Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
Nolen
Well, it was safe to say Vanessa was in hiding once again. Only this time, I was one floor below her rather than on the outside looking in.
When it was clear she wasn't about to come out and eat dinner after missing lunch, I decided to take it upon myself to rummage through her fridge and see what I could make.
There weren’t many choices, and it had me wondering how the woman managed to survive for three weeks without leaving her house.
I knew she had food delivered from the One Stop Shop.
Ivan probably didn't do it for many people, but it would seem he made an exception for Vanessa because three times, while I was sitting outside, groceries were delivered by one of his workers.
Not much though and based on the little food that was currently in the house, she was in desperate need of more.
I considered calling one of the guys to go over and do some shopping but quickly nixed the idea and instead decided to order from the Crazy Fox Diner.
By the time I got off the phone with Bee, I was ninety-eight percent sure that rumors would be flying about Vanessa and me within minutes. There was no pulling one over on that damn old woman even if I tried.
The percentage went to one hundred when I answered the door and saw Jo––Bee's granddaughter––on the other side.
"So"—Jo rocked back on her heels—"you and Vanessa, huh?"
I gave her my sternest look, but it didn't seem to phase Jo one bit.
"I'm only here because of what happened."
Gossip in this town ran rampant, so I didn't have to explain what I meant by that.
"So you say, but we all see the way you look at her." Jo gave me a cheeky grin.
I snapped my head back like she had slapped me. "What the hell does that mean?"
I thought for sure I had kept my feelings for Vanessa under wraps. I didn't think even the guys at my company, except for Aaron, had any idea I looked at her that way.
"Oh come on. A woman as gorgeous as Vanessa, how couldn't you take notice."
"Of course I know how beautiful she is, but that doesn't mean anything."
Lies. It was all lies.
"Oh please. You look at her like you want her to be your next meal. Always have."
What the fuck?!
I did not.
Wait? Did I?
Shit, I didn't have time to overthink this. I needed the damn food.
"I think you're seeing things."
"And I think you have the case of the denials, but what do I know. I'm just a lowly server who sees too much."
She did see too much, but that was a topic for another day.
"Can I have my meal now before it gets cold?"
Jo gave me another cheeky grin. "Sure thing." She handed over the bag, but if I thought that was the end of the discussion, I was sadly mistaken. "Maybe next time, it will be Vanessa you eat."
Jo turned around and pranced down the steps with a chuckle following in her wake. I didn't even have a good comeback to that, so I kept my mouth shut.
I closed the door with a loud click and nearly jumped out of my skin when Vanessa spoke, "Was that Jo from the diner?"
I had been so focused on the conversation with Jo that I hadn't heard Vanessa approach, and that was unlike me.
I spun around and found Vanessa standing a few feet away from me twisting her hands in front of her.
I hoped like hell she hadn't heard what Jo said.
Otherwise I might die from embarrassment, and that was saying something since normally it took a lot to embarrass me.
"It was. I ordered us some food since there weren't many options in the kitchen. "
"Yeah, I forgot to get a delivery from Ivan this week."
"That's okay. I wasn't sure what you wanted from the diner, so I asked Bee, and she assured me you would love the surprise she sent over."
Vanessa smiled. "Bee spoils me."
I was beginning to see everyone in town spoiled her. She seemed to have that effect on everyone, including myself.
"How are your ribs feeling?"
"Sore but the pain is more manageable."
I was glad to hear that at least. "Do you want to sit on the couch to eat instead of the kitchen?"
She looked almost relieved at the suggestion. "That would be great."
"Make yourself as comfortable as you can, and I'll go grab some plates and bottles of water."
It took me a few seconds of opening random cabinet doors before I was able to find the plates and utensils. But once I had everything, I made my way back to the living room.
Vanessa had already pulled the food out of the bag and was setting it up on the coffee table.
"That smells delicious." I took the seat next to her and looked over at what was in Vanessa's takeout container.
"Is that a Thanksgiving meal?"
I'd never seen that on Bee's menu before.
"It sure is. She made it once for Thanksgiving and I told her how much I loved it that she always makes it for me when I'm feeling down."
Well, damn. This woman really did have everyone wrapped up tight.
"Do you want to try a bite?"
I didn't have to think about that for even a second. "Yes, please."
Vanessa chuckled as she handed me half of the club sandwich and watched as I took a bite. "Holy shit that's good." I covered my mouth and moaned.
"I know, right."
I was a little jealous that I hadn't asked Bee to give me the same as Vanessa. Instead I had a boring old buffalo club.
Actually there was nothing boring about any of the food Bee made. For a small-town diner, the food was pretty damn amazing.
The first few minutes we ate in comfortable silence. The both of us enjoying the food and each other's company. It wasn't until Vanessa was halfway done with her meal that she finally spoke.
"So tell me a little bit about you."
It was such a generic statement. I didn't even know where to begin.
"What would you like to know?"
"What brought you to Willow Creek?"
That was easy enough to answer. "Aaron did. Maverick spoke to us about starting the security company and was looking for a place to set up shop. Aaron was the one to suggest Willow Creek because he wanted to be closer to his mother, but we all know the real reason."
"Valerie," we said at the same time and laughed.
"You got that right. It's always been her."
"You do have to admit they have an adorable love story."
I scrunched up my nose at that. I wasn't sure adorable was the word I would use, but I could see how a female would think so.
"If you say so."
Vanessa shook her head with a laugh.
"Okay, so we know you came here because of Aaron's family, but what about yours? Do you see them often?"
I didn't have to think about that one very hard. "Not so much anymore."
Vanessa's eyes held the question she didn't have to voice because I started to explain, "Owen and I are from the same town. We've known each other long before we joined the Marines."
"Okay…”
I knew what I said didn't make much sense but damn did I hate talking about this. "I have one brother, Chase. He's a professional bull rider and has had an on-again, off-again relationship with Owen's sister, Annie."
"Ah." Vanessa looked like she was beginning to understand. "So things are weird back home."
"A little. Owen and I have a very clear understanding. We don't talk about their relationship even though I know Owen doesn't like my brother for what he's doing to his sister."
"And what do you think about their relationship?"
I shrugged my shoulder. "I think my brother's an idiot. He pours everything into his career and doesn't care what it does to others. Annie has tried to make it work with him more times than he deserves, but every time Chase puts his career first. I don't blame her for finally walking away."
"Wait?" Vanessa held up her hands. "Didn't Annie recently move to Willow Creek? How has that been for the two of you?"
I blew out a breath. "It's been fine because she's avoiding me, and to be honest, I've gone out of my way to let her."
"I'm sorry you've had to do that."
"It's okay. I know it won't last forever, but so far it works for us. I think it's too hard for her to see me. Chase and I look so similar despite the few years between us."
"So you remind her of what she lost."
I bob my head. "Yeah, I think so."
"Well, I hope when you do finally talk to her, it goes smoothly. It's not exactly easy to avoid people in such a small town."
Didn't I know it. I was actually surprised I hadn't run into Annie before now.
It wasn't like I hid in my place, but I was sure that was what she was doing when she wasn't at the pub.
Although the pub wasn't far from my place of employment, so it was even more mind-blowing that we haven't crossed paths.
"No, it's not." I let out a huff of air. "So that's my sibling drama."
Vanessa suddenly looked uncomfortable, and I had to wonder if it was because she knew what I was going to say next.
"Now are you going to tell me about your sister and who's out to harm her?"