Chapter Four
Nora
The bell above the door jangled harshly, making me jump. My heart sank as Rex Strayer swaggered in, his eyes wild and bloodshot. Why couldn’t he leave me alone? I’d finally gotten the courage to leave him, but every time I thought I would be able to move on with my life, he showed up again. Like now.
“Hey, sweetheart.” He leered at me, his gaze roaming over my body. “How about some service over here?”
I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. “What can I get for you, Rex?”
He slouched into a booth, propping his dirty boots up on the vinyl seat. “Coffee. Black. And make it snappy.”
As I hurried to pour his coffee with shaking hands, I could feel his eyes burning into my back. Rex was bad news -- everyone in this town knew it. If the cops got called on him again, he’d be looking at hard time. Or at least, in theory he should. Somehow, the public defender always seemed to get him off as not guilty, on probation, or a short sentence that didn’t even last a year. And I had a sinking feeling he was about to make my shift a living hell.
“Here you go,” I said tersely, sliding the mug in front of him. A few drops sloshed over the side.
Rex grabbed my wrist, his grip painfully tight. “You tryin’ to scald me, girl?”
“No, I…” My voice came out a scared whisper. “It was an accident.”
“Clumsy little thing, aren’t ya?” His thumbnail dug into my pulse point. Tears of pain pricked my eyes. I knew he was going to leave a bruise. Wouldn’t be the first time. His mean streak was one of the main reasons I’d left him.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the other waitress Jenna hovering nervously, unsure whether to intervene. God, I hoped she wouldn’t. Rex was like a ticking time bomb. Any little thing could set him off. And I had a terrible feeling I was about to be caught in the blast.
The bell over the café door tinkled, drawing my gaze. Relief washed over me as I saw Dawson step inside, holding Taylor’s small hand in his. His eyes, like chips of blue ice, swept over the scene, taking in every detail with a calm, assessing gaze.
Dawson approached the counter, his body language relaxed yet alert. “Hey, Nora,” he greeted me, his deep voice soothing my frayed nerves. “Looks like you’ve got your hands full today.”
I managed a tight smile, acutely aware of Rex’s menacing presence behind me. “Yeah, it’s been… challenging.” My voice wavered slightly, and I hoped Dawson couldn’t hear the fear beneath my words.
His gaze flickered to Rex, then back to me, a silent understanding passing between us. “Why don’t I take Taylor to a booth? We’ll wait for you to finish your shift.” His tone was casual, but I could sense the protective undercurrent in his words.
I nodded gratefully, my heart swelling with appreciation for his steady presence. As Dawson led Taylor to a booth, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy at the easy way he navigated the world, his confidence unshakable. I’d never been like that and I wondered if I ever would be.
Rex’s grating voice shattered the momentary peace. “Well, well, well. Looks like Nora has her very own hero. Come to save the damsel in distress, have you?”
Dawson’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly, but his voice remained even. “Just here to enjoy some coffee with my favorite girl.” He ruffled Taylor’s hair affectionately, and she giggled, oblivious to the tension crackling in the air.
I watched, my heart in my throat, as Dawson settled into the booth, his body angled toward Rex, a silent warning in his posture. He was here, and he wasn’t going anywhere until I was safe. The knowledge filled me with a warmth I hadn’t felt in a long time, even as the cold tendrils of fear continued to grip my heart.
The minutes ticked by with agonizing slowness, each second stretching into an eternity as I tried to focus on my work. The chaos of the café swirled around me, the clamor of dishes and the hum of conversation blurring into a distant buzz. I felt like I was moving through molasses, my limbs heavy with exhaustion and my mind clouded with fear.
Rex’s presence loomed like a dark shadow, his every movement sending a fresh wave of anxiety coursing through my veins. I could feel his eyes on me, watching, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. His words, sharp and cutting, sliced through the air, leaving me raw and exposed.
“Can you believe they let someone like her work here?” he stage-whispered to no one in particular, his voice dripping with disdain. “I bet she’s just waiting for the right opportunity to steal from the register.”
