That done, she tried to drink more coffee, but it was all gone. Che cavolo! She’d barely gotten a chance to appreciate it.

Outside, she headed toward her car and noticed a couple of men in the next block painting the outside of the pharmacy. Painting…like handymen might do.

She strolled that way.

The men were probably in their thirties. The brown-haired one was short and incredibly muscular. The other was tall and lanky with a bushy red beard and drooping mustache.

She caught an interested glance from the red-haired guy and smiled. “Hi. I love that color of teal blue.”

“Yeah, it’s pretty, isn’t it?” He tilted his head. “You’re the new server at Bull’s place, right?”

Such a small town. “That’s right. Um, would you guys happen to be Knox and Chevy?”

He brightened. “Good guess. I’m Knox.”

“Chevy, here.” The shorter man set his brush down. “Were you needing work done?”

“Oh. No. Actually, I have a favor to ask.” This felt so strange. “I know Bull parks his truck at your place so he can use the trail there. Could I do the same now and then? I saw a couple of birds—and bats—I wanted to photograph.”

It was the best excuse she could come up with on short notice.

“Huh.” Knox looked disappointed that she hadn’t come over to flirt or something. Then he shrugged. “Bats, huh. That’s different, but sure, not a problem. Did you see where the bull parks?”

“Mmmhmm. I did.”

“Use that spot,” Chevy said, his voice a deep bullfrog sound. “It’s out of the way. Watch out for kids and dogs.”

“I will. Thank you.” Turning, she headed back to her car.

“Hey, New York!”

Recognizing the tenor, Frankie turned in a circle. No Felix.

“Up here.”

Frankie spotted her fellow bar server standing in an upstairs window over the hardware store. “Good morning.” She frowned. Felix looked positively disheveled, hair standing up, a beard shadow. “Rough night?”

His laugh was more grumpy than amused. “Rough two days. On Monday, a friend and I flew up to Godwin Glacier to help set up the dog sledding camp. I twisted my ankle on the ice.”

“Oh, that sucks.”

“Yeah, pretty much.” He grimaced as he moved away from the window.

He was hurting.

And…hadn’t he mentioned he loved working at the roadhouse because he hated to cook. It didn’t even bother him that his rental had only a tiny microwave and mini fridge.

A mini fridge. This was Wednesday. Did he even have food left at home?

A minute later, in the coffee shop, the man behind the counter smiled. “Back again? Did your caffeine wear off already?”

She laughed. “I can always use more. Do you know Felix?” When the man nodded, she added, “What does he usually order—for his drink and pastry?”

“A latte and whatever the scone of the day is.”