Chapter 8
A llison wouldn’t lie to herself. Her heart beat just a little faster, and a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth when she saw Seth and Chester pull up in front of the general store.
For the last week, they’d had a routine. Seth brought his father into town around one each afternoon. Chester would sit on the bench with Delbert, carving and talking, while Seth lingered just long enough to make sure he was okay. Gomer parked himself beside Chester like a silent sentry.
Then Seth would head down the street and slip through the alley to her back door.
They’d visit. He always left by two, so she could close up and go for her daily run, but those forty- five minutes? They’d become something she quietly cherished.
There were no expectations with Seth. He didn’t know much about her past, at least, not the parts that haunted her.
Those haunting insecurities that had caused her to act out weren’t a memory for him.
He hadn’t seen the push and pull of her controlling grip over Ken.
He hadn’t witnessed her being a bitch to him.
He was a fresh canvas, a breath of fresh air, and with him, she could just be the Allison she’d fought hard to grow into.
Did she still slip into the insecurities?
Sure, every now and then, but she had a way to climb out of that spiral and stop the need to control events and people.
In those quiet minutes on her wooden back steps, sipping iced tea in the shade, laughing at his jokes or stories about dogs he’d handled, she felt something she hadn’t realized she’d missed until now.
Peace. She smiled and stared at him as he spoke.
Emotions were forming for her. Emotions that drew her to this man in a way she’d never experienced before.
Her heart tripped when she saw him, and she smiled at the thought.
It didn’t scare her to open herself up to him, and that feeling was freeing.
She’d started doing her closing chores earlier, just to make sure she had time for him. Even Edna Michaelson had come in early for her order, which was unusual, but she didn’t mind.
Today, she’d thrown out only a very small amount of food. Most of the sweets had been picked up by the church for Sunday service. The leftovers were still good, but per state rules, she either had to give them away or discard them before the expiration date.
Allison leaned against the front wall of her shop. Her chores were done, her till counted out and prepped for the morning.
She smiled as she watched Seth stand up.
The big shepherd stayed curled at Chester’s feet as the older man whittled with Delbert.
Chester’s hand gently patted the dog’s head now and then.
A sensation of warmth and happiness washed over her.
She wrapped her arms around herself and laughed freely.
She was falling for that man. Too quick?
Probably, but that was a worry for another time.
Seth turned and headed toward the alley, just like he always did.
Allison flipped the lock on the front door and hurried toward the back, her smile still lingering.
She opened the door and stopped in her tracks.
A girl, or maybe a young woman, stood at the trash can, holding the lid and digging through the contents .
Allison’s hand went to her chest.
“Excuse me,” she said, her voice sharp with surprise. “Can I help you?”
The woman jerked back, eyes wide. She dropped the lid and ran.
Just then, Seth rounded the corner. “Who was that?” Seth asked, stepping up beside her.
Allison shook her head. “I don’t know. I’ve never seen her before.”
“She didn’t look too good, did she?”
“No. She looked … dirty. Skinny. Really skinny. I should call Ken.”
“Where did she go?” Seth frowned and walked around the building. When he returned, he shook his head. “She’s gone. Not visible from anywhere. A regular Houdini.”
“She’s the one who’s been taking food from my trash,” Allison said, hands on her hips.
“What are you talking about?”
“For the past week, maybe more, I’ve noticed food disappearing. Only the bags with expired stuff. Nothing else touched. I don’t overbake, so it’s not much, but it’s always gone.”
Seth’s frown deepened. “You think she’s been living off what you’re throwing away?”
“I hope not,” Allison said, voice tight. “It’s not enough to keep a bird alive. Maybe I should start leaving a sandwich or something more.”
Seth crossed his arms over his chest. “This is a small town. I’m surprised no one’s seen her.”
“I haven’t been to the diner lately,” Allison admitted. “I’ve been swamped with prebaking for the Fall Festival. But that’s where the gossip lives.”
“Maybe we should head over,” Seth said. “You can keep an eye on the store from there, and Chester’s fine with Delbert. I’ll buy you a cup of coffee.”
Allison hesitated. “Edna’s probably still over there. If we walk in together, they’re going to say we’re dating.” An electric feeling zipped through her when he smiled and winked at her.
