Sweet Dreams (Colorado Mountain #2)(11)

“Thanks,” I said to Betty.

“Uppin’ the class at Bubba’s, you are,” Betty smiled at me.

I’d told her yesterday when I chatted with her before walking to the bar that I was working at Bubba’s.

Thinking on it, her comment wasn’t exactly welcome albeit kind.

Thankfully, Tate had left before I got back from the storeroom on day one and hadn’t been around day two. But Krystal, who had been my bartender both days, hadn’t thawed (not even a little). Having briefly met both Tonia and Jonelle, I noted they were worse than Krystal on the Frosty Front.

The only people I figured liked me were Jim-Billy, Nadine (another regular who showed around four each day so far) and Dalton who showed at five thirty both days.

Dalton was very good-looking too, longish, dirty blonde hair that nearly hit his shoulders; lean body but without the bulk and power of Tate’s; just a couple of inches taller than me unlike Tate who had to be four or five inches taller than me and I was five foot nine; and Dalton wore jeans like they were invented solely for him and thus he needed to be consulted by all and sundry for his approval before they could don a pair. Last, Dalton had an easy smile that he flashed a lot and I could tell straight away it was genuine.

Even with the half and half mix of those who might like Lauren and those who didn’t, I didn’t think me wearing a blouse that cost more than two pairs of Levi’s was going to be jotted in the good column during my job evaluation. Then again, I didn’t have many t-shirts and I figured Krystal’s Harley tanks, being authentic Harley Davidson gear, weren’t exactly cheap.

“I should probably go to the mall. Get some stuff to fit in with everyone else,” I suggested to Betty.

She stopped the spray on the hose and yanked it down to the pot in front of room fourteen with me following all while advising, “Hon, you look sweet. Be yourself. Only thing you can be.”

I filed that away but still figured I should up my t-shirt inventory even though Tonia and Jonelle didn’t wear t-shirts. When I met Tonia, she was wearing a tan piece of soft, triangular suede covering her br**sts held in place with nothing but a thin strap around her back and another one wrapped around her neck. Jonelle was in a sparkly, purple tube top. No way was I going to ever be able to wear a backless, suede halter top or a tube top. Never.

If I wanted to fit in, t-shirts were my only way to go.

“Maybe you’re right,” I said to Betty while she sprayed her barrel. “Gotta go get coffee and breakfast.”

Betty nodded and looked at me. “You ever wanna come over for breakfast, you just come on over and ring. Ned’s usually still asleep when I open at seven but I always get me a good breakfast in, the whole shebang. Eggs, bacon, toast or pancakes and sausage. Gotta set yourself up for the day right. Even if you ain’t a big eater in the mornin’, we always got a good pot o’ joe on and you’re always welcome to a mug.”

I had to admit, waiting until ten thirty to get my first hit of caffeine wasn’t working for me. I’d intended to ask Betty or Ned if I could put an electric kettle in my room but hadn’t had the chance. The first night after work I’d been dog tired. I wasn’t run off my feet until the end of the night when it got busy but I was still recovering from my swim. I’d just gone to the hotel room and crashed. Didn’t even get any dinner. The second night after work I’d walked straight to the diner and had a burger, got my second wind and went to the hotel and had a swim. Then I’d crashed.

“Do you mind if I buy an electric kettle for my room?” I asked. “It might take me awhile to get myself a place and –”

I stopped talking because she stopped the spray on the hose and turned to me.

“Sure thing, Lauren, that’s a great idea. And we got one ‘a those little, mini fridges. We ain’t usin’ it. I’ll get Ned to put it in your room. You’re gonna be around awhile you’ll need somewhere to store your milk.”

“That’s very kind of you, but –”

She talked over me. “In fact, I’ll get Ned to go out today and get you a kettle. You’re on your feet all day, you don’t need to be runnin’ errands at night.”

“I really couldn’t –”

“Maybe we’ll get two or three. Offer ‘em to customers with some of those little packets of instant. Rent ‘em out. Nice little extra.” She tipped her head to the side. “How you take your coffee?”

“Milk and sugar,” I answered. “But, Betty –”

“I’ll get Ned to pick some ‘a that up too.”

“Betty –”

She waved me quiet. “I like this idea. Kettles. Little mugs. Prolly could rent ‘em out for five dollars a go. Could put that in the brochure. An extra amenity. I’ll get Ned to make a sign for reception.” She wandered to the side of the hotel, preparing to roll the hose where there was a holder. “Thanks, hon. Always lookin’ for ways to improve service.”

Weirdly, Betty thought her and Ned doing me a favor was me doing her one.

Yes, you could say I liked Betty.

“I’ll give you my five dollars when I get back,” I told her.

“You. Gratis seein’ as you’re a long timer.” She looked up from rolling the hose and grinned big at me. “And you like our pool.”