AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Her eyebrows rose. “Okay, it will be out shortly.”
She reached for the stack of menus at the same time he did, their fingers brushing. Brynn flinched and tore her hands away.
Four sets of eyes locked on to her as heat crept up her neck.
“S-sorry.” She scooped up the menus and darted to the kitchen.
Turning her back on the cooking area, she then braced her hand on the stainless-steel salad counter and forced deep breaths into her lungs.
A clanging sound made her jump.
“Sorry, just me being a klutz.” Fred picked up the metal ladle he’d dropped and put it into the sink to be washed.
Brynn pressed a hand to her racing heart. She hated how her body overreacted to noises or touches. She was always on alert, her body searching for danger around every turn. Because danger was there for so long.
“Why don’t you get your things? I can finish this order up. You’ve been here since five and your shift is just about over.” Betty-Lou plucked the paper pad from her hands, tearing off the bikers’ orders.
Brynn nodded and went to the back room. Trailing her hands over the row of grey metal lockers, she stopped at hers. After twisting the knob on the lock into the right combination, she opened it and exchanged her apron for a worn sweatshirt she’d found at the free clothing drive the local church put on. Brynn stretched her neck from side to side, letting go of a deep lungful of air. She’d managed to stay busy enough this week, forcing thoughts of a tall, dark-eyed man from her mind.
Marry me.
Was he absurd?
His facility had been a lifesaver for Danielle. In the last few days, Brynn had switched pronouns and started the process of trying to remember to call her child Danielle instead of David. Her daughter’s bright smile flashed in her mind, as if she’d gotten her child back. Had I been blind to her sadness before? Was I too busy?
Working two jobs was arduous, but it kept a roof over their heads and food in their bellies. Danielle now needed a whole new wardrobe, and Brynn was barely making ends meet as it was.
Marry me. Aaron’s words kept repeating in her mind. No, she would never be under a man’s control again.
Betty-Lou walked into the small room, not much bigger than a closet. She straightened, her lips pursed.
“What is it?” Brynn asked, getting to her swollen sore feet.
“Someone was asking about you—a man.”
The blood drained from Brynn’s face as her heart raced. Is it him? “Is he still here?”
Betty-Lou nodded.
Brynn grabbed her purse, slinging it over her shoulder, and followed Betty-Lou to the door leading to the diner. She paused in front of it, standing on tiptoes to peek outside the tiny diamond-shaped window while placing her hand on the stainless-steel salad counter for balance.
“Left side by the window. He showed me a picture of a much younger and blonder you but asked for Miriam McKerman.”
Lightning bolted through her body, terror seizing her chest. He’s here. He’s found us.
“It’s okay. I told him I’d never seen you before. Told him I know everyone in this town and I’d never laid eyes on you,” Betty-Lou assured her, pressing her hands to Brynn’s shoulders.
She had to know.
Brynn sucked in a deep breath and peeked out the doorway. A man she didn’t recognize sat with his back to her, peering out the window. His button-up shirt and khaki pants fit in with what most of the disciples wore from the cult. He had to be from the Livingston clan.
Brynn pulled back, pressing against the wall. “They’ve found me.”
“Is that him?” Betty-Lou clarified.
Brynn shook her head. She’d never told Betty-Lou about her past, but the woman was observant.
“No, but he could work for him.”
