“I’m sorry. Did anyone else have to double up?”
“Mr. Underwood and Mr. Blanton agreed to share, also. Jeff got his own room, and he hasn’t left, as far as I know.” Jeff drove Angelica’s van. “I think he’s hiding from the Laughtons. The woman who owns the motel is delighted at the sudden influx of business. I only hope the van gets repaired quickly.”
“That all depends on if they have the part on hand.”
Espy doubted it, because the way Tommy described his operation made it sound like he was the only mechanic working. She couldn’t imagine it would be any bigger in a town this size.
Angelica huffed, then turned toward the diner. “Let’s go get something to eat.”
Espy dragged her feet, her hands linked behind her back. “I’m actually meeting with Javi at six thirty at another place to go over the maps of the area.”
Angelica narrowed her eyes. “Who’s Javi?”
Espy snapped her head up. “The, ah, the sergeant? The DPS officer that showed up at the scene?”
Her sister’s already arched eyebrows lifted higher. “Javi? And you’re meeting for…dinner?”
“Ah, yes.” Espy felt her face heat. “Just a way for me to get to know the area. Since we haven’t been around here before.”
Angelica pressed her full lips together. “Uh-huh, sure. Did he ask you, or did you ask him?”
Espy looked down at her feet. “I, ah, I asked him. But he seemed very agreeable.”
“He was also very cute. I am sure that had no part in you asking him for this favor?”
Espy lifted her chin, though she knew her cheeks were red. “None at all.”
Angelica snorted her opinion of that. “Bull. So where is this other place where you’re meeting?”
“I’m not sure.” Espy scanned the square again, and didn’t see the place he’d mentioned. “It’s called The Wheel House and it’s apparently an open-air bar and grill.”
“Let’s go ask, then.” Angelica pulled open the door to the diner.
Espy hesitated. “We can’t ask one restaurant where another restaurant is.”
“Sure we can. We’re spreading our business out.” Angelica motioned to the tourists taking up space in the diner. “Excuse me? Where can we find The Wheel House?” she asked the woman running a tray of drinks to the tables.
Espy had the sinking feeling her sister was going to join her and Javi at The Wheel House. And Javi would have one look at Angelica, and Espy would be forgotten.
Okay, it wasn’t that bad. Her sister was beautiful, sure, but she took the time to put on make-up and blow dry her hair every morning, no matter where they were, no matter what their plan for the day was. They could be planning to drive into the worst storms, but Angelica would still take fifteen minutes to put on her makeup. And she always dressed nicer than Espy, but she could find clothes that fit better, too, since she was taller and more slender.
Espy had long ago realized that it didn’t much matter if she put on tons of makeup and found the cutest clothes. She was never going to equal her sister in looks. So she slapped on some eyeliner and mascara in the mornings, and wore mostly t-shirts and shorts. She had nice legs, at least, even if the rest of her was shaped like an apple.
“What?” Angelica asked, once they had directions to the other restaurant, Espy had gathered the book of maps from the van, and they started walking down the sidewalk to the edge of town.
“What do you mean, what?” Espy countered.
“I’m not used to you being silent, I guess.”
“I’m not silent,” Espy said.
“You don’t want me to go.”
“I’m just wondering why you are. You’re not interested in maps.”
“I don’t think you are, either.”
Espy tried not to let her frustration get the better of her. “I think it’s a sign that we met a trooper who knows the roads around here so well.”
