Read Online City Girl by Lori Wick - Free Book Online

Leslie shows up, I might just keep Reagan too.
    â€œWe have customers,” Pierce put his head in the door to announce.
    â€œWell, where is Missy?” Sally demanded.
    â€œI haven’t seen her.”
    Sally’s face went red very quickly as she whipped her apron off and went out to the dining area to do someone else’s job. Her peaceful thoughts about Reagan’s hard work evaporated.
    Reagan noticed the exchange but kept her thoughts to herself. She wondered at people these days who didn’t have enough pride in their work to show up on time and do a good job but then remembered that it was none of her business. The event lingered on her mind, however, so when she finished her work in the kitchen, she removed her own apron and went out front to see if she could help. Sally was still taking orders, so Reagan started around with the coffeepot and a tray of mugs.
    â€œWell, now,” one cowboy spoke amid a table full of cowboys, straightening when she got to his table. “You must be new.”
    â€œI might be.” Reagan was noncommittal. “Do you want coffee?”
    â€œI do, ma’am, yes, but only after you tell me if you’re on today’s menu.”
    â€œDo you want the coffee on your head or in your cup?” was Reagan’s only reply as she counted heads, set mugs on the table, and began to pour. The men at the table had a good laugh over her words, but to a man they tried to catch her eye.
    â€œYou have flour on your cheek,” the man alone at the next table told her.
    Again Reagan was nonchalant.
    â€œDo I?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWould you like coffee?”
    â€œHere, let me get the flour off for you.”
    Reagan was two arms’ lengths away from the table before the man saw her move. He sat with his handkerchief in hand, just staring at her.
    â€œAll I’m offering is the coffee,” she clarified. “Do you want some?”
    Not able to get anything more than an impassive stare from her, the man gave in. He nodded and watched as she poured but wasn’t able to miss that she left his table without a backward glance.
    â€œThey seem to like you,” Sally commented when Reagan came back to the kitchen to help dish up eggs and bacon.
    â€œI’m the new girl, that’s all.”
    Sally took in that head of dark wavy hair, the dark sparkling eyes, and the small but shapely figure, and wasn’t convinced. And she was right. Two weeks passed, and the men still watched for Reagan. She had a way of lighting up the dining room with her candor, her quick smile, and her no-nonsense service. Sally had been smart enough to offer her a little more money, so each morning when she was finished with the baking, she moved to the dining room to wait tables. She was already used to being proposed to and took it in stride, but she didn’t tolerate unwelcome caresses. More than one mess had to be cleaned up because Reagan had been forced to discourage a suitor by dumping his food on top of him.
    The Wednesday of her third week began just this way. Reagan had not slept well and was not in the mood for games. A man whom she had not met before wouldn’t take no for an answer, and Reagan had thrown his water in his face. The man was outraged, but Reagan had had enough. Exiting to the kitchen, she spoke as she gathered her things.
    â€œI’m leaving for the day, Sally. I’m tired of being treated like something on the auction block.” She turned and gave her employer a hard look. “From the outside this place looks classy, but some of your breakfast customers act like animals.”
    Not sure she still had a job, Reagan moved to the door. She headed down the alley, not really keeping track of where she was headed. She wasn’t upset so much as she was tired. The man really hadn’t been that obnoxious, but she hadn’t been in the mood to deal with him.
    A good walk; that’s all I need. Without my