Crossroads of Delusion by Danielle M Haas

Author:Danielle M Haas [Haas, Danielle M]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Danielle M Haas
Published: 2022-10-24T18:30:00+00:00

Cruz sat at the bar inside the Chill N’ Grill, gaze fixed on the clock mounted above the bar that gave the time as well as advertised his favorite beer. The Chill N’ Grill was the best place to grab some food in Pine Valley and had always reminded Cruz a little bit of home. The rough-around-the-edges eatery didn’t have the urban polish or constant flow of young talent searching for stardom like the honkey tonks in Nashville, but it was down-home country through and through.

Wade, the owner who often worked the bar, sauntered over with a toothpick between his thin lips and a dishrag slung over his shoulder. “Afternoon. Little late for lunch, isn’t it?” He wiped off the already gleaming wood in front of Cruz and slid a coaster to his side.

Cruz grunted. The hours had ticked by as he and Lincoln uncovered more about Dusty Somerfield’s past. Nothing else had popped up to cause concern, but the moment Cruz saw the man’s blood-shot eyes the morning after Zoe had used pepper spray on her attacker, he’d gone to the top of his very very short list of suspects. “Worked through lunch. Zoe’s meeting me, so I’ll wait to order food in case she’s hungry. I’ll take a cola while I wait.”

Wade scooped ice into a clear plastic cup then filled it with the dark liquid. “I heard about what happened. Too damn bad. Makes ya wonder what the hell’s wrong with this world.”

“Have you seen anyone who’s given you a strange vibe? Any new customers lingering around?” Sliding the cup closer, Cruz slipped in a straw and took a sip. The cold soda cleared the dryness from his throat, the caffeine and sugar going straight to his head.

“Not that I recall.” Wade scratched his index finger along the blond scruff of his naturally tanned jawline. “But I’ll let you know if something pops up.”

“Thanks.”

“Looks like your little lady’s here.” Winking, Wade nodded toward the door.

A black, puffy coat all but swallowed Zoe’s slim frame as she weaved through the scattered tables. She waved to a couple dining in the corner as she squinted, scanning the dimly lit room. When her eyes locked on him, he lifted a hand in greeting. A knot of tension loosened in his chest. Being away from her today had been harder than he’d expected, and he hadn’t liked it.

Hadn’t liked not being an arm’s length away. Hadn’t liked feeling as if a piece of him was missing.

Zoe smiled wide and settled onto the backless stool beside him. “Hi.” She cast her grin toward Wade. “Hey there, stranger.”

“Hey back, Darlin`. What can I get ya?” Wade’s dimples deepened in his cheeks, and Cruz had to fight the urge to slap them off his face, taking the appreciative gleam in his eyes with them.

Tucking in her lips, she shrugged out of her coat and draped it over the empty stool to her right. “House salad with grilled chicken and water.”

“All right, and you, Cruz?”

Stomach growling, Cruz decided on what he always got.

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