Page 60 of Take Me Home

“Yes,” I answer as she fills both mugs. “Thanks, Becka.”

“So,” she muses, glancing at me over the top of her glasses. “Rumor has it there’s an interesting guest at Hank’s.”

I arch an eyebrow at Owen, wondering if he’s been talking. The man has a love for gossip.

He shakes his head. “It wasn’t me.”

Becka chuckles. “My sources say she’s…what’s the word they used? Smoking hot.” She smiles, a strand of her blonde hair falling from the messy bun high on her head.

I groan. “Wayne.”

“Initially I heard the rumors on the Honey Badger chat.” Becka laughs and nods. “But Wayne confirmed, and she’s been in here with Poppy a few times. What’s her story? Hank’s buyers usually only stay a few nights, but she’s been here for a week or so now.”

Jackson joins us, sitting in the seat beside me. His presence is a welcome interruption from Becka’s prying.

She turns her focus on Jackson. “You know anything about the new girl in town, Doc?”

Jackson keeps his expression neutral, reaching for his mug and taking a sip. “HIPAA.”

She rolls her eyes, but there’s a smile playing on her lips. “Okay, fine. I’ll be back with your orders soon.” Becka disappears into the kitchen.

“I wish I could use HIPAA as an excuse anytime someone asks me a damn question,” I tell Jackson, leaning back in my wooden chair.

He smirks.

Owen leans forward on the table, keeping his voice low. “So, how are things going?”

“Nothing is going on between us,” I say a little too quickly.

Jackson and Owen share a look.

“Umm, I meant between Hank and his daughter…but let’s dig into that reaction, shall we?” Owen grins.

I drag a hand down my beard, then take a drink of coffee. “Sorry, Wayne and Poppy won’t stop pestering me about her.”

“Would that have anything to do with you and Hattie being holed up alone together in an old hunting lodge on Hank’s ranch?” Jackson asks, barely containing a smirk.

I jerk my head toward him. “How the hell did you know about that?”

He opens his mouth to answer, and I hold up a hand to stop him. “Don’t you dare say HIPAA or I’ll kick you under the table.”

Jackson’s head falls back in a laugh. “Fine. Poppy called a few nights ago asking if I’d seen you because you weren’t answering your phone.” He shrugs. “She texted me an update later that night explaining what had happened.”

I blink, wondering why Poppy called Jackson and not Owen. She’s known Owen since we were all in diapers. While Jackson’s only been around for a few years.

“You know it’s okay to like Hattie, right? She’s beautiful, and she seems great,” Owen says, interrupting my thoughts. “You haven’t dated much the last few years. Maybe you should jump back in the saddle, so to speak.”

I roll my lips together, contemplating opening up to the guys about this. I’m not one to share what’s going on in my head, but these two are my best friends. My mind is a mess lately…first I was avoiding Hattie and pushing her away, and now I’m not. I don’t know what the hell we’re even doing. All I know is that when I’m with her my brain goes into overdrive, and all I can focus on is her. Touching her, talking to her…hell, just looking at her. I get sucked into everything Hattie and the part of my brain that provides logic, completely stops working.

“Hattie’s leaving. Her life is in California.” My throat feels tight and scratchy. I try to clear it, but that doesn’t soothe it. “Trying the long-distance thing would mean flying. Her flying here, me flying there.”

I traveled very little before my parents’ accident, but even the thought of getting on an airplane now sends a chill down my spine. I realize dying in a plane crash is highly unlikely, that statistically, I’m more prone to be struck by lightning…but logic doesn’t seem to help my fear.

Becka steps through the swinging doors again, this time with our breakfasts. She sets them down in front of us, and we thank her, then she hustles back to the kitchen.

“It’s understandable that you’re hesitant to get on a plane, maybe the anxiety isn’t worth it…but what if it is?” Jackson asks.

Owen watches me closely. “Didn’t Hattie extend her stay? Maybe she’ll end up here indefinitely.” Owen watches me closely as he takes a bite of his omelet. He chews, then swallows. “Hattie seems motivated to get to know Hank and Otto. She even made friends with Poppy.” He pauses for a drink of coffee. “I don’t know her, but it sounds like maybe she doesn’t have much to go back to in California.”