“Damn.” Cooper dropped into the seat next to Bennett. “I should’ve brought balloons.”
Matthew chuckled as he sat across from them. “Yeah, but you’d probably only take them home for your daughter.”
He was still trying to wrap his mind around the fact that most of his lethal, hardcorebrotherswere now married with children.
“True.” Cooper nodded with a smile. “Mindy loves them.” He lifted his chin. “But I still think Bennett deserves somepomp and circumstance. Maybe a ‘Welcome back to teamwork’ banner.”
Mac smirked, reaching for a carafe. “Give it time. He’s still in the denial phase.”
Gabe snorted, sipping his coffee. “Bet you five bucks he warms up to Harland faster than he thinks.”
Bennett arched a brow, flipping through his menu. “Not a chance.”
“We’ll see, Vaughn.” Cooper leaned back with a smug grin. “We’ll see.”
He ignored them, too busy scanning the menu, trying to figure out what made the food so legendary.
The creaking of the nearby kitchen door swinging open brought his gaze to a woman walking out balancing a tray in one hand.
She was of average height, around five-feet-seven, all confident strides and smooth efficiency, blonde hair pulled into a messy ponytail. There was a notepad and pencil in one pocket of her apron, and the top of a paperback sticking out of the other.
“Miss us already, Laurel?” Cooper asked.
Bennett glanced at the guy as he processed the connection.
This was Laurel?
Annie’s niece.
The one she’d mentioned so casually, like she wasn’t about to walk out here looking like trouble wrapped in sunshine.
His gaze flicked to the other server then back to Laurel, taking in the easy confidence in the way she moved, the shrewd way her amber eyes scanned the room, as if she already had every one of them pegged.
Yeah. He knew her type. Smart-mouthed, independent, wouldn’t be easily impressed or intimidated.
And just like that, his morning got a whole lot more complicated.
Chapter Two
Laurel Sinclair glanced at the sheriff’s table where the newcomers her aunt had requested her to wait on now sat. They were in her section. Belinda, the other server, handled the booths and one half of the counter, while Laurel took care of the tables and the remainder of the counter.
This was day five for her in Harland County, and she’d already memorized the menu, the cook’s quirks, and most of the names of the regulars. She’d also worked with two other servers and found them to be easy-going and efficient, perfect qualities for this job.
Her first day in Harland had been a whirlwind of unpacking, adjusting, and remembering just how different small-town life was from the hustle of Austin. She also remembered how much she preferred it.
That morning had been spent settling into the cozy spare room at her aunt’s place, a quaint, lived-in space filled with mismatched furniture, floral quilts, and the comforting scent of fresh-baked bread that seemed permanently ingrained in the walls.
By mid-afternoon, she had driven Aunt Annie to her pre-op surgical consultation, where the doctor had gone over the procedure in detail, which Annie had promptly brushed off like it was nothing more than a routine check-up. Laurel had asked a dozen questions, making sure she understood exactly how long her aunt needed to rest, what she could and couldn’t do, and how long before she’d be back to full function.
Aunt Annie had just patted her knee with her good hand and smiled. “You worry too much, sweetheart. It’s just a little carpal tunnel surgery, not a kidney transplant.”
Laurel, not convinced, had still insisted on getting a printed copy of all the post-op care instructions. By the time they’d left the doctor’s office, Annie was already talking about what needed to be done at the diner before she took time off and had insisted that they swing by so she could show her the ropes.
That night after dinner, Laurel had flipped through the medical paperwork again, then stared at the ceiling, mentally preparing for the early mornings, the dinner rush, and the feeling of being in a town where she was the newcomer.
She told herself it was just for a little while.
She just hadn’t expected Harland to feel this easy to settle into, although she’d guessed that from her childhood visits. Never once had she ever felt unwelcome here.
