Free The Awakening by Jana DeLeon Page A

as good a bet for a business partner as they thought. Certainly he didn’t have his life together like the two of them.
    He held in a sigh as he pulled into town and parked in front of the only restaurant open for dinner. All his life, he’d been running to catch up to his older brothers. He’d hoped once they reached adulthood that things would change, but here he was, still comparing himself to Holt and Max and coming up short.
    He looked over at Josie, who hadn’t moved from the passenger’s seat, and was staring at the restaurant with an apprehensive look. “So, is the food any good here?” he asked.
    “It used to be,” she said. “I’ve only eaten here once since I’ve returned home, but it was good then. Not much for variety, but if you’re a burger, ribs or steak guy, then I think you’ll be fine.”
    “Add a beer and that’s the four food groups,” he joked.
    She smiled and he saw her shoulders relax a bit, which was what he’d been hoping to accomplish. If she looked nervous, people might clue in to the fact that it wasn’t just a friendly dinner. If people thought ulterior motives were at play, they might not talk.
    “Let’s get inside and get some dinner,” he said. “I’m starving.”
    They climbed out of the truck and made their way into the restaurant. Tanner was surprised to see most of the tables were full, but they were quickly escorted to a table in the back of the room.
    “It’s busy,” Tanner said as he took a seat. “I guess that’s a good sign that the food is edible.”
    “Or that people are too busy or too lazy to cook.”
    He laughed. “Yeah, there is that.”
    As the hostess took their drink orders, Tanner took the opportunity to scan the room. The general volume had decreased when he’d walked in with Josie. He’d expected as much. He was a stranger and he was with the local town princess. People were bound to be curious. In fact, he was counting on that curiosity to loosen lips.
    When the hostess left, he leaned in toward Josie. “So, give me a rundown of some of the people here.”
    She nodded. “Anyone in particular you want to start with?”
    “The guy at the table up front with the red shirt on hasn’t stopped staring at you since we walked in. What’s his story?”
    She took a sip of water, glanced at the front of the restaurant, then frowned. “That’s Sam Walker. Local real estate agent, huge gossip and general pest.”
    He held in a smile. “So I take it you like him?”
    “I went to school with him, as I did with most every adult in Miel under the age of forty. He didn’t know how to shut up then and he still doesn’t.”
    Tanner nodded. Although he hadn’t spent much time attending school, he had a vague recollection of overhearing Sam’s verbal tirades more than once. Josie had nailed this one.
    Josie studied Tanner for a moment, then grinned. “He called the house this afternoon and asked me out.”
    “Oh?”
    “Yeah. I told him I wasn’t interested in dating. He probably had a coronary when I walked in with you. He would never believe he’s not the best catch in town.”
    Tanner gave Sam a sideways glance. He couldn’t blame the man for trying but had to admit, he liked him even less than before when he was just some dude with a rude staring problem. “Don’t look now, but I think he’s coming over to clarify your policy on dating.”
    Her look of dismay left no doubt of her feelings about the Realtor, and he felt a smug sense of satisfaction.
    “Josie,” Sam said as he stepped up to the table. “I’m surprised to see you out. I thought you were too busy for socializing.”
    Josie looked up at him, her face the perfection of politeness. “Hi, Sam.” She waved a hand at Tanner. “This is Tanner LeDoux. He’s helping me with a situation concerning the construction.”
    Sam looked over at Tanner and gave him a fake smile as he extended his hand. “Sam Walker. Nice to meet you.”
    Tanner shook his hand, squeezing it just a bit