Realization struck her like a bowling ball mowing down pins. “Oh my God! I completely forgot to call my insurance company.”
“For what? They won’t cover your battery.” Charlie leaned down to pet Lex Luthor, but the dog shrank from his touch and began shivering. Not a beat passed, and Noah crouched beside the dog, stroking his head and soothing him with quiet words Hailey couldn’t hear. The dog stopped shivering and seemed to stand a little taller.
“For Noah’s truck! I’m the reason—”
“My insurance is covering it,” Noah said evenly. He swiveled his head and looked up at her. “I told them it was a combination of the crappy conditions and some semi that barreled past me so close I couldn’t get his license plate.”
“But … but … that’s not what happened,” she protested. No, this wasn’t right. “I have to at least pay for your new tires … and a new bumper … and ...”
“And nothing.” Noah stood. “You saved my dog during that storm, so we’re calling it even.”
My dog.Hailey’s heartstrings stretched a little farther.
Noah tilted his head and peered at her. A corner of his mouth twitched inside his neatly trimmed beard. Huh. He’d cleaned up since yesterday, and damn, it was a good look on him. But so was the deliciously rumpled look. “Relax, Hailey Bailey. It’s all taken care of.”
Relax.That one little word transported her back to him spooning her in the cold truck. He’d told her to relax then, and she’d clung to his steadying presence. She’d also been so focused on the feel of his body snuggled against hers she had completely forgotten about Lex Luthor until the man had made sure the dog was all right. Did that make her a bad person? Probably. But would anyone blame her? She’d been cuddled up with a hunk who’d caused heat to flood her body … like he was doing right now.
She excused herself. “I’m, um, just gonna text my sister back.”If I can string a coherent message together.
Noah borrowed Charlie’s truckand drove off with Lex Luthor, so Charlie walked Hailey to the back entrance of the Miners Tavern. They stepped inside a compact hallway with a half-dozen doorways. Past a closed door to her left, Hailey caught a glimpse of a sparkling stainless-steel kitchen where several people bustled around. One of those people stopped and headed toward them with a broad grin.
“Well, hi, hon. Didn’t think I’d see you again so soon, but I’m glad I am.” Today Dixie wore an apron over too-tight blue jeans and a silk top in a kelly green so violent it assaulted the senses.
Klieg lights fired up at once in Hailey’s brain. Noah Hunnicutt,the owner, was also Dixie’s boss. Therefore, he was also the man who’d sent over dinner last night.
Charlie snorted. “I guess you two have met.”
“Mm-hmm. I delivered one of your mama’s chicken pot pies to this little china doll last night. How was it?”
“Fantastic.”China doll?
Charlie’s eyebrow dipped. “She’s not Chinese.” He looked at Hailey, and that same eyebrow flew to his messy blond hair. “Are you?”
“I never said she was,” Dixie retorted. “But she reminds me of one of them porcelain dolls I had as a little girl. It wore these black silk pajamas and—”
Charlie spun her in place. “Noah needs you to get this place ready for the lunch crowd. Get a move on, now.”
Hailey shook her whirling head. These people were nuts … but in a fun way. Possibly.
“No one bosses me around.” Dixie glanced over her shoulder at Hailey and winked conspiratorially. “Unless we’re in the bedroom and he’s handsome.”
A stooped, scrawny man with more creases on his face than gray hair on his chin stepped from the shadows. Dixie let out a squeal. “Like this one right here!” She pulled him against her pillowy torso and kissed his temple, leaving a smudge of neon pink. “This here’s my man, Dewey. Ain’t he the cutest thing?”
Dewey wore metal-framed glasses and either a grimace or a smile, Hailey couldn’t tell. He extended a bony hand and, in a voice as scratchy as tumbleweeds, rasped, “Nice to meetcha, girlie.”
Hailey glanced at Charlie. He jerked his head toward the couple while obviously fighting a smirk. “This here’s Dixie and Dewey,” he repeated in an unidentifiable twang. “They run the place, and they do an awesome job making Noah think he does.”
“And just whereisthe boss?” Dixie demanded. “We’re shorthanded, and I know we’re gonna get a crowd ready to tie one on, seeing’s how it’s Saint Patty’s and there’s nothing much else to do in town right now. And I amnottending to those idiots by myself.” She released Dewey, and he faded into the background like a highway’s white lines in a blizzard.
Charlie chuckled. “Noah went to the feed store. He has a newdog.”
“Hewhat? Don’t tell me he took on that mutt at Doc Embry’s. I thought it was hers.” She pointed a fire-red fingernail at Hailey.
Hello, right here.
Charlie nodded. “Noah got himself a dog. Thanks togirliehere.”
Dixie clapped her hands. “Oh, my lord! It’s about time he got himself something to love that won’t give him grief like … Well, never you mind.” She threw an arm around Hailey’s shoulders. “Are you hungry, child?” She flapped her hand at Charlie. “I won’t even ask this one. He’salwayshungry.”
