Free The Ranger's Passionate Love by Nicole Jordan Page B

Crystal, "you may go away, never to eat like this again." a chorus of 'boos' met her words, the other teens now getting into the spirit of the act. Crystal seemed gratified, playing off the response.
     
    "Or you may eat like this again, but you must ..." Crystal hung her head for a moment before lifting it and speaking in her best horror-movie trailer voice, "bring your parents back with you next week. To eat with you. In public."
     
    "Booooo" cried one boy.
     
    "Arg," cried another, clutching dramatically at his chest.
     
    French-fry stealing girl stood, gesturing for her friends to stop.
     
    "You drive a hard and terrible bargain," announced the girl, her tone matching Crystal's. "But you know you leave us with no choice at all. We shall return next week. As long as there is more meatloaf."
     
    All eyes turned to Kyara, who stood completely bemused by the pageant unfolding in front of her.
     
    "You're all really weird," Kyara said. "But yeah, there can be meatloaf."
     
    The teens roared their approval, Kyara laughing along with them.

The next Tuesday found Kyara in her kitchen staring at a list of ideas for a new menu. Out in the dining area, the rest of the trail project was gathering. Kyara hadn't joined them yet, telling herself the menu took priority. She hadn't put it in place yet, but it looked like she was going to have to. Word was already spreading. Today she'd had three people ask for cornbread that wasn't on the current menu.
     
    Maybe I should just stay in and work on this tonight , worried Kyara. It's not like they really need me out there .
     
    But a larger part of her rebelled at the thought. No, you know what? He might have invited me, but that's my place now. Those are my friends, and my one night a week off. I'm going.
     
    Kyara put down the pad with the ideas for the new menu, and went to get her coat.
     
    I'm doing this, she told herself. No matter how awkward it is.
     
    Kyara marched into the dining area, leaving the clean-up for when she got back in. She immediately found Caitlin, K, and Ashley at a table in the corner and joined them. As she did, though, she scanned the rest of the group, looking for his face.
     
    "Where's Mr. Hardison?" she asked as she got there, trying not to sound bitter and failing.
     
    All three sets of blue eyes immediately locked onto her.
     
    "He said he wanted to survey ahead," said Caitlin. "Why ... what's up?"
     
    "It's nothing," said Kyara.
     
    "Dish," demanded K.
     
    "Fine," said Kyara, "But only once we're out on the trail. It's a little too close in here right now."
     
    Kyara turned to her assembled patrons.
     
    "Alright, folks. Let's head out," she called. "You don't have to come up on the trail, but you can't stay here."
     
    People began to shuffle towards the door. Caitlin gave her an odd look, but it wasn't until she was underway herself that Kyara realized that it was probably because she'd taken charge in Jason's absence.
     
    Well, she reasoned, it is my restaurant, after all.
     
    One everyone had their ATV partners, the ladies held back, Kyara behind K and Caitlin behind Ashley. They let the others race on ahead, slowing about half way to the work site.
     
    K cut the motor and climbed off, going to stand next to the other two. They left Kyara sitting on the ATV alone, feeling lost. She sat, taking a moment in the warm evening air. Trees rustled, insects called, and no one spoke.
     
    Finally, Kyara looked up at her friends.
     
    "Why didn't anyone tell me that Jason was the one who wrote the bad review about my place?" she asked plaintively.
     
    Three jaws fell open.
     
    "You didn't know?" blurted out Ashley, astonished.
     
    Kyara shook her head.
     
    "I didn't even know his last name," she confessed. "I just put it together last week."
     
    "That's why you always call him Jason," said Caitlin, putting it together. "He never told you to call him Jay."
     
    Kyara nodded miserably.
     
    "He never corrected me," she said, her voice