?” The woman shrugged, tucking a stray lock of bleached blonde hair behind her ear.
Mel made no comment, merely nodding.
Leaning her hip against the counter, the waitress appeared to be settling in for a long conversation. “You just came to town yesterday, right? Melody’s your name?”
“Melody Greene. But you can call me Mel.”
“Mel it is, then. Beth Kennedy was in earlier today and told me how she’d rented a cabin to you. She was all excited because now she can order a new dishwasher and Josh can’t—” Her train of thought was interrupted by a bell ringing, signalling that someone wanted service at the cash register. The woman sighed. “Damn, that’s for me. Well, I hope you enjoy your stay.”
Mel nodded. “I’m sure I will. Thanks for your help...er...” She checked the woman’s name tag, before continuing. “Lucy.”
Chapter 9
Mel headed back to the cabin, making a brief stop at the Kennedys’ first. It was a modest brick rancher with a few shrubs in the yard and some spring bulbs beginning to poke their way up through the ground. She rounded to the back door and hoped the husband and wife team didn’t think she was too presumptuous, just assuming they’d take messages for her.
As it turned out, they didn’t mind and in fact, Bryan had already called with a response for her. Taylor was considering her request and would let her know in a few days. Thanking her temporary landlords, Mel hid her disappointment at the vague response. She climbed back in her car and drove around the woodlot that separated the Kennedys’ house from the rental units.
Parking her car, she sat inside the vehicle, a cloud hanging over her head as she mulled over Taylor’s response. He would ‘consider’ it! Let her know in a ‘few days!’ Who did the man think he was? Rembrandt or something? This was a big break for him! If Greyson liked the article, Taylor could be famous. His face and his work might become recognized throughout the art world. There could be gallery displays and talk-show interviews. He could charge exorbitant prices for his photos. People might even commission him to take pictures. This interview could lead to great things. Why was he balking? Most people would jump at the chance for free publicity!