by Chloe Lang
“You brought us here to pitch something?” Lance frowned. “Michael, you know we are retired.”
“At thirty years old? Lance, you guys have to be tired of playing. Right?”
He and Lance shrugged.
“Guys, isn’t it time for something more rewarding? You built an incredible business together. Don’t you miss that feeling you had back then?”
Michael had hit the nail on the head, but Chuck wasn’t about to let him know it. He wondered what their friend was up to. Why had he brought them here? “What are you selling, Michael?”
“Wilde, Nevada. My town.”
Lance’s eyebrows shot up. “It sounds like you’ve put down roots here.”
“I have. I think you two will see why once I show you around. It’s like no other place in the world, and as you know, I’ve seen a whole lot of the world. The citizens are the most open-armed, wonderful, nonjudgmental people I’ve ever seen.”
Lance smiled. “So you only want us for our money, not our good looks.”
“Guys, I’m serious. I’m funding tons of projects around town. The family who owns the mine is jumping in, too. I’ve built a resort for gay clientele already. It opens next month. We are also founding a college, plus many more projects that I hope you’ll be interested in.”
“Oh my God, Michael. Have you lost your way?” Lance held out his hand. “I want your party card right now. You sound like one of those uptight suits Chuck and I dealt with in New York when we first started A&C.”
“We all have to grow up sometime, Lance. Even you.” Michael smiled. “You are two of my best friends. Your money would be appreciated, but isn’t required. I just wanted you to see my town for yourselves.” He pointed out the window to a sign by a turnoff. “That’s The Masters’ Chambers, the local BDSM club.”
That shocked him. “Way out here? In rural Nevada?”
“I’m telling you guys, this place is special. For instance, the normal family makeup is not one guy and one girl.”
“You mean it’s a gay town?” Lance asked.
Michael laughed. “Not exactly, though people in Wilde accept gays completely. Most families consist of multiple partners. One of the most common is two men and one woman.”
Lance nodded. “Now you’re talking my kind of language.”
“I remember you two liked to share,” Michael said. “Do you still?”
“We do.” Chuck had never dreamed that he and Lance would ever be able to share a woman beyond a night or two. He’d always thought that one day they would have to go their separate ways to wives and lives of their own. Listening to Michael talk about his new town, he wondered if there was a chance of having a different kind of life, one where his best friend in the world could build a family with him.
“Tell us more, Michael.” Lance’s curiosity was certainly as peaked as his. “Tell us everything.”
“I think it’s time for you to see for yourselves. I’m sure you’re both hungry. Let’s start your tour at Norma’s, the local diner. They serve up the best pancakes you’ve ever tasted in your life. They call them King Cakes, for Elvis Presley, who visited Wilde years ago.”
Chapter Two
With her mind still on what the sheriff had told her, Danielle started a new pot of coffee. It had felt good to talk to someone about her past after all these years. Sheriff Champion had promised to keep her secret, and she believed he would.
The diner was thinning out like normal this time of day, but the next shift in the silver mine was about to start. No time to rest. They had about thirty minutes until those ending their shift would arrive at the diner to be fed. Anna, the other waitress, had struggled through the rush, clearly under the weather with allergies or a cold. Danielle had suggested she go home, but the stubborn woman refused.
Justin Champion, one of the sheriff’s sons, sat in a booth by himself. He was on his third cup of coffee. She had an idea as to why he was here, away from his wife, Shelby.
Danielle walked over with a pitcher of water. “Tell me the truth, Justin. Your dad sent you here to keep an eye out for me, right?”
He shrugged. “What can I tell you? My dad thinks the world of you, Danielle. I’m first shift. Besides, haven’t you heard? I’m the new deputy in Wilde.”
“I hadn’t. When did that happen?”
“We kept it quiet for a while. Dad wanted to make sure I was happy with my decision. When I assured him I was, he swore me in. That was just a couple of days ago.”
“What about the rodeo school you and Deuce are running for boys? Will you have time for it still with your new duties?”
“Sure will. When we have a class in town, Dad will give me the week off.”
“How long will you be my bodyguard?”
“For as long as necessary. Brandon will take second shift after he gets out of court. Alex has agreed to the third shift.”
“How long can you guys keep that up? A few days? A week? Shelby isn’t going to want her men away for too long, will she?”
“Shelby knows about the cartel’s interest in you. She’s glad we can help.”
“Who is helping Mackenzie’s brother? Does Trent have bodyguards, too?” Danielle hated what Mackenzie’s brother had been through. Trent had been Malcolm’s prisoner for much longer than she had. She couldn’t imagine the torture Trent had endured.
“Yes. The Masters brothers have stepped up for the job of keeping an eye out for their new brother-in-law.”
“I’m sure Mackenzie is happy about that.”
“She is,” Justin said. “We’re all going to support him for however long it takes. It’s going to be a long road before Trent is back to normal.”
“A very long road. I can’t get over how this place circles the wagons whenever they think someone is in trouble.”
“I know what you mean. I love it here.”
Like her, Justin and his brothers hadn’t grown up in town. Though Elko, their hometown, was less than fifty miles from Wilde, it was as different as night and day.
