“We’re doing well, how about you? You look fantastic as always,” Jacob said to her.
“Thank you. What’s going on? How is the job hunting going?” she asked, knowing Jacob was in between jobs. Jacob moved back here to Chance a few months ago to help their dad with his construction business and his brothers were each involved in the military or law enforcement. Ryan was a state trooper with York, one of Caroline’s boyfriends.
“It’s going,” Jacob said and Ryan chuckled as he leaned against Eliza’s car.
“He hasn’t been looking hard. I think he likes the construction business. Wearing no shirt, working on his tan. He’s got a date every night of the week,” he said and Jacob hit his brother’s arm.
“I do not.”
Eliza Grace chuckled and then looked at Jacob. He and his brothers were very nice guys and all blond, all good looking and single. But none of them seemed to be ready to settle down.
“Well, good for you, Jacob. Maybe you’ll find that special someone,” she said to him.
Ryan cleared his throat.
“What are you up to? Still working at the boutique in Charlesburgh and Cambridge?” Ryan asked.
“Yes, and keeping really busy. I was just going in to pick up some dry cleaning.”
Ryan looked at her and smiled. “You planning on hanging out at Spencer’s any time soon? We haven’t seen ya.”
She felt her belly tighten. Was he flirting with her? Oh God.
“Actually, work has been crazy, but I think Missy Ann and I will be going there later in the week,” she said to him and then looked past him to see Tazer standing there by the sheriff, watching her. He looked so angry it made her lower her eyes and then press her hair behind her ear.
“I have to work this weekend. Maybe we’ll meet up there another time?” Ryan asked and she knew he was probably going to ask for her number. That sick, nervous feeling hit her gut.
“Well, who knows, maybe it will work out. I need to get going. I have an appointment in a little bit and still have errands to run.”
She said goodbye to them and both men smiled and said goodbye. As they headed toward the sidewalk she saw them talking and glanced at Tazer. He said something to Max but didn’t even turn to look.
She quickly crossed the street and went into the dry cleaner.
She got her stuff, paid and then left to put it into the car. She looked toward the sheriff department before she locked up her car to make sure Tazer wasn’t around. Then she felt that disappointed feeling. She was a moron. What was she thinking? The man was terrifying.
As she headed toward Rita’s and walked inside she was greeted by a few people and then ordered her salad and an iced tea.
“Is that to stay or to go, Eliza Grace?” Rita asked her.
She opened her mouth and then stopped as someone spoke from behind her.
“To stay. I’ll take the usual.”
She turned around
and looked way up into Tazer’s dark eyes.
“Eliza Grace.” He said her name and looked at her lips.
She wondered if he were going to reprimand her for talking to Jacob and Ryan, or maybe ask what they wanted. Would he act like a bodyguard?
“Hi, Tazer. I was actually going to get the salad to go.”
“Well, now it’s to stay. Join me for lunch.” He didn’t give her a chance to say no. Not that she would. He looked kind of upset, but maybe that was just Tazer’s normal expression. He was hard, serious all the time.
As he took her hand, she froze but somehow got her feet to work as he led her to a table in the back. They passed several empty tables now that it was way past lunch, but apparently none of them were what he wanted.
She went to take a seat but he guided her to the one right across from him. The one he could watch the door from and see behind her.