Chapter 14
14
T he group decided to get together later, after Dex and Chase followed up on Tessa’s story.
She and Ford walked back to his cabin, and Tessa inhaled, filling her lungs with the crisp pine-scented air. The sky was blue, the air was cool, and the birds were chirping. For the first time since she left Georgia, she felt safe, protected by a team of skilled security specialists.
But then reality hit as she mentally began checking off tasks: find a job, get her car fixed, buy some clothes, and look for a place to stay.
Tessa let out a deep sigh. All of her future plans required money, something she was seriously lacking.
“That was a heavy sigh,” said Ford, glancing at her. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing serious … just worried about the future,” she replied.
Ford leaned in and gently rested a hand on her shoulder. “You’ve got protection. Damien will never get to you, and the rest will fall into place.”
As they stepped onto the small porch, Ford added, “I’ve asked some women to stop by and see you later.”
Tessa smiled, then quickly frowned.
“What’s wrong now?” he asked.
“I don’t want anyone to potentially get hurt by knowing me,” she said softly.
He chuckled. “Not going to happen. First off, the guys are very protective of their women. And second, these women have been through their own challenges. They’re strong, and they’re more than ready to help someone new.”
As they entered the cabin, Ford sighed as he looked around. “You know, I’m starving, and I don’t have any food here. Let’s grab a bite and then go grocery shopping.”
Tessa’s stomach growled. “Sounds good.”
Ford grabbed his keys. “Let’s go.”
They drove a few miles into town, and he pulled into a parking space in front of the Red Rooster Diner.
“This place has amazing food,” he said as he got out and came around to help Tessa down from the truck.
The scents of sizzling bacon and fresh coffee filled the air. “Well, if the food is anything like what I’m smelling, I’m sure it’ll be good,” she replied.
Walking into the diner was a blast from the past. Catchy phrase, Tessa thought, but true. The decor was straight out of the 1950s. There were a few people sitting at the counter, and most of the booths were full, but she spotted an empty booth near the window.
She scooted into the red-leather seat in the booth and looked around. Three-tiered pie holders held an assortment of pies—her favorite. Knickknacks and signs from other diners adorned the walls.
A petite, gray-haired woman came over and greeted Ford. “Haven’t seen you in a while, Ford.”
“Been busy, Margie,” replied Ford. He nodded at Tessa. “This is Tessa. She’s staying with me for a while.”
Tessa gave her a little wave. “Hi.”
“Welcome, Tessa. So, what will you two have this morning?”
Ford looked at Tessa and said, “If you’re hungry, go for the Big Wally. It’ll satisfy your every breakfast need.”
Tessa shrugged. It didn’t matter to her what she ate. She’d been snacking for days. “Sounds good.”
“Two Big Wallys, Margie. And coffee?” he looked over at Tessa, who nodded. “Two coffees, please.”
“On it.” Margie turned to place the order.
“I’m almost afraid to ask what a Big Wally is,” whispered Tessa.
“You’ll see.” Ford’s eyes twinkled.
Margie returned and placed two steaming cups of coffee down and left.
“Haywood Lake seems like a nice town,” Tessa said. “How long have you lived here?”
Ford thought for a moment. “It’s been almost a year.”
“Were you in security before?”
He shook his head. “No, I was in the military. After I got out, I searched for a place to use the skills I learned, and someone mentioned the Brotherhood Alliance.”
“What does the Brotherhood do exactly?” Tessa knew they did security, but what kind?
Ford was about to answer when Margie brought over their breakfast and a pot of jam.
The plate was ginormous. Did Ford really think she could eat three slices of bacon, two sausage patties, a slice of ham and, oh God, three eggs over easy, two pancakes, home fries, plus toast?
“Who’s sharing this with us?” she quipped.
He chuckled. “Eat what you can. I’ll finish what you don’t.”
They ate, listening to oldies drifting from the radio, mixed with the clink of glasses and snippets of conversation from the other diners.
