Free Pitch Perfect by LUANN MCLANE Page A

gave him a deadpan look, he grinned. “Okay, stupid question.”
    “May I get you something to drink?” Her tone was cool and professional but had a nervous edge that made him want to say something reassuring, but he didn’t.
    “Just water.”
    “Lemon?”
    “No, thanks. I don’t like fruit in my drinks.”
    “Okay, one water coming up.” When Mia poised her pencil in front of her pad and licked her lips, a hot stab of longing slid directly south. Damn, the girl looked fine even when she was flustered. “Do you need a minute or are you ready to order?”
    I’ll have you,
popped into Cam’s brain and made him shift in his seat. “What’s today’s special?”
    “Pot roast, mashed potatoes, and your choice of one side. You can add a salad for one dollar. One dollar! Can you believe it? Oh, and the glazed carrots are simply divine.”
    “Sounds good.”
    “Oh, and may I suggest a nice glass of merlot?”
    Cam almost laughed, but she was so sincere that he couldn’t make fun of her. “Uh, no, thanks. I think I’ll stick with the unfruited water.”
    “Okay.” She frowned. “So does that mean that you want the special?”
    “I’m not sure. Bring me a tossed salad to start with. Thousand Island dressing.”
    “Excellent choice,” she said, as if he was dining in a five-star restaurant.
    “Thank you,” Cam answered in a fake-serious tone. “It was a tough decision.”
    Mia pressed her lips together. “I can imagine. Jessica makes it from scratch. Well, she makes all of her dressings fresh. I watched her. It was fascinating.” She drew out the word and did this little hand-flip thing that looked so out of place with her job that Cam almost chuckled. He had seen the same kind of irritating phony gestures from countless rich women, yet Mia seemed sincere, causing Cam to be . . .
charmed
?
    Nah, couldn’t be! He was merely amused. And yet . . .
    “Oh, I’ve been telling everyone.”
    “Telling everyone what?”
    “That just about everything here at Wine and Diner is made from scratch with no preservatives. Most of her vegetables are organically grown and many of them purchased locally when in season.”
    “Good to know.” Cam had to hide his grin. Mia Money was cute enough to get big tips even if she sucked at serving.
    “I’ll be right back with your salad and beverage.”
    “Thanks.” Cam watched her walk away with more interest than he wanted to have in a woman. Not only did he find her as sexy as hell, but he was intrigued as well. Her manicure, flawless skin, and glossy hair screamed
pampering
, and yet here she was waiting tables while her battered old car got repaired. And while she had that air of confidence that came with having wealth, she also had a nervous edge that had Cam wondering just what she was running from.
    Cam looked back down at the menu and grinned at the bits and pieces of local folklore and Kentucky recipes peppered throughout the extensive selections. New versions of standard classic diner favorites gave the restaurant fresh appeal without losing the throwback charm. He usually just ordered a burger or the special, but he decided to branch out and try something different today. With that in mind he studied the extensive choices.
    “Wow.” Cam felt his heart lurch when he saw Stone Soup listed on the menu along with a sidebar explaining the timeless fable. His overworked mother had often been too tired to pay much attention to Cam, but once in a while she read a bedtime story to him before he went to sleep. A battered book of fables had been his favorite, and seeing Stone Soup sent an unexpected ache of sadness straight to his heart. His mother would sometimes end the story by ruffling his hair and placing a quick kiss on top of his head. That simple gesture was as close as he ever felt to being loved.
    Cam sighed at the memory. Other than late at night, his mother was mostly absent, working no-end double shifts that paid very little but required lots of hours.