Free Takin' The Reins by Stacey Coverstone

would take? Would there be more trouble with Addison Stillwell? Could she forget her past and the pain Drew had caused? Would she ever be able to open her heart up again?
    “Here we go.” Nicki swooped in and set three hot plates in front of them. “Club sandwich, hot turkey and gravy, and cheeseburger and fries. Is there anything else I can get you three?”
    “Looks good. I believe we’re set,” Wyatt said, apparently forgetting how thirsty he’d been moments earlier. Nicki blew kisses to both men before dashing off to another table. Jordan rolled her eyes.
    Conversation lagged as they ate. The café’s noise level continued to rise, making it difficult to talk. When they were finished and the checks were brought at the end of the meal, the men became like two bulls, with Jordan feeling like the heifer. Wyatt scooped both checks up into his big palm.
    “I’ll get Jordan’s and mine,” Cole assured, grabbing for them.
    Wyatt was not going to have it. “It’s the least I can do since I barged in on the two of you.” He slipped a pair of glasses out of his pocket, put them on, and reviewed the two checks. “Mmmm. Prices are going up.” He dug into his pocket to pull out some dollar bills and dropped them on the table to leave as a tip.
    “I can get the tip,” Cole said, obviously annoyed. He pushed Wyatt’s money back toward him. He then retrieved his wallet and laid some folded greenbacks down. Wyatt chuckled and collected his cash as he stood.
    “Okay, sport. You can pay the tip. Goodbye, Jordan. It was wonderful to see you.” He tipped his head, which today was covered with a baseball cap, not a cowboy hat. “Have a marvelous afternoon. I’ll call you later, since I know the phone is working at the house.” He took two steps and turned sharply. “Do you have a cell phone? I could call you on that if you prefer.”
    Jordan looked at Cole. She hadn’t given him her cell number. It wouldn’t be polite to give it to Wyatt.
    “The house phone will be fine,” she said.
    “Okay. That was one of the best lunches I’ve ever had.” He winked and patted his stomach.
    “Goodbye, Brannigan,” Jordan said, watching him quickly disappear into the throng of customers. He stopped at the register and slapped the male cashier on the back after paying his tab. Before he could get out the door, several people stopped him to chat. He laughed and then turned suddenly and looked directly back at her. Even from a distance, those green eyes penetrated her. When he waved, she smiled and waved back.
    Cole stood up. “Ready to go?”
    “Yes.” She scooted out of the booth.
    “Why’s he calling you later?”
    Her answer was an honest one. “I don’t know.” The pair snaked their way out of the crowded café with people stopping Cole and speaking to him in the same friendly way they had spoken to Wyatt. These two must know every soul in town, she thought. They finally stepped through the door.
    “It’s nice to get out of there. It was too noisy,” she said, inhaling a fresh breath of air. As they turned the corner to walk to where Cole’s truck was parked, they nearly ran into Joe Campbell and Cimarron Cruz. The two men halted their steps and glared.
    “What are you looking at?” Cole boldly asked. Joe’s eyes narrowed into slits. Cimarron sucked his teeth.
    “Were you talking to me, Roberts?” Joe’s tone was menacing.
    Jordan grabbed Cole’s hand. “Please, let’s keep walking. Don’t start anything.”
    Cimarron whistled and made a rude gesture toward her.
    “Why, you son of a…” Cole lunged with his fist raised, but Jordan caught his arm and tugged, pulling him down the sidewalk. He spun around and strutted backwards, keeping his eye on the two men. They stood at the corner baiting him with jeers and gestures. When they reached his the truck, Cole said, “I was just going to tell them to stay off your ranch and leave you alone.”
    “I know, but I don’t want them causing you any trouble.