Reservations for Murder - Tim Myers [46]
Alex said, “I almost gave up on you.”
“This isn’t a great time, Alex. Emma and I are in the middle of something.”
Alex didn’t want to know any of the details. He had enough on his plate as it was.
“Did that travel agent phone?” he asked quickly.
“No, you’re the first call I’ve had. Listen, take your time getting back. It looks like we’re going to be a while.”
Alex hung up, forgetting for a moment that he’d called Mor with the intent of getting a ride back to his truck.
That was out of the question now. His stomach growled, and Alex realized he’d skipped lunch again. It wasn’t that he wasn’t hungry, but he’d grown accustomed to eating with Elise at the inn, and without her to remind him, Alex had a tendency to work right through the noonday meal.
Buck’s Grill was close enough to walk to, and after grabbing a bite to eat, Alex was fairly certain he’d be able to find someone to give him a lift back to his truck. It was the other side of the coin to small town life. Everybody always seemed to know everybody else’s business, but they were also willing to help out at the drop of a hat when they were needed.
It was one of the many pluses that made the few minuses worthwhile.
The crowd at Buck’s had thinned considerably, and Alex didn’t have any trouble grabbing a seat at the counter. Elise always liked to sit in a booth when they ate at the diner, but Alex liked to be near the griddle, where the action was. In all honesty, he kind of missed the playful debate with her about where to sit.
Buck’s daughter Sally Anne was wiping the counter as Alex sat down. Instead of the typical teasing he normally got from her, Sally Anne gave him a sympathetic smile as she put a large glass of iced tea in front of him and quickly filled a small pitcher with more of the same.
“Would you like your usual?” she asked softly.
Alex nodded. “How about some extra fries with that today? I’m really hungry.”
She nodded, scribbled his order on her pad, then called out to her father in back, “Dad, order up.”
She took her rag and cleaned the spot just beside him, one that was already gleaming. “Alex, I’m so sorry. You must be crushed.”
He finished a sip of the wonderful sweet tea and said, “I hate to see anyone murdered, but if it had to happen, I’d rather it wasn’t at Hatteras West.”
“I’m not talking about the murder, Alex; that’s old news. It’s got to be hard, what with Elise packing up and leaving you in the middle of all this mess.”
“Sally Anne, she’s visiting family. There was a medical emergency.”
The young waitress nodded knowingly. “I understand, Alex. Listen, you’ve always been a good friend to me. If you need to talk or anything, give me a call, okay?”
Though her sentiment was misplaced, Sally Anne did have a good heart. Besides, he was tired of denying the rumors.
“Thanks, Sally Anne, I’ll keep that in mind.”
She patted his hand and smiled softly. “You do that, Alex. I’m here for you if you need me.”
The bell in the kitchen rang, and in a moment Alex found his club sandwich in front of him. Buck had really laid on the fries, and Alex dove in.
Buck came out as Alex took the second bite of his sandwich.
“How goes it, Alex?” he asked in a gruff voice that matched his muscular frame.
Buck was a former Golden Gloves boxing champion, with the meaty build and broken nose to prove it. When he spoke, it was always more of a growl than mere words.
“I’m fine, Buck. I saw you out running the other day. You can really move.”
“For a guy my age and my size, you mean? I’m in training,” he said with a grin.
“You’re going to fight again?” Alex asked incredulously.
Buck said, “No, I’ve got something more important than that coming up.” He looked at his daughter, then asked, “Can I at least tell him? Alex knows how to keep his mouth shut.”
“Dad, we’re not telling anybody yet. You know that.”
Whatever they were discussing, Alex certainly was intrigued. Buck looked around the diner. “Nobody can hear us. Go on, tell him.”
“I’m getting married,” she said softly.
“Congratulations,” Alex said. “Eric’s a lucky man.”
Sally Anne said, “Alex,