Five hours later, I wiped down the tables after Susie’s last customer left. They tipped me forty-seven cents on two burgers, fries, and shakes. The coins tinkled together in the depths of my apron. Today was a bummer of a day. It had been swamped with the poor tippers and I wasn’t the only one with a light apron. I stacked the plates and half-empty cups on my tray when the bell over the door rang.
“Sorry, we’re closed for the day.”
Whoever entered didn’t answer me. Cowboy boots clopped over the tiled floor and a stool at the bar pulled out.
Sighing, I said over my shoulder, “the grill is off. We’re closed.”
My feet hurt, my back ached, and my head pounded. I didn’t need to deal with someone who wouldn’t listen to reason. Turning around, my eyes narrowed when they fell on Kurt, sitting
