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She glanced at the clock The red nu back to sleep now--the alar in another half hour anyway

Macie cleaned up, dressed, and braided her hair before she hopped in her SUV and navigated her way to work

Late yesterday afternoon, after she and her father finished their meal at the local diner, he’d sped off to Gemma’s ranch to set up the cahts and to gauge his new responsibilities without her chattering at hi of her best friend Kat, wondering how she’d ain Then she noticed the "help wanted" sign by the cash register and asked the waitress about the opening

Vel owner of the Last Chance Diner--needed a gal Friday to fill in part-time as a cook and waitress The hours were sporadic, but the pay was decent for rural Wyoenuinely happy to hire her on a silad her first day would be spent in the kitchen Between the bizarre dreaies would be a productive way to channel her frustrations

Inside the restaurant, the rich scent of coffee caused her steps to quicken and she poured a rinned "Another caffeine addict, huh?"

Macie grunted

"Well, I’ve already had four cups so I’ve shaken off the cobwebs and started the bacon"

"What ties of frozen hashbrowns on the griddle

"Most of the early custo breakfast in a hurry So I always have a bunch of potatoes and meat done ahead of time"

"Good plan" Macie donned an apron, lifted thethe bacon to check on its doneness while downing her coffee "Mostly egg specials?"

"Yeah Some with pancakes,omelets?"

"Nope But I didn’t check to see if there’s anything fancy on the s benedict"

Velma poured her another cup of coffee "No No huevos rancheros either, no s me to add ’em" She confided, "Don’t seeh he threatens to bring his cousins up froht just surprise hi potatoes "Most folks assume I’m Mexican anyway"

"I didn’t want to be rude and ask, but are you?"

Macie smiled "No I’ht? Is he your…"

"Dad Cash Big Crow"

"He don’t look old enough to have a daughter your age"

She’d fielded this question often enough it was second nature to her "He was sixteen when he knocked up oes I had ed "It happens What’s your dad doing around here?"

"He’s the new foreman for Gemma Jansen’s ranch" Macie froze Maybe that wasn’t supposed to be coe

"’Bout damn time Gemma hired somebody decent She’s been tryin’ to do it all since Steve died Be workin’ herself into an early grave" Vel chat "Do you know Gemma very well?"

"No I just e she didn’t offer you a job on the Bar 9"

"To tell you the truth, Vel along with Dad for the su I don’t want to be accused of being lazy" Macie knew her father still struggled against that racial stereotype--of being nothinginjun An attitude she’d run into a time or two herself

Velma chuckled "You ain’t been here for ot a job, so I think it’s safe to say you ain’t lazy"

"Thanks" Macie flipped the hashbrowns "Just so you know, I’djust fine, Miss Macie, ’cause I’ve had enough years of cookin’ over this hot griddle I do believe there’s hed "Must be why you look so young, Miz Velma"

Velma snapped a dishtowel at her on the way to unlock the front door "Yes sirree

You and I are gonna get along just fine, squirt"

Chapter Eight

Geotten used to it in the last three years, but she still experienced a pang of disappointment

Thank God Cash was conked out when she’d come to bed But in her restless state she couldn’t sleep When she’d quietly crept out to stare out the , the tears started

Unwanted tears, both happy and sad, as she said goodbye to her past and hello to her future

An odd thought occurred to her Cash hadn’t overheard her crying, had he?

Pointless to worry about now She rolled her lazy ass out of bed, realizing she’d overslept by a good hour Did Cash think she acted the lady of thearound between the sheets all day while he was out busting his ass?

Places were sore on her body that hadn’t been sore in awhile, so she popped a couple of aspirin She dressed in her usual attire of jeans, boots and a lightweight, long-sleeved cotton shirt to protect her skin frole bowl and spoon rested in the dish rack beside the sink No coffee was left war clean Well Shoot This wasn’t what she’d expected Would’ve been nice to share a cup before heading out to feed the cattle