I flinched, my cheeks burning with humiliation as I felt the curious stares from the other customers. With Rex’s reputation, I didn’t think they would believe him, but still… there was a small chance they would. I wanted to disappear, to sink into the ground and never resurface. But I couldn’t let him see how much his words affected me. I had to be strong, for Taylor’s sake if not for my own.
I risked a glance at Dawson, seeking the comfort of his steady gaze. He met my eyes, his expression a mix of concern and reassurance. I could see the tension in his jaw, the way his fingers curled around the edge of the table, ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice.
“Hey, Nora!” Rex called out, his voice sharp and demanding. “How about you stop making eyes at lover boy over there and get me a refill?”
My hands shook as I reached for the coffee pot, and I swallowed hard. I could feel the weight of Rex’s gaze on me, the malevolent glint in his eyes sending shivers down my spine. I wanted nothing more than to run, to escape the suffocating confines of the café and the terror that gripped my heart.
But I couldn’t run. Not with Taylor depending on me. Not with Dawson here, ready to stand between me and the darkness that threatened to consume me. I had to be strong, even as my world crumbled around me. Why did Dawson of all people have to see me like this?
Dawson’s hand closed around mine, his fingers pressing something cold and metallic into my palm. I glanced down, my eyes widening as I recognized the glint of his car keys.
“Take Taylor and go,” he murmured, his voice low and urgent. “I’ll handle this.”
I hesitated, my gaze darting between Dawson and Rex. The tension in the air was palpable, the silence broken only by the pounding of my own heart. I knew I couldn’t leave Dawson to face Rex alone, but the fierce determination in his eyes left no room for argument.
My shift was technically over, even if I still had tables of customers who weren’t ready to leave yet. While I wanted the tips desperately, I knew in this instance, it was better to leave than worry about the money. If I stayed, things could go horribly wrong.
“Mama?” Taylor’s voice quavered, her small hand clutching mine. “What’s happening?”
“It’s okay, baby,” I whispered, pulling her close. “We’re going for a little ride.”
I caught Dawson’s gaze once more, a silent thank-you passing between us. Then, with a deep breath, I turned and hurried toward the door, Taylor’s hand clasped tightly in mine.
But as I reached for the handle, I heard someone noisily get to their feet. My heart stopped, the blood turning to ice in my veins. I didn’t need to turn around to know that Rex had stood up, his eyes boring into my back.
“Where do you think you’re going, Nora?” he growled, his voice low and menacing.
I froze, my hand hovering inches from the door. Beside me, I could feel Taylor trembling, her small body pressing close to mine. I wanted to run, to burst through the door and never look back. But I couldn’t move, paralyzed by the fear that gripped my heart.
And then Dawson was there, his scent soothing me and calming my racing heart. I didn’t know how I could recognize him sight unseen after such a small amount of time together, but I could.
“She’s leaving,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “And you’re not going to stop her.”
I turned and placed my hand on Dawson’s back, thankful he’d come when he had. If it weren’t for him, there was no telling what Rex might have done, and no one here would have been brave enough to stop him.
Rex sneered, his eyes darting between Dawson and me. “You think you can tell me what to do, pretty boy?” He took a step forward, his fists clenching at his sides. “I’m not done with her yet.”
Dawson didn’t flinch, his stance unwavering. “You are now.”
The air crackled with tension, the seconds stretching into an eternity. I held my breath, my heart pounding in my chest. And then Rex lunged, his fist aimed squarely at Dawson’s jaw.
But Dawson was ready for him. He ducked the blow with lightning speed, his own fist connecting with Rex’s stomach. Rex grunted, stumbling back, but he didn’t stay down for long. With a roar of fury, he charged again, his arms flailing wildly.
Dawson met him head-on, his movements fluid and precise. He dodged Rex’s clumsy strikes, his own fists finding their mark with devastating accuracy. I watched in awe as he held his own against Rex’s brutal onslaught, his face a mask of calm determination.
