Page 7

I had responsibilities and people depending on me, so hiding wasn’t an option.

I pulled my phone from my back pocket and checked the time. I was late, but not too late. Not yet anyway.

Leaving River felt wrong, but there weren't many other options. Besides, I wasn’t going far. Less than a hundred feet. I’d just duck over to the diner, make sure Emmy and Ryan weren’t killing each other, or worse, my customers, and I’d be back before he even woke up.

I poked my head around the corner, finding him still fast asleep. I’d be ten minutes. Fifteen tops.

With hurried footsteps and the weight of mama guilt making my steps heavy, I crossed the yard and ducked through the side fence before sneaking in the back door, only to find Ryan dancing in front of the grill while Emmy sashayed her way between the tables.

“Busy morning?” I asked, grabbing a cloth and the cleaning spray.

The spatula in Ryan’s hand crashed to the floor as he spun around wide-eyed.

“Oh, fuck me!” he swore, pressing his hand against his chest. “Damn, Tillie, give a man some warning before you sneak up on him next time,” he pleaded as he picked up the spatula.

“Sorry,” I apologized. “But for the record, I loved the show. Was a little concerned you were going to start stripping, and I shouldn’t have to tell you, Ryan, about the dangers of bacon grease and hairy balls.”

He wiped his hands on a tea towel before flicking it at me. With a growl that was all bark and no bite, he replied, “You’ll keep! Where’s your sidekick this morning? I was thinking waffles and bacon,” Ryan suggested, looking behind me for River.

Being a single mom wasn’t easy, especially when your son was growing up way too fast and asking way too many questions.

Not every day, but a couple of times a week, River would come over, eat his breakfast in the kitchen, and talk to Ryan. Even though he pretended like he didn’t, I would’ve sworn Ryan looked forward to it as much as River did.

“He’s still in bed. Poor little guy’s been up all night sick,” I explained, my heart hurting for my baby all over again.

“Poor kid. And let me guess, you’ve been up all night too?”

I shrugged. He didn’t have anyone else. I was it. And I was going to be enough. Even if it killed me, I was going to make sure I was enough. “What choice did I have?” I replied rhetorically.

“What any good mom would’ve. Stayed up with him. Looked after him. And worried yourself exhausted.”

“Sounds about right,” I agreed, my whole body feeling the effects of a long night and not enough caffeine.

“Then why are you here? You know Emmy and I have got your back,” Ryan questioned.

“Truthfully? I was out of creamer and needed coffee,” I told him, only for him to burst out laughing. A loud, belly laugh.

“Now that I believe. Go grab a cup and get home to your boy,” he bossed, shooing me out of the kitchen.

I didn't have the energy to argue.

I stepped behind the counter. It was busy. Like crazy busy for a Tuesday. Everyone was smiling and sipping their coffee. Emmy was flitting from table to table, taking orders and topping up drinks. She was doing a fantastic job, but she couldn’t do it alone. She shouldn’t have to. This was my diner and my problem.

I pushed aside my own exhaustion, snagged a clean apron from beneath the counter, and started clearing tables.

I was just about done dropping my second load off in the kitchen when Emmy stopped me.

“What are you doing?” she asked, looking at me strangely.

“What’s it look like? Clearing.”

“Ryan said River was sick,” she told me, and behind her I saw Ryan duck conveniently into the cool room safely out of sight.

“Of course he did,” I muttered under my breath. “He had a rough night. He’s still asleep. I just ducked over …”

“Because you’re a control freak who couldn’t let go?” Emmy finished.

I wanted to argue, but how could I? She wasn’t exactly wrong.