Handing him his receipt, she smiled. “I’m glad you had fun. We hope you’ll come back and visit us again in the future.”
“I’m sure we will.” Touching the brim of his ball cap in an old-fashioned gesture, he turned to join his friends, who waited for him at the big glass exit doors. Hannah hid a smile when the one she’d dubbed “Skinny Romeo” glanced her way, flushed, then turned to leave, obviously still embarrassed that he’d hit on her so clumsily upon arrival and had been so firmly shot down. She’d seen him once or twice since, and wasn’t sure he’d been sober the whole time. Although he hadn’t actually caused any trouble, that was one guest she’d just as soon not see again anytime soon.
She glanced toward the grill, noting that business was still heavy with late lunchers, even though it was almost 2:00 p.m. She’d bet her aunt Sarah would appreciate the brief slowdown they’d probably see after the weekend, though business would get crazy again as the Independence Day weekend approached. From her desk, she could see one corner of the inside of the diner. Customers mingled, chatted, ate, laughed. At a far table, Patricia Gibson ate alone as always, her attention focused on her food, her hunched posture discouraging any friendly overtures. Perhaps she’d thought she’d avoid a crowd by dining later, but Hannah could have told her that on a summer Saturday, the place was always hopping.
Maybe the stooges had enjoyed their stay, but she saw no evidence that Patricia was having a good time. She wondered why the woman even stayed when her entire schedule seemed to be split between staying in her room and occasionally eating a meal here. How much longer would she stay? Hannah felt as though she should offer to do something to make the visit more pleasant, but she couldn’t think of anything else to say or do. Patricia had been fairly clear that she wanted to be left alone.
A shadow fell over her desk and she looked around with a professional smile that quavered just a bit when she saw Andrew standing there, looking delectable as always despite his bandage and bruises. Memories of the night before slammed through her, making her have to swallow before attempting to greet him breezily. “Hi.”
He leaned comfortably against the end of the reception desk. “Hi, how’s it going?”
“It’s been busy. Between the phone and guests, I haven’t been able to get to the marketing work I wanted to do today.”
Andrew shook his head. “You’re trying to do too much.”
“I agree,” she said wryly. “I think it’s time we hire a couple more people for office work. We thought we’d hold off a couple months until Lori goes back to school, but that’s not working out. I’m going to run a help wanted ad next week.”
“But you could take off next week if you decide to accompany me to Dallas?”
“I suppose I could,” she reluctantly conceded. “But I—”
“Don’t decide just yet,” he cut in. “Think about it some more, okay?”
She nodded, relieved to have a respite. “Did you talk to Chuck?”
“He’s out of town. Left last night, won’t be back for a week. Visiting his mother, reportedly.”
“In Beaumont?”
He nodded. “That’s what I was told. Do you know her name and address so I can check that?”
“I have it in my files. She lives in an assisted living facility. Wade was never particularly interested in visiting his grandmother, but I met her a couple of times. She’s a little vague.”
He nodded. “I’ll look into it.”
“Do you think leaving town rules Chuck out or makes it even more likely that he broke my porch, then ran?”
“Could be either. But at least he’s not around to bother you for a few days, assuming he really is in Beaumont.”
“Then there’s no need for me to leave. I’d be fine staying here,” she pointed out.
Andrew frowned. “You’re still assuming Chuck was behind the incidents. I haven’t proven that. I’m not going to be completely comfortable leaving you unprotected until I know for certain.”
She resisted an impulse to roll her eyes. “I’m hardly unprotected. My sister and cousins have stopped
by every ten minutes or so today to check on me.”
“I’d still rather have you with me,” he said, his voice dropping to an intimate level that made a little shiver course down her spine.
“I’ll, um, I’ll think about it,” she told him again.
He nodded and straightened from the desk. “I assume you’ve already eaten lunch?”
“Yes, I had a sandwich earlier.”
“Maybe I’ll just get a cup of soup to hold me until dinner.” He glanced toward the diner. “Your aunt makes good soup.”
Following his glance, she saw Patricia leaving the diner, directing a hooded glance toward Hannah and Andrew on her way out. Hannah offered a little wave, which Patricia returned with a glum nod.