Run To You

fighting with Blake wasn’t high on his list of entertainment. “Briefly.”
    “She’s a nice lady.” He added a splash of milk to his coffee, then handed it to Beau. “Vince is a lucky guy.”
    “He seems happy.” He stirred the milk into his coffee. “He said something about stopping by the store you two have been renovating.”
    “The Gas and Go. It’s not far from here.” He shoved his hand into his pocket and pulled out his keys. “Let’s grab some breakfast at the Wild Coyote first.”
    “I’ll drive,” Beau said as he pulled out his own keys. “Your truck is parked at the bar.”
    T he Wild Coyote advertised their “World Famous Breakfast Casserole” on the front of the diner and on the menus. Beau didn’t know what made it “World Famous,” but he took one look at the photo inside the menu and ordered the Coyote breakfast instead. Blake ordered the same, and they dug into biscuits and gravy, ham and bacon, scrambled eggs, two sides of toast, hash browns, and even the strawberry and cantaloupe garnish.
    “Lord, you two have healthy appetites,” their waitress said as she poured coffee into their white mugs. “You boys need anything else?”
    “No. Thank you.” Beau glanced up from his plate and noticed the many sets of eyes on him and his brother. He and Blake were used to scrutiny, as if people where trying to see the slight differences in their faces. He glanced around as he chewed. It was still unnerving. Especially since they sat at a table in the middle of the restaurant and could be viewed a full three-sixty. “I forgot how much people stare.”
    Blake shoved some toast into his mouth and looked up. He chewed and washed it down with coffee. “I don’t think it’s so much us as your passenger of the past week. I’m sure they’re just dying to ask about Sadie’s sister.”
    Beau returned his attention to his biscuits. “I just dropped her off last night.”
    “Small town, and the JH employs a lot of people.” Blake set his coffee on the table.
    “Well, this must be your brother,” a voice that rattled like an Abrams tank spoke from the aisle. Beau looked up at an older lady with a pile of gray hair and a stack of wrinkles. She had little cowboy boots dangling from her ears and a white T-shirt with an assault rifle on the front with the words “Come and Take It” written beneath.
    “Hello, Luraleen.” Blake stood and offered his hand.
    “Oh you.” She wrapped her skinny arms around Blake’s chest. “You know I’m a hugger.”
    Blake grinned. “That I do.” He raised one hand toward Beau, who put down his fork and rose. “Beau, this is Vince’s aunt, Luraleen Jinks.”
    “It’s a pleasure, Ms. Jinks.” He held out his hand, only to have her wrap around him like a scrawny octopus.
    “Call me Luraleen,” she said, and gratefully dropped her arms. “You boys go on ahead and sit. I don’t want to keep you from your breakfast. The Wild Coyote makes a real good biscuit on Wednesday on account of that Russian Ralf cooking in the kitchen.” She looked around and added out of the corner of her mouth. “Never come on the weekends. Friday through Sunday mornings Sarah Louise Baynard-Conseco is in the kitchen. Her biscuits are tough as Texas clay. Probably on account of her husband being currently incarcerated in San Quentin and her not having any man at home to cook for.” Then she added as if they’d asked, “Murder.”
    Beau cut his eyes to his brother, who just shrugged a shoulder. “I’ll remember that, Ms. Jinks. It was a pleasure to meet you.” He put a hand on the table to take his seat, but she wasn’t done, and he had to remain standing.
    “And of course, you just brung Clive Hollowell’s illegitimate daughter to town to finally meet Sadie Jo.” Her blue eyes drilled into Beau as if she expected him to speak. He kept quiet but she did not return the favor. “Isn’t that just a scandal? Who would have thought?” She shook her head. “Did you get to know her pretty good? All those days alone? Just you and her? I forgot that girl’s name. What did you say it was?”
    “I didn’t, Ms. Jinks.” Beau softened the news with a smile. “I can’t tell you anything. If you want to know about Sadie’s sister, you’ll have to talk to Sadie.”
    Luraleen’s eyes got squinty. “That girl never says nothing to nobody. Thinks she’s too good for her raisins.” She finally shuffled off. “Deserted her poor daddy for all those years,” she