Part 5 (2/2)
”So, what kind of work do you do?”
”I'm a nurse. Right now I'm in between jobs.”
He took a swig of his Budweiser.
”So, you like taking care of folks.”
She took care of them, all right. But they were sometimes in worse health after she took care of them. Sometimes dead. ”You could say that.”
”A man must lovebeing married to a nurse.”
”I wouldn't know. Never asked. Never been married.”
”Well, that's surprising. Especially considering how beautiful you are.”
Normally, that line would have made Carnie want to stab the guy in the heart. But Jake actually sounded sincere. ”Hey, you want to get out of here?”
”Uh...sure. Wanna go for a ride in my truck?”
”Yeah. Let's go.”
Jake took a dark narrow road and drove for a couple of miles. Carnie didn't recognize the Country singer on the radio. But then, she hated Country music.
He turned onto a dirt trail that led to nowhere, parked and turned off the lights. They could see each other in the moonlight.
”I'd just love to hold you in my arms,” he said.
Really? Is that all you want to do? she thought.
He slid over, put his arm around her and started kissing her.
He's a good kisser, she thought. But she pushed him away.
”What's the matter? I thought you wanted to make out?”
”Well, maybe I do and maybe I don't. I'll let you know.” Her hand was already in her skirt pocket. And itwas in her hand. Just the flick of her thumb would pop up the razor blade-ready to perform the deadly deed.
He backed away a little, and said, ”Okay, whatever you want, Honey.”
He had done it again. He had called her 'Honey.' But this time she didn't mind.
”You wanna go back to the bar for a game of pool?” he said.
”And a couple more beers?”
”Sure. Let's go.”
He started the truck.
Carnie liked this dumb cowboy. He was cute, and would take orders. He might just come in handy, she thought.
No need to kill him tonight.
Chapter7.
Monday mornings always went by fast for Greg Tenorly. It was his only weekday morning off from his part-time job as music minister at First Baptist Church, Coreyville. Afternoons and three evenings were spent teaching private music lessons at his little studio in a strip mall near town square.
Wednesday night he had church choir rehearsal and Friday nights he was off. n.o.body wanted to take music lessons on Friday nights. And now that he and Cynthia were dating, he was glad to have the night available.
His first lesson on Monday was at 1:30 PM, so he had plenty of time for an easygoing lunch at Jane's Diner, which was just a few yards down the sidewalk from his studio. He ordered the Chicken Fried Steak Special.
While waiting for his food, he surveyed the lunch crowd. Same old faces. Coreyville didn't get many tourists. His cell rang. It was Cynthia.
”Hi, Honey. What are you doing-eating lunch at Jane's?”
”Am I thatpredictable?”
”Yes, you are. But it's one of the things I like about you.”
”I'm glad you think it's a plus.”
”Well, I'm sure your lunch will be tastier than mine. I'm eating a sandwich at my desk. I'll be leaving a little early so I can get over to Mom's to help her pack.”
”Good. I'll get there as soon as I can. I should be done by 7:00 tonight.”
”Sounds good. I'll see you there. Have a good afternoon.”
”You too. Bye, Sweetie.”
Jane brought Greg his food. He ate at her restaurant nearly every day.
”Looks delicious, Jane.”
”Thanks. Enjoy. By the way, how's it going with your banker girlfriend?”
”Great. But you can quit calling her my banker girlfriend. Yeah, she's a bank vice president. Get over it.”
Jane laughed. ”I'm sorry, Greg. But I just never thought of you as the kind of guy who would be dating a banker.”
”Me either, I guess. And I'm amazed every day when I get up in the morning and look in the mirror. How could a beautiful woman like Cynthia go for a guy like me?”
”I shouldn't say it, because it's just gonna make your head swell, but you're a great catch, Greg.”
<script>