Free Texas Hold 'Em by Kay David Page B

of beer, she paused beside the table and tilted her head toward the empty plates, her drawl pure Texan. “I guess all y’all didn’t like the tacos?”
    She lingered as they laughed, her expression open and friendly. “What brings you guys to Aqua Frio? You visiting folks in town?”
    “My mom’s nearby,” Austin answered. “Down the road a bit. I told everybody we oughta stop here and get something to eat before we went the rest of the way. She’s not much of a cook.”
    “My mama’s the best cook in the world,” the waitress gushed. “I think she should open a place and give this dive some competition.” She lifted her head as the door opened, the bell announcing an arrival for the second time since they’d come in. An even bigger smile came over her young features. “Sheriff Rose! Cool to see you. How ’bout your usual?”
    “I’m not staying, April. I just came in to speak to your customers, here. They parked down the road in a tow-away zone.”
    April raised an eyebrow and cut her gaze back to Santos’s face. “You’re mighty popular with the law enforcement crowd today.”
    “Somehow, I’m not surprised,” he murmured.
    The girl left for the kitchen as Rose closed the distance between them. Pouring through the diner’s windows, the western sun painted her hair with shimmering gold highlights catching his eye. The uniform she wore didn’t take anything away from her appearance, despite its goal to do that very thing.
    She stopped at the edge of the table. Her smile wasn’t real. He’d seen the real one before, and this wasn’t it.
    “Evenin’, Miz Deputy,” Santos drawled. “Wanna meet my friends?”
    “I’d love to.”
    He draped an arm over the back of the booth and pointed to each agent, giving Rose their undercover names. She acknowledged each one with a nod of her head, including Austin.
    “You guys enjoying your supper?”
    They nodded.
    “That’s real good.” Her friendly attitude disappeared. “Because you’re going to pay your bill and leave right now to move your motorcycles. Otherwise, they’re gonna get towed.”
    She shot a glance toward the rest of the patrons, and Santos followed her gaze, understanding immediately.
    “Cut us some slack, Sheriff,” he said loudly. “We’re just getting something to eat then we’re outta here.”
    “That’s exactly what’s going to happen.” She smiled sweetly. “It’s just going to happen a little sooner than you thought. Like right now.” Her amusement disappeared. “Let’s go.”
    They all grumbled appropriately, then scooted off the cracked vinyl cushions. The customers relaxed noticeably when Rose said hello to one or two of them as she escorted the bikers out.
    “What did April mean about you being popular?” she asked Santos under her breath when they reached the sidewalk outside.
    “King was in there a few minutes ago. He’s not happy you let me go.”
    “I’ll deal with him later.” A deep frown crossed her forehead, her blue eyes troubled. “We need to talk.”
    “Not here.”
    “I agree. Where are you staying?”
    “We’re out at the ranch. Not in the big house—we’re bunking in the old place on the back ridge. But everyone’s staying there—and we need some privacy. Meet me by the horse pens on the south side.”
    They agreed on a time, then Rose spoke again. “I’ll be there—unless you’re planning on having some other company.” She lifted an eyebrow toward the diner where the waitress waved from the window.
    “She’s a little young for me.” He let his stare slide over Rose’s face. It lingered on her lips before he raised it to her eyes. “I’ll wait for you instead.”
    …
    The crew was lounging on the other side of the street where the Harleys actually were illegally parked. Santos started toward them, then slowed his stride when a stealthy rustling sound in the darkness behind him drew his attention. Edging his hand underneath his cut, he ducked into the shadows of a