Chapter 3 - Tom #2
"No. But I know what it's like to be new in a strange town with no one to turn to.
When I first moved here, Murphy fed me half-price meals for three months until I got on my feet.
Casey at the garage fixed my car for cost when I couldn't afford his regular rates.
People helped me. Now I help people. That's how it works in Blackwater Falls. "
She's quiet, absorbing this. Jackson has wandered closer, looking up at me with those big brown eyes.
"Do you have dinosaurs?" he asks.
"What?"
"Dinosaurs. Do you have any? Rex wants to meet other dinosaurs."
I crouch down, getting on his level. "I don't have any at home. But I bet the library has books about dinosaurs. Have you been to a library before?"
Jackson's eyes go wide. "A whole building full of books?"
"Yep. And they let you borrow them for free. Take them home, read them, bring them back when you're done."
"Mommy!" He spins around, nearly dropping Rex in his excitement. "Can we go to the library? Please?"
Claire's expression has softened, just a fraction. She's watching me with her son, and some of that wariness has faded.
"Maybe later, baby. We have a lot to do today."
"The library's over on Oak Street," I say, standing up. "Mrs. Walker runs it. She's great with kids. Has a whole section just for dinosaur books."
"You have an answer for everything, don't you?" There's no heat in Claire's words. Almost sounds like she's fighting a smile.
"Part of the job. Sheriff's supposed to know his town."
"Is checking on random motel guests at dawn also part of the job?"
Caught. I feel my neck heat up, grateful for the dim morning light that might hide the flush.
"Honestly? No. I just..." I pause, trying to figure out how to explain without sounding like a creep. "I wanted to make sure you were okay. You looked pretty overwhelmed yesterday, and I know the Harlow place was a disappointment. Figured you might need someone to point you in the right direction."
"And you just happened to have a job lead ready to go?"
"I made a phone call last night. The rest is just knowing my town." I meet her eyes. "Look, I'm not trying to intrude. If you want me to leave you alone, just say so. But if you need help, with anything, I meant what I said yesterday. You're not alone here."
She studies me for another long moment. I can see her weighing it, fighting against instincts that tell her not to trust anyone.
Finally, she nods. "Okay."
"Okay?"
"Okay, I'll go talk to Murphy this afternoon. And maybe we'll check out the library." She pauses. "Thank you. For the job lead. And for... for caring enough to check on us."
"You're welcome," I manage.
Jackson tugs on my pants leg. "Will you show us where the bakery is? Rex really wants a muffin."
I look at Claire, asking permission without words. She hesitates, then nods.
"I can do that," I say. "But only if you promise to tell me your favorite dinosaur on the way."
"T-Rex!" Jackson announces immediately. "Because they're the biggest and strongest and have the most teeth!"
"That's a good choice. You know what my favorite is?"
"What?"
"Triceratops. Because sometimes being strong isn't about having the biggest teeth. Sometimes it's about standing your ground."
Jackson considers this seriously. "That's pretty cool too."
Claire is definitely fighting a smile now. "Come on, dinosaur experts. Let's get some breakfast before Rex stages a rebellion."
We walk toward my truck, Jackson chattering between us about various dinosaur facts. I open the back door and help him get buckled in while Claire slides into the passenger seat.
The drive to the bakery takes less than five minutes.
Jackson fills the silence with a steady stream of dinosaur trivia, which ones could swim, which ones had the longest necks, which ones were herbivores versus carnivores.
I find myself responding, asking questions, genuinely interested in what this four-year-old has to say.
When was the last time I had a conversation this easy? This uncomplicated?
I pull up in front of the bakery, Sarah's Sweet Shop, the hand-painted sign reads, and Jackson practically vibrates with excitement.
"Can we get two muffins?" he asks his mother. "One for me and one for Rex?"
"Rex doesn't eat, baby."
"But he wants to smell it!"
Claire laughs and the sound is so unexpected, so genuine, that I find myself smiling too.
"Fine. Two muffins. But you're eating both of them."
Inside, the bakery smells like sugar and butter and fresh-baked bread. Sarah Bennett stands behind the counter, gray hair pulled back in a bun, flour dusting her apron. She's been running this place for thirty years, and her muffins are legendary.
"Tom Harris!" She beams at me. "And who's this handsome young man?"
"This is Jackson," I say. "And his mom, Claire. They're new in town."
Sarah's expression shifts immediately to pure welcome. "Well, isn't that wonderful! We always love new faces. What can I get for you folks?"
Jackson presses his face against the display case. "Do you have chocolate?"
"Do I have chocolate," Sarah repeats, mock-offended. "Young man, I have the best chocolate muffins in three counties. And if you're very good, I might even have some chocolate milk to go with it."
Claire steps forward, pulling cash from her pocket. "Two muffins and a chocolate milk, please. And coffee, if you have it."
"Best coffee in town," Sarah says, already moving. "Tom, your usual?"
"Just coffee today, thanks."
While Sarah prepares the order, Jackson wanders over to look at the pastries in the window display.
"Thank you," she says. "For this. For all of it. I know I keep saying that, but I mean it."
"You don't have to keep thanking me."
"I do, though." She turns to look at me. "I can't remember the last time someone helped me without wanting something in return."
What kind of life has she been living? What kind of people has she been surrounded by?
"I don't want anything," I say. "Except maybe to see you and Jackson settled and safe. That's all."