The fight seemed to go on forever, the two men trading blows in a brutal dance. A cup fell off a table they bumped into and shattered on the floor. I heard the clink of silverware falling off another. Thankfully, nothing else seemed to break… except perhaps Rex’s nose. Even as Rex’s face grew bloody and swollen, he refused to back down. His eyes glinted with a manic rage, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
And then, just as I thought it would never end, the sound of sirens split the air. Red and blue lights flashed in the distance. Rex froze, his eyes wide with sudden fear.
“This isn’t over,” he snarled, backing toward the door. I quickly stepped out of his way. “You’ll pay for this, both of you.”
And then he was gone, disappearing into the night as the police cars screeched to a halt outside. I sagged against the wall, my knees weak with relief. Taylor clung to my side, her face buried in my shirt.
Dawson turned to me, his chest heaving with exertion. “Are you okay?”
I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. He had saved me, saved us both. And in that moment, I knew that I would never be able to repay him for what he had done.
As the adrenaline from the fight slowly ebbed away, I found myself overwhelmed with gratitude toward Dawson. His quick thinking and bravery had not only kept Taylor and me safe but also prevented the situation from escalating further. I took a shaky step toward him, my voice barely above a whisper, “Thank you, Dawson. I don’t know what we would have done if you hadn’t been here.”
He reached out and gently squeezed my shoulder, his blue eyes filled with warmth and understanding. “You don’t have to thank me, Nora. I’m just glad you and Taylor are okay.”
In that moment, as his hand lingered on my shoulder, I felt a spark of connection between us. Taylor, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, peeked out from behind my leg and offered Dawson a timid smile.
The sound of the café door opening broke the spell, and we turned to see my manager, looking frazzled and concerned. Where the hell had he been? No, I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. Everyone had heard the rumors about him and one of our waitresses. Supposedly someone had walked in on her giving him a blowjob. And since I hadn’t seen her either during the altercation…
“Nora, I’m so sorry about what happened. I’ve told everyone to keep Rex out of here, but he keeps showing up. And well, I guess everyone is scared to try and force him to leave. Why don’t you go home? We’ll take care of everything here.”
I wasn’t sure what he expected us to do when Rex showed up. Sure, we had the right to refuse service to someone, but it wasn’t like we could physically remove him.
Once the police had taken our statements, I gathered my belongings, then took Taylor’s hand. Dawson walked with us to the door, his presence a comforting shield against the lingering chaos of the night.
As we stepped out into the cool evening air, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. The fear and anxiety that had gripped me during Rex’s outburst were slowly replaced by a sense of safety and peace. I knew that the road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but with Dawson by my side, I felt like I could face anything.
We walked to the parking lot in comfortable silence, the events of the night still fresh in our minds. As we reached Dawson’s truck, he turned to me, his expression soft and sincere. “Are the two of you all right?”
I nodded. “We’re good.”
“Is he always like that with you?” Dawson asked.
I bit my lip and glanced down at Taylor. Dawson seemed to understand what I wanted and helped her into the back seat, then shut the door. Once I knew my little girl couldn’t hear us, I decided to be truthful with Dawson.
“Yes, he’s always like that at the café, and… I used to date him.”
Dawson folded his arms and studied me. I knew he probably wondered what I’d ever seen in someone like Rex. Truth be told, he’d been sweet to me at first. I hadn’t realized he was luring me in. Once I’d been caught in his trap, he’d made sure I didn’t have a way to escape. Until I’d proven him wrong and left his sorry ass.
Except Rex didn’t let go of things easily, much less people he felt belonged to him. I was so grateful I hadn’t told him about the baby. If I had, things would have been even worse.
“What if you got a restraining order against him?” Dawson asked. “I know someone who can help you file one.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Dawson’s eyebrow lifted. “You’ll think about it?”
“Do you really think Rex is the type of person to let a piece of paper stop him? Because I don’t.”
“Fair enough. Come on. Let’s go home.”
He opened the front passenger door and helped me into the truck. I liked that he wasn’t making a big deal out of this. But something told me this wasn’t over yet. Dawson probably had more questions, and it was only fair that I answer them.
I only hoped he didn’t decide I was more trouble than I was worth.