Only This Tuesday: A Copper Mills Novella
By Melissa Keir
()
About this ebook
Only This Tuesday…
Tuesday Benson sets out to escape her past. A thieving boyfriend. A bankrupt restaurant. Memories of her brother. She's started over in Copper Mills with a taco truck more popular than most of the local eateries. But when Tuesday hires a local boy to help, will she stir up something more than a tasty treat?
Mayor Blake Rodgers enjoys the simple things in life. An early morning jog. Down-home cooking. The camaraderie of the small-town residents. With his help, Copper Mills has become a trendy tourist destination. But when Blake falls for the controversial food-truck owner, will he lose the town's backing?
Toss in bigotry and gossip as well as the mayor's former fiancée, and you have a recipe for disaster.
Come Visit Copper Mills, Arizona—a small town with a heart as big as the wide-open spaces and a long history of making dreams come true.
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Only This Tuesday - Melissa Keir
Only This Tuesday
Melissa Keir
THE CHARACTERS AND events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, places, or events is coincidental and not intended by the author.
If you purchase this book without a cover you should be aware that this book may have been stolen property and reported as unsold and destroyed
to the publisher. In such case the author has not received any payment for this stripped book.
ONLY THIS TUESDAY
Copyright © 2018 Melissa Keir
All rights reserved.
5764 Woodbine Ave.
Pinckney, MI 48169
Edited By Kate Richards
Cover art By Lisa Huffman
THIS BOOK, OR PARTS thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission. The copying, scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions, and do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.
Only This Tuesday...
Tuesday Benson sets out to escape her past. A thieving boyfriend. A bankrupt restaurant. Memories of her brother. She’s started over in Copper Mills with a taco truck more popular than most of the local eateries. But when Tuesday hires a local boy to help, will she stir up something more than a tasty treat?
Mayor Blake Rodgers enjoys the simple things in life. An early morning jog. Down-home cooking. The comradery of the small-town residents. With his help, Copper Mills has become a trendy tourist destination. But when Blake falls for the controversial food-truck owner, will he lose the town’s backing?
Toss in bigotry and gossip as well as the mayor’s former fiancée, and you have a recipe for disaster.
Come Visit Copper Mills, Arizona—a small town with a heart as big as the wide-open spaces and a long history of making dreams come true.
Other Books by Melissa Keir
Wilder Sisters Series:
Forever Love
Beach Desires
A Christmas Accident
Coming Home
Holiday Homecoming
Home is Where the Heart is (combine print of the Wilder Sisters’ Books)
Charming Chances:
Charming Chances (print of combined ebooks)
Second Time’s a Charm
Three’s a Crowd
Pigg Detective Agency:
Protecting His Wolfe
Protecting Her Pigg
Protecting His Red
Tempting Danger Set (Coming Soon)
Magical Matchmaker
Chalkboard Romance
One Night in Laguna
One Night Behind Bars
The Cowboys of Whisper, Colorado
The Heartsong Cowboy
The Heartbroken Cowboy
Claiming a Cowboy’s Heart
A Pigskin Cowboy
Broken Dreams
Broken Vows
Redeeming Dreams
Bidding for the Cowboy’s Heart
The House that Built Me
My Secret Mate
Crash and Burn
Redeeming Love
Musings of a Madcap Mind (memoirs)
DEDICATION
To all the people who strive to make our world a better place for children and adults with disabilities.
To my amazing readers who make my job so much fun....
and to my husband—you give me the world. <3
CHAPTER oNE
ANY SPECIALS TODAY?
Tuesday Benson stuck her head out of the order window on her food truck. Hi, Gil. We have a taco-salad lunch special today. Are you interested?
she asked the shy teenager whose lopsided smile and daily visits made her happy.
Gil pulled two dollars and some change from his pocket and held it out. Is this how much it costs?
Tuesday shook her head then reached over and picked up two dimes from his hand. This is the exact amount. Hold on, and I’ll have your food right out.
After Gil sat down in a chair at the small table she’d put out for customers, she ducked back into the truck to assemble the salad. Once the order was complete, she placed it and a soft drink on a tray, along with utensils and napkins then poured some ice water for herself. Tuesday opened the door and slowly stepped down the two steps to the blacktop, balancing them carefully.
The beautiful late-afternoon sunshine was tempered by a soft breeze that blew an errant curl that had escaped her ponytail around her face. Unable to free a hand to push it out of her eyes, she strode carefully toward Gil. The young man had been coming around every afternoon for food but never had much money. She didn’t charge him full price and often wondered about him. Unable to meet her gaze, he sometimes spouted random information about food, the weather, or the meaning of words. In addition to facial paralysis, Gil had a habit of repeating certain actions. For example, he would touch each chair at the table before sitting down, and he tapped his fingers on his leg in time with his chewing as he ate.
Tuesday placed the food in front of her companion then took the seat opposite him. Do you mind if I join you and enjoy my water? I’ve not had a chance to sit down since the lunch rush.
Gil rearranged the food, placing each item in a certain spot then tapped the tray five times and dug in. With his mouth full of food, he glanced at her and nodded.
Tuesday took a sip of water and motioned toward the soda. Your lunch came with a drink. I brought you a soda, but if you’d rather have something else, just let me know.
But Gil continued to eat. One bite, tap on his leg then another bite and more tapping.
Tuesday enjoyed seeing people devour her food. She’d owned a restaurant in Michigan, but when the economic boom dried up and Detroit became little more than a ghost town, she was forced to declare bankruptcy and moved west. After two years of traveling from place to place and working in bars and restaurants, for cash under the table at times, she was glad to finally have her own place again—Tuesday’s Tacos, a food truck.
When all of the taco salad was finished, Gil lifted the soda to his lips and took a sip. Thank you. This is fine. I like cherry soda, but cola is good, too.
Tuesday nodded. I’ll remember that and see if I can get some cherry soda just for you. Do you know you’re my best customer?
Really?
He piled the empty paper bowl, plastic fork, and napkin in front of him.
You’re here every day. Do you work or go to school?
She glanced at him over the top of her water bottle and tried to act nonchalant.
I’m in a special class at Yuma.
Gil stared down at the table. I’m a good student, and we learn a lot. I stop here after school before going home.
What about home?
she probed.
I live in a special house for guys. My guardians make sure I eat and do my chores. My friends are there.
Gil’s grin lit up his face when he mentioned his friends, but his talk of chores reminded her of something she’d done back in Detroit.
Gil, do you want a job? Work with me here?
She held her breath. Getting him on board was only the first step, but if he wanted to help out after school, she could be sure he was eating and help him learn a trade...maybe one that would allow him to take care of himself in the future.
The young man stood up abruptly, knocking his chair to the ground. Are you serious?
He leaped onto Tuesday’s arms. Work here?
Gil waved his hands in the air as if trying to fly.
Moisture pooled in her eyes. She’d never seen him so animated. We’d have to get your school’s okay and permission from your guardian.
Gil tilted his head as if he didn’t understand the red tape. But I can cook?
Tuesday nodded. One step at a time, buddy. First, let me close up the truck, and I’ll drive you home and talk to your guardian, or at the least get some information.
Tuesday started toward the truck then nodded at the table. Clean up and meet me inside. I’ll give you a ride.
The boy’s delight had her wanting to clap as well. Things were finally looking up.
JUDITH ADJUSTED THE mayor’s tie. There. It was crooked.
She tucked his pocket square in