Tuesday Tales: From the Word RED

I would like to wish all those who follow the Tuesday Tales posts Season’s Greetings. Things may not be back to normal, but if we persevere maybe we can make the best of it. Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales. Our prompt word is RED. I’m continuing with Royal Flush, my contemporary romance.

“Pearl, Randy needs a refill on his coffee. Can you take care of it while I go you-know?” Blair asked as she hurried past me on her way to the washroom. At six-months pregnant, it seemed she spent more time in there than on the floor.

“Yeah, sure,” I called to her retreating back. I turned back to my customer. “I’ll be right back. He gets cranky if he has to wait too long.”

Kyle glanced over at the table.

“I suppose the sheriff only has so long,” he agreed, noting the man’s uniform.

“Randy’s a deputy, but yeah. He doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

“Jealous boyfriend?” He cocked an eyebrow.

I rolled my eyes and laughed. Even if I’d been looking for male companionship, good old Randy wasn’t my type. “Hardly. He’s got a wife and four kids, but he does take his job seriously. Don’t be surprised if he stops and gives you the third degree—that is unless he knows you.”

“He may. It’s been a while, but I doubt I’ve changed all that much. You’d better get over there.”

My cheeks burned. No doubt I was beet red. The problem with having a fair complexion was that I blushed easily. Dying my hair brown and wearing brown contact lenses might’ve changed my appearance some, but it hadn’t stopped the blushing. If anything, the deep chocolate made me seem paler, requiring a heavier application of makeup just to avoid all the comments about the state of my health.

“Morning, Randy,” I said, refilling his cup. “Can I get you anything else?”

“Nope, this is fine for now. Who’s the guy chatting you up at the counter? That leather jacket isn’t one I’ve seen around town.”

I smiled. When I’d shown up in town a couple of months ago, he’d grilled me. Thank goodness I’d made sure to cross every T and dot every I in the ID and background I’d brought with me. If anyone discovered who I really was, they would be on the phone to my father in no time. He would drag me back to California fast enough to give me whiplash. I might be an adult in the eyes of the law, but as sole heir to Ripcord Avionics, the largest producer of avionics in the country, I was expected to tow the line and do as I was told.

That’s it. Stay safe and don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales