Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Amber tried to pace herself, but hunger overtook her and before long she’d cleared her plate of all the green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, and hamburger steak.
She didn’t want to make a pig of herself, but when Marsha sat a piece of pie in front of her, she couldn’t resist that, either.
“Thank you, ma’am!” she said as she pulled the plate closer and picked up her fork.
Across the table, the utterly handsome man named Sawyer sat, finishing his own pie and sipping his coffee. He’d gone at a more measured pace, and Amber felt quite embarrassed at the way she’d attacked the food. She’d had what the Reyes packed for her earlier, but days of not eating much had evidently caught up to her.
“Honey, do you have any way of getting ahold of the Colliers and letting them know you made it to their place? Or in case anything happens that you need to tell them about?” Marsha asked as she hovered by the table, having just refilled Sawyer’s coffee cup.
Amber took a drink of her milk and then answered, “Yes, ma’am. They have a landline in their cabin.”
“How about that!” Marsha exclaimed. “One of the last two in the county. I’ve got one, too.” She jerked her head over toward the register.
Amber looked and saw an old-fashioned phone hanging on the wall behind the counter, complete with a pad of paper tacked up next to it. She probably took to-go orders that way.
That was confirmed when Marsha said, “Online ordering hasn’t quite made it to Big Cedar yet.”
“Wouldn’t be a shame if it never did,” Sawyer said.
Amber studied him for a moment. “How come?”
He offered a shrug as he raised his coffee to his lips. “Old ways are better.” He took a sip.
That tracked. He seemed like an old-school guy, Amber thought.
“Honey, it’s awfully remote out there,” Marsha continued. “I just worry about you by yourself. Now, I’m not trying to interfere in your business, but… well, three miles is a long way to walk.”
Amber thought about it for a moment. “Yeah. I didn’t realize it was so far when I accepted the offer. But it has a phone. And I’m kind of used to making do.” She instantly regretted that last statement. She wasn’t trying to garner anyone’s sympathy. She injected a cheery note into her voice as she went on. “I’m looking forward to the challenge! They said I can fix it up. And if it goes well, one day, it might even turn into a rent-to-own sort of thing. I could have my own place!”
This unique arrangement was probably the only way she could buy a place of her own. But she sure wasn’t about to tell them that.
“I’m going to look for a job, too,” Amber said. “So I won’t be at that place every day, all day by myself or nothing.”
Marsha smiled, like a grandmother watching a child she found cute. “Hon, how will you get to work if you don’t have a car?”
“Oh. Yeah.” Amber gulped. She hung her head and mumbled, “Guess I didn’t think about that. Didn’t realize how far away it was from town.”
Marsha said, “You know, I need some help around this place.”
Amber perked up. “You do?”
Her hope vanished quickly when a thought crossed her mind: did Marsha just feel sorry for her? She didn’t want to take charity.
But that fear was eased somewhat when the older woman said, “Sure do. I’ve had that sign up for nigh near two months without a single taker.” She jerked her head, this time indicating the HELP WANTED sign posted on the counter just below the register.
Amber sat up straighter and smiled. “I can do whatever! I can cook, clean, and all that.”
“You have experience?”
“Yes, ma’am. I worked at a restaurant in Oklahoma City. I didn’t cook, but I’d bus tables, clean up in the kitchen, and do whatever needed done. But before that, I learned to cook in my foster home. There were twelve of us there, and when I got to be one of the oldest, I took over kitchen duties.”
Amber wasn’t sure, but she thought Marsha and Sawyer’s eyes flickered to meet briefly, perhaps exchanging sympathetic glances.
She made a mental note not to reveal so much. What if they thought she’d just showed up looking for pity and handouts?
“Do you want to apply?” Marsha asked. “No pressure, hon.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m just not sure how I could get here until I save up for a car.” She sank in the booth, and, speaking more to herself than them, said quietly, “And I’m not sure how I can save up for a car without working. Hmm. I’ll figure it out.”