Ford took a bite of egg, swallowed and asked, “Tell me about your family.”
Tessa shrugged. “Oh, not much to tell.” She ran her finger around the rim of her glass. “Mom and Dad are on a round-the-world cruise. They’re probably leaving Hawaii for Tahiti right now.”
“Do they like to cruise?”
She laughed. “This is their first but something they always wanted to do.”
Ford nodded. “Siblings?”
“No.” Tessa thought about it for a minute. “I wish I had a couple, but that wasn’t in the cards for them.”
“Sorry to hear that,” he said. “I’m an only child too.”
She studied him for a moment. “What about your parents? Do they live around here?”
Pain passed through his eyes. She could tell it hurt to talk about his parents. He was proud of them. He missed them still. “They passed away. Car accident.”
“Oh! I’m sorry to hear that. Do you have other family?” she asked gently.
“Nope. At least not that I know of. My parents were only kids too.”
Tessa gave him a small smile. She wanted to say something. Instead she clinked her glass against his.
“To new friends,” she said.
“To new friends,” he echoed.
Before long, Ford finished everything on his plate and was sipping coffee. Scraping the last bit of pancake off her plate, Tessa realized she was hungrier than she had thought.
She leaned back, patting her stomach. “That was the best breakfast ever.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” said Ford.
“I don’t normally eat that much, but the past couple of days have been light on food.”
Ford grabbed the bill that Margie had placed on the table. “We’re about to fix that. Let me pay, and we’ll go to the grocery store.”
Tessa felt guilty for letting Ford pay after all he’d done for her, and now he was buying groceries too.
In another life, she would have protested and split the bill, but now, she only had the cash she left with, and that wasn’t very much.
Back home, she had a goodly sum in a savings account but thought Damien could probably track it or his police contact could. The only positive note was that it would accrue interest—not much, but still.
Two hours later, they arrived back at the cabin. She helped Ford bring in bags of food, more food than the two of them could consume in a week. She’d stopped looking at items because every time she did, Ford threw them in the carriage.
After unpacking the bags, Tessa made a pot of coffee and pulled out a box of pastries they’d stopped to buy at the Queen of Tarts. The owner, Giselle, was there and explained all the different pastries. And what a cute bakery it was.
In fact, the town of Haywood Lake was cute. There were canals, lakes, a lively downtown, a museum, bistros, restaurants, and an endless array of fun places to visit. Tessa could see herself settling here.
For sure, she could never go back to Atlanta for a couple of reasons. One, Damien was there and she wasn’t safe. Two, her career was ruined. Once people found out about Damien’s extracurricular activities, no one would want to hire her.
Just as they settled into the living room with coffee and pastries, they were interrupted by a knock at the door.
Ford got up to open it, and four women came in holding boxes and bags.
“Tessa, meet Joy, Naomi, Emelia, and Isabelle,” said Ford. “I asked Emelia to bring over whoever was available.”
“Oh my.” Tessa stood to welcome the women.
“I’m Joy Maddox,” said a slender blond woman, nodding in her direction since her hands were holding a pot. “I live in the house at the end of the driveway with Liam, who’s a deputy sheriff in town.” She held up the container. “I brought homemade soup. Because,” she said, her eyes twinkling, “soup makes everything okay.”
Ford took the pot from Joy and placed it in the kitchen.
“Thank you,” said Tessa. “I love homemade soup, and it smells yummy.”
A tall, brown-haired woman stepped in. “I have pastries, and I’m Emelia. You’ve probably met my significant other, Titus.” Emelia glanced over at the table. “Oh, I see you went to the Queen of Tarts. Giselle’s pastries are great, but mine are better.” Emelia smiled and placed an open box on the coffee table.
Tessa’s mouth watered looking at the various pastries. There were assorted muffins and croissants.
