Page 76 of Target Acquired
“Ugh!” She spun from the mirror and marched out of her bedroom and down the hall to find Cole still on the couch in the den, head back against the cushion, eyes closed. She paused while the breath whooshed from her lungs and she simply watched him. And for one magical moment, she let the past and all of her suppressed feelings wash over her. Then she grabbed them and stuffed them back into the little emotional box labeled “Cole—Do Not Open” and cleared her throat.
He blinked, then rubbed his face. “Sorry, it’s been a while since I’ve had a good night’s sleep.”
“It’s okay. Glad my couch is comfortable enough for a catnap.”
He rose. “It was, and now I feel good as new.”
“You find Butler?”
“Yep. He’s at Freedom Franks and Burgers.”
“Oh, I love that place. I haven’t eaten yet. I want a freedom frank.”
“For breakfast?”
She looked at her phone. “For an early lunch.” She waved to the door. “After you. I’ll arm the system.”
COLE HEARD KENZIE’S PHONE ping just as they turned into the parking lot of the restaurant. He chose a spot at the back when he spotted Butler’s truck near the entrance. “I’m going to slip in through the kitchen and see if I can spot him in the dining room without him seeing me,” he told Kenzie. “Want to try and do the same from the front?”
“Yep.” She started for the door.
“Hey, Kenz?”
She turned, eyebrows raised. “Yes?”
“Keep your phone handy, I might need to text you.”
“It’s always handy.” But she patted it in her back pocket, checking to make sure it was there, and he smirked before heading to the back entrance.
He’d been in the restaurant numerous times and was even on a first-name basis with the owner. The team often came here to unwind after a stressful day. Or even a not-so-stressful one. So it wasn’t surprising that Butler would choose this restaurant to meet someone for a meal.
Cole slipped into the kitchen and found Mrs. Polly at the stove like always. She turned, sweat beading on her smooth dark forehead. “Cole?”
“Hey. Sorry. Just taking a little shortcut. I need to look into the dining room and check on something without that something seeing me.”
She frowned and placed her hands on her slender hips. “Okay. Go on.” He never failed to wonder how someone could own a restaurant and cook like her and still weigh a hundred and thirty at a max.
He walked to the door that would take him from the kitchen into the dining area. A waitress balancing a tray filled with steaming burgers, fried chicken, and the famous freedom hot dogs swept past him. The aromas lingered behind her, and his stomach growled.
Once she was through, he caught the door before it could swing shut and peered out into the room. The tables were full, with customers in the waiting area just inside the front door. Butler sat in the second booth to the left of the hostess station. Opposite him was another man, but his back was to Cole. He texted Kenzie.
You see them? You recognize the guy he’s with?
Three little dots appeared.
No, and I can’t move without him seeing me.
All right, how about that early lunch?
What? You’re serious?
We’re here all the time. You go on in and grab a table. I’ll head back and make an entrance in the front door to meet you.
Um . . . okay. So we’re just having lunch and we just happen to run into Butler and his buddy. Do I have that right?
You’re brilliant.
Okie doke, heading in.