“I have to be around, but officially they haven’t mentioned me.”
Lucas ordered water when the waitress came to the table, then asked Hunter, “What did you order?”
“A salad.”
“That’s all?”
“Maybe with a side of green enchiladas.” She grinned, embarrassed.
He told the waitress, “I’ll have the same.”
When they were alone, Lucas said, “The Ojinaga police had a report two days ago that Holland is still in town.”
“And you just heard about it?”
“The source was a store owner, one of the little neighborhood ones, and she told it to a policeman in passing. She didn’t say Holland, but she described him.”
“Are they going after him?”
“They’re scouring that entire part of town starting today. Even going house to house.”
“They know how dangerous he is, right?”
“I told them again. They’re ready, if it comes down to it.”
“Will you be assisting them?”
“Not as far as the public knows, but I’ll be around if they find him.”
“Good.” She touched his hand, “You be careful.”
Lucas said, “Me? You’re the daredevil around here.” Hunter kept her gaze on him until he put up his hands in surrender, “Okay, I promise to be careful.”
“Good.” The food arrived and they were silent as they ate. Afterward, Lucas said, “I’ll be around tomorrow, so I may come over and watch the show at noon.”
“You’ll be watching the Sheriff then, not me.”
“You hope.”
“Yeah.”
Lucas rose from the table and said, “It won’t be painful, Hunter, and besides, you deserve recognition for it.” He paused, “If they call you up, that is.”
“One can only hope,” she said. She stood up, too. On an impulse, Lucas hugged her. She hugged back, and they held it longer than they initially intended.
When they broke apart, Hunter’s cheeks showed a slight pink.
Lucas said, “We might want to try meeting in unofficial capacities sometime. What do you think?”
Hunter said, “That would be nice. We could leave our pistols on the table so yours doesn’t poke me.”
Lucas said, “What makes you think it was my pistol?” Then he shook his head back and forth and laughed, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”
She grinned, “Guys with derringers, I swear.”
His eyes widened with his smile, “Uuu, I deserved that.” They looked at each other, reluctant to end it, until Lucas said, “See you tomorrow,” and walked out the door.
The waitress stopped at Hunter’s shoulder and both women watched Patino leave. The waitress said, “That is one by-god gorgeous man.” She looked at Hunter and grinned while she fanned her face with a hand, “Hoo-wee.”