AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I’m a military brat, so my family never stayed in one place for long when I was growing up. And then, when I joined the racing circuit, I continued to travel.
This is the first time in my life that I feel as if I’m setting down roots, and I have to admit, I like it.
Huckleberry Bay feels like home.
Sunny, the long-time waitress at Gordy’s, greets me with a big smile when I walk into the place. “Hey there, handsome. Want a table or a seat at the counter?”
“Neither. I’m going to take it to go for Wolfe and me.”
“You betcha. You want your usuals?”
“He wants a double,” I reply with a nod. “Otherwise, yeah, the usual.”
I live in a place where the waitress knows what my usual is. It always surprises me. Every time.
“You got it. Go park your fine ass over at the counter, and I’ll bring it out to you when it’s ready.”
The older woman winks at me, and then, smacking her gum, heads off to put my order in.
Just as I take a seat to wait, I see Sarah, my good friend’s wife, carrying food to a table of customers. When she sees me, she grins and heads my way.
“What are you up to?” she asks.
“Grabbing lunch to go. I thought Tanner told me you don’t work here anymore.”
Sarah smiles and pushes a strand of blond hair off her cheek. “I fill in when they’re short-handed. Today was one of those days, so here I am. I don’t mind it, actually. Gets me out of my studio.”
Sarah’s a talented artist, and her paintings have taken off in popularity, selling for a pretty penny in Tanner’s gallery.
“I’m gonna have to go see what your husband has in stock at the gallery. I think it’s time to hang some art on my walls since I’ve been here for over a year now.”
“You don’t have anything on your walls?” She looks almost pained at the idea.
“I hate to break it to you, but it’s not really a priority for most guys.”
“Let me come over, take a look at the space, and I’ll paint something for you.”
I blink at her, surprised. “Sarah, you don’t have to paint me something custom. I’m happy to buy a piece you’ve already done.”
“You’re basically family, Zeke. Trust me, this will be better.”
I don’t know what I did in a past life to deserve this awesome group of friends, but I’m grateful for it.
“You’re welcome to come over after work if you want.”
“Oh, this is so exciting.” She grins, almost bouncing on her toes. “Yes, I want. I need a new challenging project. I’ll text you when I’m off here.”
“Great. Thanks, Sarah.”
“No, thank you. This is great.”
The bell in the kitchen rings, and she pats me on the shoulder.
“That’s my order. I’ll see you later.”
No sooner does she walk away than Sunny hurries over to me carrying a big bag of food.
“That looks like more than two burgers and fries.”
She grins. “I had them add a few things. You boys need the calories.”
Sunny is a mother hen. “Thanks, ma’am. Put it on our tab?”
“Already done. Have a good day.”
“You, too.”
On my way back to the garage, I notice that the air has cooled, and some clouds are rolling in from the ocean. Looks like we might get a storm.
* * * *
“Jesus Christ, I’m not going to eat for a month,” Wolfe groans as we stow our tools away, getting ready to lock up for the day. “Why did she send so much food?”
“We didn’t have to eat it all,” I remind him, also feeling stuffed to the brim.
“Yeah, well, we did. And I’m supposed to take Luna out to dinner tonight.”
“You’ll be a cheap date.” I grin at him as we take our coveralls off and hang them up. “Have fun with your wife. Sarah’s coming over to look at my condo so she can paint me something for it.”
He raises an eyebrow. “That’s pretty awesome.”
“I know. She offered when I saw her earlier, and I didn’t want to pass it up, you know?”
“Hell no, don’t pass that up. Tell her hi for me.”
“Will do. See you tomorrow.”
I wave and move to my car, fire up the engine, and head home. When I reach the complex, I’m sure to park perfectly in the lines so I don’t irritate Cherry. It’s been nice not having her constantly irritated with me over the past few days.
On my way up the stairs, I meet the woman herself, carrying a huge tote full of smaller boxes, obviously meant for the post office.
The bundle is so big she can’t see me, so I walk back down the stairs to get out of her way and wait.
“Why do I always think that I have to carry everything at once?” she mutters to herself. “It’s too damn heavy.”
