Chasing Tara (Bryant Station Curves) Read Free Page B

air.
    Her bear yawned. It is more fun to let them figure out the problem. Her bear curled up and promptly went to sleep.
    Lisa shook her head. Obviously, her bear did not think anything was wrong. “Tara, are you okay?”
    Tara shook her head. “I’m just cold and tired. Are you ready?” She plastered a grin on her face. Tara mentally shook her head. She sounded like she was on a family outing rather than finding a mechanic, getting her car fixed, and getting back on the road.
    Ben stepped closer to Tara and put his hand on her shoulder. “Everything will be okay. It really will.” Ben removed his hand from Tara’s shoulder and wrapped his arm around Haley who started wiggling and making noises. Ben bounced her. “ Shh! It’s okay. I’ll get you something,” he whispered to the child.
    “Is she okay? What does she want?” Tara moved to take Haley from Ben.
    “She’s just hungry,” said Ben. “I’ll take care of her when we get into the diner.” He started walking across the street, leaving Tara staring with her mouth open.
    “Don’t worry about Haley. Ben’s good with kids.” Lisa smiled at Tara. “Let’s go get something to eat too.”
    “But—”
    “It’ll be my treat, my way of welcoming you to Bryant Station.”
    Tara closed her mouth and nodded her head. Her brain flipped through everything she had seen since Lisa and Ben picked her up on the side of the road. Lisa had sniffed the air several times, and Ben was in a protective mode. Tara thought about her mom and step-dads. He and his family acted the same way as Lisa and Ben. Was it possible Lisa and Ben were shifters too?
    “Are you coming?” Lisa turned back when she realized Tara wasn’t behind her.
    “I’m coming.” Tara tucked away her suspicions as she followed Lisa across the street to the diner.
    Warm air, followed by voices, laughter, and music, rushed out of the building when Lisa opened the door. “Friday nights are kind of crazy, more so with it being a home game, but they’re all good people. A few months ago, I was the new girl in town, but for the most part I was welcomed.”
    Tara raised an eyebrow. “For the most part?”
    Lisa shrugged. “I had a couple of the ladies not too happy about me attracting the attention of one of the town’s good looking bachelors.”
    “I take it everything worked out for you and the bachelor.”
    “It did. Come on in. Looks like Ben has already snagged a table in the back.”
    The minute she stepped into the room, Tara felt all eyes suddenly look at her. She tried not to laugh, but the whole situation was funny. Everyone was sizing her up, but she planned staying just long enough to get the car fixed and then she was gone. Tara followed Lisa as she wove her way through the tables and people. The place was definitely packed.
    The table Ben picked was next to the far wall. Tara slipped off her coat and sat down in the chair with her back to the wall so she could scan the room and watch the front door. She looked around, making note of possible exits.
    “Hey guys. Who’s this little cutie?” asked the waitress as she handed everyone menus.
    “Hey, Joy. This is Haley. She’s Tara’s daughter,” said Lisa. “Tara, this is Joy Anderson. She owns the diner and is the best baker in Texas.”
    Joy rolled her eyes. “I just let you think that.” She held out her hand to Tara. “It’s nice to meet you. What brings you to Bryant Station?”
    “Tara Wilson.” Tara shook Joy’s hand. “Actually my car broke down about a mile out of town. I need to find a mechanic who can tow it in and fix it. If you could point me to the nearest payphone and a phone book, I would appreciate it.” Tara felt like a huge cow, compared to the red head standing next to her. Joy was not skinny, but she was not fat either, at least nothing like Tara’s size eighteen frame. She wished she had kept on her coat. Tara pressed her lips together. Why was she worried about what she looked like?
    “Don’t