Chapter Three

      Arden woke to the sound of birds chirping and a dog barking in the distance. Stretching languidly, she smiled and opened her eyes. Momentarily startled by the unfamiliar surroundings, she jerked upright to a sitting position. A heartbeat later she remembered everything: her car breaking down, Brandon rescuing her and bringing her to his home.

      Slipping from the bed, Arden crossed the room to the en suite. Not a morning person by nature, she felt unusually refreshed. She credited her vigor to the early hour she’d gone to bed and the fact that she’d slept like the proverbial baby.

      She brushed her teeth, washed up and applied some lip gloss. After dressing in the clothes she’d washed last night, she tidied the bathroom and made her bed. When she stepped into the hallway she heard voices, so she knew Brandon and Joni were awake. Following the sound, Arden arrived at the kitchen.

      “Good morning,” Joni said from her seat at the table. “Help yourself to some coffee.”

      “Thanks.” Arden grabbed a mug from beside the coffeemaker, filled it, and added sugar and amaretto cream.

      “Brandon and I were just talking about you.”

      “Were you?”

      “Yes,” Brandon replied.

      Until he spoke, Arden had avoided looking at him. Now, though, she forced her gaze to where he leaned near the window. She’d thought he was to-die-for gorgeous yesterday, but it was nothing compared to the way he looked this morning. His jaw was scraped clean of all stubble and appeared baby-bottom smooth. She curled her hand into a fist to resist the urge to caress his face and find out. His dreadlocks were hanging loose around his shoulders. Dressed in a simple white T-shirt, his denim-clad legs crossed at the ankle, he looked perfectly relaxed.

      Although her heart thumped wildly in her chest at the sight of him, she managed to speak normally. “Do I want to know what you were saying, or should I go back upstairs?”

      He smiled. “We were discussing your situation.”

      His smile momentarily stopped her brain from functioning. “What situation?”

      “Your car.”

      “Right.” She took a swallow of her coffee, hoping a jolt of caffeine would help her follow a simple conversation.

      “I talked to John. He’ll tow it to his garage this morning and get to work on it as soon as he can. I didn’t know your cell phone number, so I told him to call me when he knows what the problem is and has an estimate. Does that work for you?”

      She nodded. He’d handled everything with one phone call, saving her the hassle and the stress. She knew she should be grateful, and she was. If only he didn’t remind her of her brothers rushing in to save the day. “That works great. Thanks.”

      “Sure.” He glanced at his watch, then pushed away from the wall. “I need to get to the restaurant. I’ll catch up with you two later.”

      Arden managed to keep her eyes from following him as he left.

      “How about breakfast?” Joni asked. From the twinkle in her eyes, she hadn’t missed Arden’s struggle to not watch Brandon leave.

      “Breakfast sounds great. But you told me you’re not much of a cook and, to be honest, neither am I. The best cook just left the house.”

      Joni laughed. “I didn’t mean here. Brandon would lose his mind if I touched his precious stove without his written permission and step-by-step instructions. There’s a great diner in town where everyone goes for breakfast. Even Brandon, and he doesn’t make a practice of eating other people’s cooking.”

      “Okay. I’m in.”

      Ten minutes later Arden and Joni entered Mabel’s Diner. The place looked exactly like Arden imagined a small-town diner should. Red vinyl booths lined the walls. Square tables with chrome chairs with red vinyl cushions filled the middle of the room. Framed pictures of movie stars hung on the walls at odd intervals. An old-fashioned jukebox played an ancient doo-wop song. It was positively charming.

      Several people called hello to Joni, who returned their greetings. Every booth was filled, so Joni led the way to one of the tables. Arden grabbed a laminated menu from between an old-fashioned sugar bowl and the salt-and-pepper shakers. There was so much to choose from. Omelets, waffles, pancakes, bacon, sausage, even pork chops and fish.

      After looking over the selections, she glanced up at Joni, whose menu remained untouched. “You already know what you want?” Arden didn’t know how she was going to decide what to eat. She loved food and considered eating her hobby. Fortunately, she had a high metabolism or she’d be the size of a sumo wrestler.

      Joni nodded. “The special on Tuesday is excellent. Grits, breakfast potatoes, two sausage links, two strips of bacon, two pancakes and two eggs cooked any way you want as long as you want them fried.”

      “All for two dollars?” Arden quipped.

      Joni didn’t laugh or even smile. Instead, she placed her hand on Arden’s and gave a squeeze. “Don’t worry about the cost. Breakfast is on me.”

      Arden had opened her mouth to correct Joni’s misconception about her finances when the waitress stepped up to their table, pad in hand and ready to take their orders.

      “Hi, I’m Lynn and I’ll be your server. Are you ready?”

      Joni nodded at the perky teenager. “I know what I want. What about you, Arden?”

      “I think I’ll try the special.”

      “Good choice,” Joni said. “Two specials.”

      “Okay.” The waitress scribbled down their orders and promised to return right away with their orange juice.

      “You don’t have to buy me breakfast. I have money.”

      “And a broken-down car. My mother is a teacher and I know they don’t make much money. Especially new ones.”

      “I know how this must look, but—”

      “No buts. Just accept breakfast with the same good grace you accepted our hospitality last night. Simply smile and say thanks.”

      Having someone offer to pay for anything was a new experience for Arden. Usually it was the other way around. People sat on their hands waiting for Arden to whip out her wallet and pay for their meals. And if someone did treat her, it was only because they wanted something in return. Joni didn’t know she was a Wexford, so she obviously didn’t have an ulterior motive. Joni was being nice because she was a nice person.

      Still, she didn’t feel right leaving Joni with the wrong impression. It felt like lying by omission. And she hated liars. But Joni was adamant about buying breakfast and Arden didn’t want to insult her by refusing her offer. She’d let Joni buy her breakfast now and she’d treat Joni later.

      Arden smiled. “Thanks. I really appreciate it.”

      “You’re welcome,” Joni replied.

      Their waitress returned with their food, setting the plates before them. Arden picked up her fork, breathing in the delicious aromas. As they ate, Joni told Arden about life