“That wouldn’t bother me in the slightest.” He grinned. “Which reminds me. Can I get your number? You know, for a text. Or a phone call.”
Allison stared at him, brows raised. Yep, emotions, all kinds of emotions, were doing the ping-pong-ping through her brain. “Are you serious?”
“Of course, I’m serious. I asked, didn’t I?”
She pulled her phone from her pocket, and her hands shook a little. “All right. Give me your number.”
He rattled it off, and she punched it in, sending a quick text to confirm.
“Thank you.” When his eyes dropped to her lips, she about fainted.
Flat-out falling on her face type of fainting.
A truck trundled down the street, breaking her from her trance.
“Oh, wait. I need to lock the back door, and I’ve got something for you.
” She sprinted back up the steps and into the break room.
Allison grabbed the lavender box, filled with little things she thought Seth, Chester, and especially Gomer might enjoy.
To be honest, most of it was for Gomer. Homemade, bone-shaped treats with dog-safe ingredients like sweet potatoes and blueberries. She’d never made dog biscuits before, but she hoped they turned out okay.
She came back out, locking the door behind her, and handed the box to Seth.
“What’s all this?”
“Something for you, Chester, and Gomer. Gomer gets the bone-shaped ones. Don’t eat them,” she said with a smirk. “I mean ... You could. But they’re not going to taste as good as the stuff I made for you two.”
Seth peeked into the box and chuckled. “You’re going to spoil us.”
“You know,” she said as they started walking, “as hard as you’re working with your dad, a little spoiling wouldn’t hurt.”
“Let’s go to the diner,” Seth said, tucking the box under his arm, placing his hand on her back. “I’ll take this back to the store later. No sense in confusing Chester right now.”
They crossed the street diagonally, waving at Phil and his nephew-in-law, Alex Thompson, who both owned and worked the repair shop and gas station.
The bell over the diner door chimed as they stepped inside.
Every head turned in their direction. Ken and Samantha were sitting in the booth immediately inside the door.
It was Ken’s usual booth, due to the easy exit if he had to respond to something.
Seth stopped and shook Ken’s hand, and then Ken introduced his wife.
“Ma’am,” Seth said after greeting her, “I’d like to schedule an appointment with you. Chester and I need to get his business in order.”
Samantha extended her hand, and Seth took it. Allison faded back a bit. No matter how kind Sam was and how many times Ken had forgiven her, being with both of them was an uncomfortable situation for her. It was her issue, not theirs.
“So nice to meet you, Seth. I have time next week, unless it’s something urgent?” She glanced across the street to where Chester, Delbert, and Gomer sat in the shade.
“No, ma’am. Next week is fine,” Seth assured her.
“Then how about Wednesday, about eleven?”
Seth glanced toward the window and nodded to his dad. “Would it be possible to make it closer to this time? I’m trying to keep him on a schedule. It seems to help.”
Sam nodded immediately. “Sure. One?”
“Perfect. Thank you for making time for us.” Seth smiled back at her. “And congratulations.”
“Thank you so much, we’re so excited, and it isn’t a problem at all.” Sam looked around him and smiled at her. “Allison, the pie you sent as congratulations was delicious. I don’t know how you make such flakey crust.”
Allison smiled. “Practice. Years and years of practice.”
“Well, it paid off,” Sam said and raised her coffee cup to Allison. “You’ve mastered the art.”
“Thank you, but we came over here to find some information. Since you’re here, I should probably tell you we may have an issue.
” She stepped forward a bit and lowered her voice.
“There was a girl, maybe a young woman, today who was digging in my trash can. I think she’s been taking some of the expired products from the trash can to eat. ”
Ken straightened and looked around. “Sit down for a moment, will you?” Seth slid into the seat across from Ken and Sam, placing the box alongside the window.
He glanced over to check in on his dad as Allison sat down, too.
Her leg touched his, and the feel of his hard muscles sent a little tingle of excitement through her, but Ken rerouted her thoughts with his question, “What are you talking about?”
Allison blinked and then leaned forward, lowering her voice, “For the last week, maybe a little longer, something has been getting into my garbage cans. The thing is, nothing is disturbed except the food I have to throw out because I can’t sell it or give it away.
Today I saw a girl at the trash can. She was bruised and so damn thin. Seth saw her, too.”