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He had just finished cleaning the deep fryer when he saw her out of the corner of his eye. She startled him, he hadn't heard anybody drive up, yet there she stood. She was holding the menu in her hand reading it. He wiped his hands on his apron and walked over to the counter to tell her he was closed. She brought her gaze up and looked at him, he caught his breath. She had the most amazing blue eyes he'd ever seen.
Slowly a smile came across her face, "Can I get a hamburger and a coke?"
Realizing he was holding his breath he exhaled, then grinned, why not, he thought, the grill was still hot. It was late and quiet frankly he had nothing else to do. Staying a few more minutes to make a hamburger for a pretty girl with blue eyes wasn't going to hurt. He reached for a soda cup and filled it with ice. He glanced at her, she was straightening the laminated menus into a neat little pile. A breeze blew a strand of hair across her face, she grabbed it and tucked it behind her ear. He filled the cup with coke, snapped the lid on, pushed a straw in, and handed it to her.
"Mustard or mayo?" He asked.
"Mustard, no onions or pickles...please." she said, their fingers briefly touching as she took the drink from him.
"Have a seat. I'll bring it to you."
She smiled at him, and went to sit at one of the picnic tables, sipping at her drink.
He noticed lightening flashes off in the distance. A storm was brewing in the west over the mountains; it was that time of year for them to start forming. He turned to the grill, wondering where she had come from. He hadn't heard a car drive up, so he figured that she must have walked. The hamburger stand sat at the top of a small hill, at the bottom was a tiny seven room motel, and beyond that the town.
There wasn't much in this area, it was off the beaten path, the interstate was fifty miles away. It was a small town with one traffic light; that flashed yellow all the time. A volunteer fire station, a bank, a nondenominational church and a little diner on the other end of town that catered to breakfast and lunch. The area had farms all around, in which various crops were grown. Life here was very simple, uncomplicated, just the way he liked it.
He brought the hamburger out to the woman. She had shoulder length light blonde hair, it almost looked white under the harsh glare of the unforgiving fluorescents lights. She wore a demin jacket with fringe on the sleeves and across the back, faded well worn blue jeans, and sneakers. She had a far away look in her eyes, staring off watching the approaching storm. She looked up at him as he sat the hamburger down in front of her and gave him that smile again.
"How much do I owe you?" She asked, leaning back, her hand reaching down into the front pocket of her jeans.
"It's on the house." He waved his hand at her, "I've already closed out the register."
"Ohh, I'm sorry," She said looking at the counter, "I had no idea it was so late, I'm really sorry," She smiled apologetically. "I just saw the lights on and realized I was hungry. I'll be on my way." She picked up the hamburger and soda and started to rise. "Thank you." She said holding up the food.
He reached out and touched her shoulder. "No, its alright, there's no hurry. I've got some things to do before I can leave. Sit down and eat." He told her, turning to leave, but hesitating, "Can I get you anything else before I shut her completely down?"
"No thank you, this will be fine." She sat back down.
He went back to the clean the grill. She wasn't from around here, he knew that. He hadn't been here long, but he pretty much knew everybody. He would have remembered her for sure if she was from around here. Was she staying at the motel? Maybe she was visiting somebody. He wiped down the counter and glanced at her. She can't be much older than him, he thought. She had a youthful look, yet she looked more mature than your basic college student. He watched as she brought the hamburger to her mouth and took a bite.
She had long slender fingers. Her nails were natural, not done up and painted. She didn't wear any jewelry. If she had makeup on he couldn't tell, she looked very natural...fresh. He watched her as her tongue came out and licked a spot of mustard in the corner of her mouth. The movement was slow, sensual and hypnotizing. He shook his head, to clear the imagine. Snap out if, he thought, its been a long day, and here you are staring at her like you've never seen a woman before.
He took his apron off, rolling it up and throwing it under the counter. He ran his hand through his hair, boy, he needed a haircut. He closed the order/pickup window and locked it, checking to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything, then stepped out of the little shack and locked the door.
He turned back around and looked at her. There was something about her, some kind of ethereal beauty. She was watching the storm, her eyes were shiny, reflecting each flash of light. Maybe it was the way she ate, slowly, taking her time. The storm was growing, flashes of lightening lit up the sky on the horizon, low rumbles of thunder could be heard. The wind picked up a bit more, he could smell the rain in the air.
"Would you like some company?" He asked, coming nearer.
She looked up at him, glanced down at the bench, then back up to him.
"Sure" she said, scooting over so he could sit.
He sat down next to her, leaning his back against the table, stretching his long legs out in front of him. He rubbed his hands on this thighs then laid them in his lap. It had been a long day, it felt good to sit down. He took a deep breath and glanced at her, was that lavender he smelled? He wasn't sure, it was a nice flower smell whatever it was.
"Looks like we might get some rain." He said, nodding his head in the direction of the storm.
"Yes, it does appear to be moving this way." She wiped her mouth with a napkin. She picked up her drink, and took a sip. He watched as her lips went around the straw and saw the liquid being pulled up into her mouth. Lucky straw, he thought, wonder what it would be like to kiss her.
Surprised at that thought, he studied her. She had soft creamy skin, and long light golden lashes, a long slim nose and soft full lips. Pale pink rose colored lips. She reminded him of fairy drawings from his childhood, or of the art inspired beauties that were some times on erotic posters riding on the back of unicorns. He smirked, easily picturing her riding horseback naked.
"So what brings you to this lovely little valley?" He asked. "Did you take the wrong exit, or are you visiting someone?"
She looked at him, her mouth pausing over the straw, "Just passing through." She took another sip. The wind blew her hair into her face. She tucked it behind her ear.
"So, hmm...did you walk up from the motel?"
"Motel?" She looks down the road, "No. I didn't know there was one."
"Oh yea, there's one." He looks around, "Where's your car? I don't see it."
"That's because I don't have one."
"Oh!" That surprised him, everybody had a car of some sort out here. "So, you're walking? You're a long way from nowhere to be walking." He stretched his arm out, to show the vastness of the area. "Don't tell me you're alone."
"Okay, I won't tell you." She grinned at him.
He shook his head, "Isn't that kinda of dangerous, especially this late at night. For God's sake, you do know how dangerous that is, don't you?" He couldn't believe that she was just out walking in the middle of the night all alone, and she didn't seem the least bit concerned.
"I manage."