“I admire your positivity,” Marsha said. “And I’d be able to come get you, honey. I need the help!”
“Really?”
Marsha nodded.
“I’d hate to be a bother.”
“A bother?” Marsha said with a snort. “You don’t know how bad I need the help. Right now, it’s me cooking, cleaning, and running the register. I’m not busy now, but come summertime, it picks up. Heck, every day at lunch gets hectic just with those crazy firefighters and the other people around town.”
The man cleared his throat, sat down his coffee, and said, “And I come into town quite a bit. You could always catch a ride with me. Like I said, the Collier place backs up to mine.”
Amber wasn’t sure, but she thought the look Marsha flashed Sawyer said, “Really?”
Was it about her? Or was it over that line about coming into town often? She didn’t know why, but she had a hunch Sawyer sort of kept to himself.
He didn’t seem mean or anything. Just… solitary.
Remembering the original topic of discussion, she stopped assuming and said, “I would love to work here, ma’am!”
“Well, I’d be honored to have you. It’ll most likely be part time until the tourism picks up. But summer will be here before we know it, that’s for darn sure. Until then, that’ll give you time to work on the old Collier place.”
“Is it in bad shape?” Amber asked.
If it was, no big deal. She was up for the challenge.
“Truth be told, I haven’t been out there,” Marsha said. “I know where it’s at, but no one’s lived there in quite a while. The Colliers moved to California, didn’t they?”
“Arizona,” Amber corrected.
“Years ago, if I’m not mistaken,” Marsha went on. “Bet I haven’t seen them in fifteen years. At least.”
“I’ve seen the outside of their place,” Sawyer said. “They gave me permission to hunt on their land.”
“Is it bad?” Amber asked.
“Wouldn’t say bad.” He paused and then added, “Wouldn’t say good, either. It needs some repairs.”
It has to beat the apartment I lived in back in Oklahoma City, she thought silently. And it sure has to beat the streets!
A serious look shaded Sawyer’s face before he said, “It’s going to be dark out there this time of night.”
“They said they’ve been keeping up with the electricity,” Amber replied hopefully.
“Yeah. But outside, there aren’t any lights to speak of. Could be the porchlight just burned out years ago. But they don’t have any yard lights.” He picked up his coffee and, from the looks of it, down the last of it, because he tilted his head far back and held the mug there for a few seconds. “When you finish up I’ll drive you out there and will help you get situated.”
Her first response was to protest, as she didn’t want him going out of his way to help her. But she held it inside. Sawyer didn’t seem to the be the kind of guy one argued with.
Especially a submissive Little like her.
Because Sawyer seemed like a Daddy.
She nearly giggled at the thought. Was she just thinking that because she was finally in Big Cedar? She supposed not everyone there was in the lifestyle. But if she had to bet the last of her money, she’d say that he for sure was! He just had those vibes.
Before anyone could say another word, the bell on the door jingled and a man in a sheriff’s uniform stepped in.
He looked determined as he strode toward them, keeping his eyes fixed firmly on Amber.
She tensed up and said, “I’m sorry, Sir. I wasn’t causing any trouble. But I can move on.”
The law officer stopped walking as a puzzled look spread over his face.
Marsha and Sawyer exchanged puzzled glances, too.
Amber grew so embarrassed. “I’m sorry,” she offered meekly. “I, uh, have… found shelter in parks and stuff before.” A tear slid down her cheek as she looked down. “Not everyone is okay with that.”
She sniffled and silently chided herself for the reaction. But it had been a trauma response outside of her control. Now, she was mortified.
A moment later, Alyssa’s voice rang out as she ran into the diner. “You found her, Daddy! That’s her! That’s our new friend.”
Amber smiled at this.
She was someone’s friend?
The sheriff smiled as he looked down at her and said, “Welcome to Big Cedar. We’re glad you’re here.”
Amber’s own smile grew.
She could already tell that Big Cedar just might be the community she’d been looking for her whole life.