Dont you miss Dallas?
Sometimes. Elizabeth shrugged. I mean, its nice to have a big choice of movies to go see, malls to go shopping at, other restaurants to eat in. But you know, frankly, when you run a restaurant, youre tied to it. Twenty-four seven. You dont get out that much to do any of those things, and if I want to, well, San Antonios not that far away. The rest of the time, theres the fact that it takes me five minutes to get to work; theres very little turnover in employees; and I know most of my customers by name. I like that.
They were interrupted at that point by the arrival of the young girl who had been talking to Benny earlier. Im sorry, she said a little breathlessly. Sorry, Ms. Morgan.
Elizabeth smiled and nodded to Lisa. Ill get back to my job and let you order now. It was nice chatting with you.
She moved away, and the girl went into her spiel. My name is Teresa, and Ill be waiting on you this evening. Could I get you a drink while you look over the menu?
Lisa ordered and settled back into the booth to relax. Benny, she noticed, had disappeared. She found her thoughts turning to Sheriff Sutton. The man was damnably attractive. She remembered that moment in his office when they had been only inches apart, white-hot anger coursing through her, and mingled with it, feeding off it, had been a pulsing, primitive desire. She had felt it coming off him, too, humming and magnetic.
It was absurd, of course, Lisa reminded herself. They were, literally, on opposites sides. And she felt certain that they had nothing in common, no real attraction except for that strange, momentary response. A chemical reaction, thats all. Some animal impulse, spurred by a signal too primal for her to even noticea scent or a visual stimulusthe line of his leg against his uniform, perhaps, or his long, mobile fingers, thumb hooked into the belt of his uniform, or the well-cut lips
Lisa realized with a start that she was sitting staring at the table dreamily, a faint smile curving her mouth. She had started out analyzing her bizarre response to the man, and she had wound up daydreaming about him like a teenager in class!
She was glad when Teresa brought her salad, giving her something to concentrate on besides the sheriff. The meal, she discovered to her delight, was deliciousthe salad crisp and dark green, the barest of balsamic vinaigrette on it, just as she liked it, and the pasta dish light and subtly seasoned.
How was your dinner? Elizabeth Morgan stopped by her table on the way back from seating some more customers.
Wonderful, Lisa replied truthfully. As good as in Dallas.
Elizabeth smiled at the phrasing of her praise. I take it that you miss Dallas?
Yeah. Lisa let out a regretful sigh. Although, I have to admit, not as much after a dinner like this one.
Elizabeth lingered by her table for a few minutes, chatting with her about Dallas, and Teresa came to clear the dishes from her table and bring her bill. She had just paid her bill when the door of the café opened and Sheriff Sutton strode in.
He glanced around, then walked purposefully toward Lisas table. What was it, Lisa wondered, that was so utterly sexy about the way a man walked in cowboy boots?
Beside her, echoing her thoughts, Elizabeth Morgan let out an exaggerated sigh and said, Sheriffs have got it all over cops, dont they? Theres just something about boots and a cowboy hat. She smiled at Sutton as he drew near. Good evening, Sheriff. You want to see a menu?
No, thanks, Elizabeth. Im not staying. I just wanted to talk to Ms. Mendoza.
Sure. You want something to drink? Coffee? Iced tea?
Coffee would be great, thanks.
Elizabeth moved away as he slid into the booth across from Lisa.
Have a seat, Lisa commented dryly.
He grinned. Thanks.
What are you doing here?
I saw your car outside. Thought Id drop by and talk to you a little bit.
How do you know my car? She asked, exasperated.
Saw you get into it a while ago. Again the bone-melting smile flashed as he admitted, I was watching out my window when you left.
SheriffI dont know what you want, but
You know, I just got my butt chewed out for about ten minutes by Bennys grandmother for letting you get Benny away from me. You owe me a few minutes of your time.
Lisa could not help but smile at the image of that short old woman raking Quinn Sutton over the coals. Sorry. Ive met the wrath of Señora Fuentes myself.
Look, Ms. Mendoza Quinn leaned across the table, looking into Lisas eyes. Lisa found it difficult to look away. I think we got off on the wrong foot. I was thinking that maybe we could start all over again. If you knew me better, you might find out that Im not such an ogre.
I am sure you are not, Lisa agreed easily. However, I see little use in getting to know you, as you say. We are on opposite sides, and
Were not so far apart as you think, he put in quickly. I realize that you dont think so, but I have Benny Hernandezs best interests at heart.
Lisa leaned back against the padded seat of the booth, crossing her arms and raising her eyebrows expressively. You do?
Yes, I do. I dont know what youre used to. Obviously you come from the city somewhere. San Antonio? Houston?
Dallas.
He nodded. Well, things are different here. I dont look on the sheriffs job as getting criminals so much as protecting the people of the town. People like Señora Fuentes, for instance. And her grandson, little as you would like to believe it. I am trying to help Benny.
I see. So you are sort of the Great White Father of Angel Eye, is that it? Protecting all the poor and ignorant Mexicans, even if it means incarcerating them illegally.
Suttons jaw tightened. You know, youve got a hell of a chip on your shoulderespecially considering the fact that I can speak Spanish better than you can.
Fury spurted up in Lisa at his words. She grabbed her purse and scooted out of the booth, sending a flashing angry glance at him before striding quickly out of the restaurant.
As she strode across the parking lot, she heard his bootsteps on the pavement behind her, but she ignored him, marching straight to her car. He caught up with her before she reached it, grasping her arm and pulling her to a halt.
Lisa spun around, jerking her arm from his grasp. Her skin seemed to burn where he had touched it, and her anger was fueled by the fact that his nearness, his touch, made her feel weak in the knees. Let go of me! What do you think youre doing?
Im sorry. Dont go storming off. Im trying to explain things to you. Im trying to make amends.
Youre doing a really lousy job of it.
I know, he agreed ruefully. I seem to have a knack for offending you. Please, ignore what I said. Youre off base in saying that Im acting out of prejudice, but I understand why youd feel that way. This isnt about singling Benny Hernandez out because hes a Latino. Maybe Im too paternal in the way I feel about this town, but it isnt only regarding the Mexican-American community. I have a duty to help the people of this town, to protect them. Thats what I was elected to do. Thats why I haul the kids I catch drinking and driving down to the jail, not because I enjoy hassling drunk teenagers or causing their parents grief, but because I want them to think before they do it next time. I dont want to have to scrape them up off the road.