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“Hey, Grace? I wanted to ask…” God, how did I go about asking for a favor, like being paid in cash? I didn’t even know if she’d hire me at all. What a mess. “You know what? It’s nothing. The food was great. What do I owe?”
She paused in her rolling before continuing. I was starting to really hate the pity that I saw come into her eyes when she looked at me sometimes. Grace shook her head. “If my boy weren’t the gentleman I raised him to be, I’d kick his ass myself.” She gave me a wink, and I wanted to smile despite my irritation.
“That really wasn’t necessary,” I huffed. “Well, I appreciate the food, even if I didn’t pay for it myself. Have a great day, Grace.” I turned to leave, but stopped when she called my name softly. When I looked back, she was biting her lip. It was the first time I had seen her look unsure of herself. I barely knew the woman, but I got the impression she was one of the most self-assured women I’d ever met.
“I know you just got into town, and working is probably the last thing on your mind, but I find myself in need of more waitstaff. I’m sure you noticed how busy it was today?” At my hesitant nod, she beamed a smile. “I was hoping I could pressure you into working for me a couple of days a week. Unless you want more, I’m sure we could find more for you to do. But I was thinking it would do me a huge favor and give some relief to my aching feet if I could get you to cover a couple of shifts, and in return, I could pay you in cash for your time. Your tips are yours to keep, of course.”
Was she fucking kidding me? I looked out the door at the cars driving by, but no sign of the men I’d sat with for lunch. I brought my gaze back to hers. I had strong suspicions that her son had given her the idea, but she looked so hopeful, and I didn’t want to be rude. I sighed and nodded.
“I would be happy to. I would hate to be indirectly responsible for your aching feet.”
She flushed under my knowing stare, but even though she knew I was onto her, she looked so relieved I couldn’t be mad at her. I was certain that she thought she was doing what she could for the poor girl that stumbled in here yesterday looking like a pathetic mess. I had to be grateful for her kindness. I suppose I should be grateful for the kindness of her son and his boyfriend. I just wasn’t sure about sharing a house with two strange men. Stranger danger had taken on a whole new meaning for me. I thought of the serial killer I had escaped from just a couple of months ago, and an icy shiver went up my spine. Those guys were nothing like that asshole. But was it smart to go to their home with the intention of living with them?
“So, what were you going to ask me?” Grace smiled as she resumed rolling the silverware.
I sighed and decided I might as well sit down. I slid my backpack off my shoulder and set it on the floor, then hopped up onto the bar stool in front of her. “Well, I was going to ask if you had a job opening but chickened out.”
She laughed. “Well, I’m glad I didn’t. I was afraid I would offend you.”
I shook my head. “No, I really am grateful. I don’t know why you’re being so nice to me. I’m just some girl that wandered in here off the bus.”
“That may be so, but I see you, Casey. You are a good soul.” She side-eyed me as she hesitated. “I’m guessing you have a story to tell. You don’t have to say anything right now. Just know that I am always here. My son is a cop, too, you know. If you are running from danger, there is no better person to protect you. And that man of his? Don’t let his good looks fool you. That boy is one tough cookie. You want a shoulder to lean on; he’s your guy.”
I flushed and looked down at my fingers. Why couldn’t my brain get the message that these two were off-limits? Her words had all kinds of images running through my brain: of them holding me, keeping me safe. Together. At the same time.
I cleared my throat. “Umm, Ethan offered to let me stay in their house.”
“Did he now? Looks like I did manage to teach him right.”
“You don’t think that would be a stupid idea? Them inviting a total stranger to live with them? I could be like… a serial killer. Or something.” I cringed inwardly at the thought of comparing myself to the actual Castle Killer.
“Honey, you ain’t no serial killer. Like I said, I know you. You are sweet as pie. I bet your momma raised you right, too.”
I smiled down at the counter. “My mom did her best, though I’m sure there were moments during my teen years that she despaired of ever having her child make it into adulthood without a record.” I laughed. “I was a good kid, but I have to admit, my best friend convinced me to do a lot of stupid stuff.”
“Then it sounds like you’ve had a good life, sweetheart. Those boys,” she chuckled and shook her head. “It’s a good thing you weren’t hanging out with them in high school. Your poor momma would have spent every night on her knees praying for you.”
My curiosity got the better of me, and I had to get more information. “What were they like?”
“As teenagers? Well, it’s not my story to tell, but Ethan did his best to keep Brent away from his house as much as possible. When they got together, which was all the time, mind you, could they ever find ways to raise hell. In a small town like this one, there isn’t much for teens to do but find trouble. I can’t tell you how many phone calls I got from angry farmers. Did you know tipping cows isn’t really a thing? It doesn’t stop stupid boys from trying, though.”
We both had to catch our breath from the laughter the image conjured. I wiped my eyes and realized that it was the first real laugh I’d had since I had been taken. The thought of it tried to steal my happiness, but I shoved the melancholy down.
“Seriously, though. If my boys offered you a room, you can trust that it will be safe for you. You should accept.”
The doorbell jingled before I could say anything. “Think about it.” Grace patted my arm as she walked past me to greet the new arrivals. I bent down to pick up my bag and slung it back over my shoulder. I needed to head to the nearest grocery store and pick up a few things that I could keep easily for snacks. I couldn’t keep eating diner food all the time, even if I had yet to pay for it.
When Grace walked behind the counter again to grab some glasses, I figured it was a good time to say my goodbyes.
“When would you like me to come in to work, Grace?”
“How about you come by tomorrow morning around ten? I can show you where everything is. You can start slow, maybe get the drinks during the lunch rush. How does that sound?”
I nodded. “Sounds perfect.” I started to walk out as she gathered the filled glasses to carry out, but paused. “Hey, Grace? How did you know my name today? I don’t remember telling you.”
She only looked slightly abashed, but admitted, “My sister owns the inn.”
I watched as she sashayed past me and set her glasses in front of the customers, already chatting with them like they were old friends. Her sister? That was kinda… sweet. She was already looking out for me since day one. And it explained a lot about the rate I was paying for my room.
