Leaving the food bank at the First Baptist Church just before noon, Lina carried two brown paper bags full of groceries back to the Bronco. Two blocks away, the truck sat parked in the gravel lot beside the Burger Barn; Luke refused to park in the church lot out of fear the townsfolk would believe it was the Tollmans needing assistance.
How stupid is that? He’s passing up free stuff.
Reaching the side of the truck, Lina pulled the passenger door open and the smell of a cheeseburger and fries wafted out of the cab. Her stomach grumbled as she climbed inside and placed the sacks on the floorboard between her feet. Leaning back in the driver’s seat, Luke was halfway through devouring a thick, juicy burger. Out of the corner of her eye, she stared at the tray of greasy fries on the seat between them, really longing for a mouthful of the hot savory beef, cheddar cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, Thousand Island dressing, and…. When was the last time I had a burger from the Burger Barn?
Her eyes pleaded with him and he frowned before sliding the tray closer to her with a grunt.
“Just don’t eat ‘em all.”
Grabbing a handful, she greedily began filling her mouth. He then broke off a corner of his burger and tossed it onto the fries. She looked at him with glee while he glanced over his right shoulder to back out of the parking lot onto Sauk Valley Road. Lina noticed a scrape with a dark bruise on the underside of his chin.
“What happened?” she asked around a mouthful of cheeseburger. “That scrape could use some care. Want me to fix it up for ya?” She ducked her head to get a better look.
“Hell no.” He pulled his chin away and a mischievous glint entered his eyes. “It’s my trophy, since there ain’t room on my bedpost for another notch.”
She frowned. “What, you fall out of bed again?”
“Hardly. Me and Mrs. Renshaw hit it off the other day. Turns out she likes it rough like your mama does.” Grinning, he proudly raised his chin for her to see.
“Liar,” she said, feeling the blood rush to her cheeks.
“Caught that on the headboard when the feisty lady got to bucking.”
“I don’t believe you,” Lina said. Can it be true?
She felt the hamburger and fries rising at the back of her throat. Is that who was in the gold Buick the other day? Was she meeting Luke at our place? Lina’s vision darkened with jealousy. First the Renshaws take our home, now that woman’s trying to take my man.
Luke best be lying or that tramp is gonna pay…