She filled his water glass. “I didn’t ask for a bodyguard, but it’s nice to know someone has my back. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Would you like a piece of pie? It’ll be my treat.”
“That would be great, Danielle.”
She left to retrieve his dessert.
Anna, the other waitress, came over. “I’m sorry to have to leave you like this, but honestly I can’t stay any longer. I called Carlotta. She’ll be in to help you with the next rush. She’s driving here now from the ranch she and Deuce just bought.”
Carlotta was the owner of Norma’s Diner and quite the character. She also owned Carlotta’s Liquor Store and Tarot Card Reading Room. An odd combination, but in Wilde, it worked. Carlotta was the local psychic, and many went to her for readings. Danielle had never gone to her, though the dear woman had offered several times. She didn’t believe in such things. In fact, she didn’t believe in much, only herself.
“I’ll finish my side work before I leave,” Anna said.
Danielle could tell by how flushed Anna’s face was that she had to be burning up with fever. “Go home. I can handle this just fine. Feel better.”
“But if I get the napkin dispensers and salt and pepper shakers filled, that will make it easier on you.”
She shook her head. “No. Just go. I’ve got it covered, Anna.”
“Okay. I swear when you need a favor, I’ll be there for you.”
“I know you will.”
Anna left.
Danielle wiped off the tables and collected her tips. The people of Wilde were so generous. There wasn’t a day that went by that she didn’t pocket a lot of money.
The bell on the entrance door chimed.
“Have a seat anywhere. I’ll be with you in a second.” She looked up from her work and saw Michael with two very handsome men.
Although she wasn’t interested in any man, she did appreciate a good-looking guy, and lucky for h
er, there were two delicious pieces of eye candy right in front of her.
They took a seat at one of the tables, their eyes locking in on hers.
She walked over to them. She knew Michael was wealthy, and by the look of the other two men’s clothes and the Rolexes on their wrists, she bet they were, too. She handed all three of them menus. “What would you gentlemen like to drink?”
“You know me better than that, Danielle. I’m no gentleman,” Michael teased. “And I can assure you that neither are these two.”
The one with the dimpled chin and blue eyes spoke first. “I really don’t care what I have to drink if you’ll join us.”
“Thank you, gentlemen, but I’m working.”
“Danielle, be careful with these two. They bite.” Michael pointed to the one who had invited her to sit. “This is Lance Archer, and this is Charles Covington.”
I’m the one who bites. She held up her ticket pad in one hand and her pen in the other. “Now, what can I get for you?”
Charles had dark eyes and the cutest grin she’d ever seen. “I’ll take a glass of iced tea with lots of your sugar in it.”
Lance and Charles were barking up the wrong tree.
“Iced tea it is.” Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heels and headed to the drink station. She glanced back at their table and her eyes locked in to the hungry stares of Lance and Charles.
She shook her head. Just because they are rich, I guess they think they can have anything or anyone they want. I’ll show them a thing or two.
Bringing the three glasses of tea back to their table, she looked them straight in the eyes.
“Don’t we get our sugar, sweetheart? That’s what I ordered.” The one named Charles winked.
This is the last straw. Pretending to stumble, she tilted the tray with the glasses, sending them and their contents to the table. The tea splashed, covering Lance and Charles, with a few drops hitting Michael.
“I’m so sorry, gentlemen.” She was unable to hide her smile. “Let me get something to clean up this mess.”
Michael burst into laughter. “You don’t mess with Wilde women, guys. I warned you.”
Justin came up behind her. “Everything okay, Danielle?”
She giggled and nodded. “I’m fine.”
The looks on the faces of Lance and Charles were priceless. But their shock quickly turned to laughter, too.
Justin turned his attention to the two new arrivals. “And you gentlemen are?”
Michael slapped the table, lost to his hysterics. “The cavalry has arrived.” He turned to Lance and Charles. “I also told you how protective the men of Wilde are about the women around here. Now you’re in for it.” Another round of laughter from Michael sent her into a fit of giggles until tears were rolling down her cheeks.
Justin didn’t laugh.
“I guess we got what we deserved.” Charles stood and extended his hand to Justin. “I’m Charles Covington, sir. This is my friend and business partner, Lance Archer. We are friends of Michael.”
Justin shook hands with him. “I’m Justin Champion. Looks like Danielle has everything under control here. That is, if she can stop laughing.”
“I–I–I can’t breathe,” she said, trying to stifle her giggles.
Lance stood and walked next to her. “I guess we got started on the wrong foot.”
“Let me help you clean this up,” Charles told her.
“We’ll both help her, Chuck.”
“Chuck?” She grinned. “That’s the name of our cook. Perhaps you can handle the kitchen, too.”
“I’ve got it,” Michael said. “You two should talk to Carlotta about getting jobs at the diner. I’m sure you would make excellent waitresses. That way, you could spend time with Danielle. That’s probably the only way you’ll get to.” Once again, he burst into laughter.
“Shut up, Chamberlain. Tell him, Chuck.” Lance smiled. “This is ridiculous.”
“My name is Charles, not Chuck.” The brown-eyed hunk glared at his friend.
“I actually like the name Chuck,” she confessed.