“I’m Naomi, and I’m with Chase.” A woman with black hair and striking green eyes held up a bag. “He mentioned you might need clothes, so we went to the store and got the basics for you.” Naomi eyed her up and down. “You look about the same size as Joy, so they should work. If not, the receipt is in the bag, and you can exchange whatever doesn’t fit or isn’t your style.”
A tear formed in Tessa’s eye.
These women had no idea who she was, and yet they were welcoming her like old friends. She wanted to tell them to stay away for their own safety, but just for a moment, she could let herself lean on someone else.
“Hey, no crying here,” the last woman said with a laugh. She was about Tessa’s height with blond hair. She stepped forward with a bag of produce and a small box. “I’m Isabelle, and I’m with Will, who you met earlier. We grow and sell vegetables and meat, and I make soap.”
Isabelle handed the bag of vegetables to Ford and walked into the living room and opened a box with a Two Fishes logo on the label. “Here are our latest soaps: Smooth Operator, which will get you squeaky clean and feeling smooth, and Lathered in Love, for when you want to feel ‘hands on with your soap.’”
They all turned when Ford groaned from the kitchen. He turned a bright red and just shook his head. “On that note, I’m outta here—have fun, ladies.” He grabbed his keys and left.
The women laughed hysterically. “Isabelle, you are so bad,” said Joy.
“I know.” Isabelle grinned. “It’s the little things in life that make me smile. Ford is always so serious. It’s fun to try to make him laugh.”
“Well, sit,” said Tessa. “I believe we have dry white wine chilling and red Shiraz. Or I can make…” She grimaced. “I don’t know what I can make since I’ve only just got here.”
“Wine is good,” replied Naomi. “Red for me.”
“White for me,” chorused Isabelle, Joy, and Emelia.
Emelia jumped up. “Let me help.”
Good idea, since Tessa had no idea where Ford kept things.
In a matter of minutes, they opened the wine, carried it and the glasses to the coffee table. Tessa poured and handed a glass to each woman. “A toast is called for,” she said, lifting her glass. “Here’s to flavor, fragrance and feeling refreshed.”
“Perfect,” Joy chimed in, raising her glass. “Also, to new friends.”
New friends! Tessa loved that phrase. It felt like a gift of hope, reminding her that she missed her old friends and if she made her home here, hoped they would visit.
“So, how do you all know each other?” Tessa asked.
The women shared a look. What was going on?
“Well,” Joy started and leaned forward. “My brother is Chase, who you know runs the Paws for Caring campus and the Brotherhood Alliance. I live just at the end of the driveway.” She gestured toward the street. “I met Naomi when she came to live on campus, and now she’s my sister-in-law.”
“That must be nice to live so close to family,” said Tessa. “Mine are in Atlanta.”
“We heard you had a bit of trouble,” Emelia said gently.
Tessa’s heart skipped. She had to warn them not to get involved with her.
It was too dangerous for them, but before she could say anything, Isabelle placed her hand on Tessa’s and said, “You’re safe here with Ford and the guys. They’re trained in dangerous situations and to protect people. Every one of us has been in situations where the Brotherhood helped.”
Emelia nodded, glancing around at the other women. “We’ve all been through hard times, but you don’t have to go it alone.”
“That’s so true,” said Naomi. “If you ever need to talk, you’ve got friends here now.”
“And Ford,” exclaimed Isabelle. “Who knew that the ever-mysterious Ford would find a woman when he least expected to?”
Humph. “Ford had little choice since I broke into his cabin,” Tessa said, half jokingly. But now that she thought about it, had Ford brought her here because he didn’t know what to do with her or because of guilt?
The women laughed, and a feeling of warmth and friendship washed over Tessa. The conversation drifted to other subjects —favorite restaurants, areas to explore, and the best stores for clothes.
Tessa sipped her wine and looked at the women, who had a tight bond, and felt a sense of belonging—a hope for the future she hadn’t realized she was missing.
For now, that was enough. Tomorrow could hold its own challenges, but for tonight, this was what she needed.