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I dialed his number.
FIFTEEN
My heart thunderedin my chest the second it took for the call to be connected. Only I got that “I’m sorry. Your call can’t be connected as dialed” message.
“Prick,” I muttered under my breath and got out of the car, vowing not to date again, ever.
Morning rush was over, so when I entered the diner, it wasn’t packed. A girl so young she made me feel old greeted me.
“Welcome to Smiley’s. You have your pick of seats.” She was about my size, though a little more rail thin. Her eyes were a little too sunken in for a girl her age.
I had expected Smiley would replace me, considering I’d been gone longer than I’d told him I’d be without a word. However, I was surprised at his choice of replacements. I knew better than to judge anyone on reputation, but this girl’s family was notorious. I suspected she was the youngest daughter of the Raven family.
“I’m here to see Smiley,” I said with a smile and walked toward the back.
As soon as I passed through the door that led to the kitchen, Smiley looked up and gave me his signature grin. “Haley! You’re back.” He came over and enveloped me in a hug. Smiley had become my unofficial second dad. Avery’s dad was the first. “I’m so glad you're safe, honey.”
“Me too. I see you hired the Raven girl.”
“She’s a good sort. Trying to change her life. She moved out and got a place…”
When he trailed off, I picked up on his thought. “I bet she moved into the trailer that came available.”
“Shit.” He ran a hand through his thinning hair. “No one had heard from you.”
I waved him off. “It’s fine. She probably needs it more than me.” Even if the trailer had been available, I wouldn’t have moved back. Zoe was happy in her new room and new school.
“I have your last check.”
“Yeah, sure.” With the check from Mitchell, I didn’t need the money from this job as much. When Smiley came back and offered it to me, I got an idea.
“So where will you be?” he asked.
I shrugged. “I’m not sure yet. But I’ll land on my feet. Thanks for everything you did for me.”
He hugged me again. “You were the best employee I had.”
Laughing, I said, “I bet you say that to all your girls.”
He grinned, and I had to wipe a tear from my eye. What was going on with me? Generally, I was better at keeping a hold of my emotions. When I walked up front, the Raven girl left the customer she’d been helping. The woman was the last customer in the place for now, but that would change soon.
“I’m Haley,” I said, holding out a hand to the Raven girl.
She shook it and said, “Amber.” She didn’t mention her last name, and neither did I.
When she looked reluctant to say more, I added, “I believe you moved into my old place.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re the missing woman.”
“Guilty,” I said, lifting my hands in surrender. “I’m found now.”
Suddenly, she appeared nervous. “Do you want your place back?”
Slowly, I shook my head, knowing what I was about to say was the absolute truth. “No. Not at all. It’s yours. And I may have some things I won’t need that I can give you.”
Her shoulders stiffened, and I recognized the posture. Pride. I’d had a lot of it too when I was her age.
“You don’t have to take it. There are some clothes and household stuff I don’t need. I’ll just give them to Goodwill.”