“Then I’m Chuck from now on.” He grinned. “After we help you clean up the tea, may we stay and order something to eat, miss?”
“I think that will be just fine, but keep in mind, I’m even better with mashed potatoes.”
“Oh my God. That would be funny.” Michael howled. “I can see it now.”
She cracked up, delirious in the hilarity of the moment.
Justin joined in the fun and started to chuckle. The laughter was extremely contagious. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed so hard. It felt good.
“Come with me, you two. I’ll get you a towel to dry off with.”
They followed her as the door to the diner opened with the first miners who would want to eat their lunch.
“Are you the only waitress today?” Chuck asked.
“For a bit. The other girl went home sick, but the owner is headed this way to help me out.” She turned to the stream of customers coming in the door. “Sit anywhere you like. I’ll be with you in a moment.”
“Looks like you could use some help.” Lance had a playful charm that drew her in. “Let us hand out the menus and get the drinks set up.”
She gave him and Chuck each a dry towel. “That’s okay. I’ve got this.”
Chuck scanned the room. “Every table is full.” He grabbed her hand gently. “Let us help you out. It’s the least we can do. This is how we worked our way through college.”
Had they come from meager beginnings, too?
“You waited tables before?”
“Yes.” Chuck’s smile made her tingle. “And we also were bartenders.”
Michael had been born rich. She’d heard about his upbringing from Jessie Wilde, who had known him since they were children. Danielle had incorrectly thought that Lance and Chuck, being his friends, must have come from the same kind of family.
“Just give us the pad and pencils, Danielle.” Lance’s smile melted her heart. “We’ve got this under control.”
Her first impression had been wrong about him and Chuck. They weren’t spoiled trust-fund boys. “You have a deal, but only until Carlotta shows, okay? Then your lunch is on me.”
“Perfect.”
“Here, put these on.” She handed them aprons. “They will cover up the tea stains. I would suggest you put your watches in your pockets for safe keeping.”
“Pretty and smart. Quite the combo,” Lance said.
She smiled. “Don’t start that again.”
He held up both his hands in mock surrender. “You win.”
“Good. Now, let’s get these people fed.”
Lance and Chuck went to work. They hadn’t been lying about their experience. Norma’s was packed, but everyone was being taken care of. They even had the cook laughing. Lance started calling him Little Chuck, which seemed to suit him fine.
Halfway through the rush, Michael walked over to her. “Danielle, I’ve got to leave and meet with Austin. Looks like Lance and Chuck are enjoying themselves.”
It did to her, too.
“When you get finished, please tell them my driver will be waiting to take them to my place.”
Finished with them? She had sworn off men long ago.
“Sure thing, Michael. I’ll let them know where it is.”
For years, she’d been moving from place to place. Not the best situation, but one she had lived with in order to remain hidden from her family. Having to leave a place at a moment’s notice didn’t allow her to have attachments.
Danielle was so impressed by Lance and Chuck. They worked like fiends. But it didn’t matter. Once this shift was over, she would send them on their way. That would be the end of it. Had to be.
Carlotta ran in, arriving at the end of the rush. “Danielle, I’m so…Oh my God. How in da vorld did you handle da lunch run by yourself?” In her mid-sixties, the woman had more fire than most. Today, she wore a long red
skirt and a white top. Her black, wavy hair, obviously dyed, hung to her shoulders. She was a character, through and through. Carlotta had been so good to Danielle, giving her a job the first day of her arrival in town. “And how did you get every table cleaned? I’ve never seen da diner looking so nice. Did da customers no show?”
Danielle loved her Eastern European accent, though everyone in town had learned it was only an act. She actually spoke quite well whenever the love of her life was around, cowboy champion Deuce.
“I didn’t.” Carlotta was like a mother to Danielle, unlike her own biological mother had been. “I had help. Those two over there walked in, saw I was overwhelmed, and took up the slack.”
Lance and Chuck were sweeping and mopping the place.
“Dey did? Dey’re not from here.” Carlotta studied them for a moment, her eyes softening. “I’m so sorry, Danielle. I vas late. I had a flat tire. I had to call Deuce to help me.”
“That’s okay. As you can see, we handled it.”
“You and dese two fine-looking men did a vonderful job.” Carlotta looked at her with knowing eyes. Clearly, the woman could see the attraction she had for them. Maybe she is really psychic. “Danielle, how much did ve make?”
“I was about to run the hourly report,” she told her. “Let’s see.” When the figure showed up on the cash register’s screen, her jaw dropped. It was nearly twice the normal take.
“Dat is amazing. Da dree of you handled dat kind of volume by yourselves?”
“Us and the cook, Little Chuck.” Lance walked over to them. “You must be Carlotta.”
“Da vone and only,” her boss told him. “Carlotta Angelina Bianca Sollomovici.”
“That’s Big Chuck, ma’am, the one with the mop in his hand. His real name is Charles Covington. I’m Lance Archer.”
“I see. Dank you. I’m sure you two must be hungry.”
“Starving,” he said as Chuck walked up next to him.
“Den I must remedy dat. How vould you like a big juicy steak? It’s da least I can do for da help you gave sveet Danielle.”
