Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“ D o you know anything more about McKenna?” Flora inquired, settling into her chair.
“No bail, that’s all I know. I wouldn’t have given him the money to bail himself out anyway.” Stewart shrugged. “He’s looking at a lengthy prison sentence. I still don’t understand all of it. Why did he need so much money all of a sudden?”
Flora opened her mouth, but Stewart held up a hand and put her off.
“Don’t even suggest I go talk to him.”
Flora released a sigh and shook her head. “Stewart, I was not going to suggest anything like that. He’s your brother and you’ll forgive him someday, but that doesn’t mean he has to be a part of your life. You have the right to decide, just like everyone else does.”
“Everyone else?”
“The rest of the McKeegans. There should be no judgment, no matter who wants to maintain a relationship with McKenna or not.”
He ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m almost caught up with the finances. Katie has taken over the fundraiser. We’ll be cutting it close, but we think it’s doable. Two more weeks. I swear I lose time in that office.”
“Aren’t you glad to be back in your old office?”
“Maybe, yes. This place seems too big now. I don’t know why.” But he did know why. It was Aurora’s absence.
“You might be able to find her again,” Flora suggested.
“It wasn’t meant to be between us. We were just friends anyway. I wish her well.”
“That’s better than good riddance.” Flora laughed.
“Good riddance?”
“You used to say that about the women you dated. You broke many hearts and when I’d ask you about it, you’d say good riddance.”
He grimaced. “Aurora was different. I need to get to work. Good chat this morning.” He wiped his mouth with his napkin before he stood and walked to his office.
Sitting at his desk, he stared at the computer. He did care. All he knew was Aurora never went back to her mother’s house. According to the detective he’d hired, there was almost no furniture in the place. The house was in her mother’s name. The authorities seized everything that wasn’t. It still would never be enough to pay people back. Once he knew she wasn’t there, he told the detective to stop looking.
She’d left without saying goodbye. Her decision. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but he didn’t have a choice.
He glanced at the picture of Eion McKeegan. Would he have forgiveness for anyone that put the ranch at risk? He looked like a tough cowboy, but there had been stories of his kindness. What about Eion’s son Aiden? Would he have driven one of his brothers off the ranch? He’d wager there were times he wanted to.
Stewart shook his head and chuckled. The pain was too raw, too recent to allow any other feeling but betrayal. Who knew what the future would bring?
As we forgive those who trespass against us .
Nothing was ever easy.
Two other customers complained about Aurora working at the café, and Ruby Lou showed them the door. No one had ever protected her that way before, except… She shook her head to clear her thoughts. It was best not to think about him.
He invaded her dreams. She didn’t need him invading her days.
In the last two weeks, she’d been asked out too many times. She politely turned them all down. Now when someone asked, the customers waited for her to decline before they all laughed good-naturedly.
Small town living was joyous. Her parents had never been ones for church, but she joined and met the pastor. He was a very nice married man who didn’t mind questions. Not one person made comments about her in church. They weren’t all friendly, but that was fine.
She saw the McKeegans there. Well, some of them. Stewart was never present. They pretended they didn’t know her, which was just as well. It hurt, but she could easily deal with it compared to what she’d been through.
The fundraiser was tomorrow, and she debated about going, but fortunately, she was needed at the café.
Her self-sufficiency brought her feelings of self-worth. She was a strong woman who didn’t need anyone to make her feel safe, though Stewart’s arms around her were a wonderful memory.
The bell on the door thunked . Turning toward it, she internally groaned. Glen Brewer was at the café once again. Three times a day.
“Howdy Aurora! How’s my favorite waitress?” He smiled and sat at the counter. He always sat at the counter and tried to vie for her attention.
He removed his hat and put it on the seat next to him. He always did that, so no one would sit next to him. Fewer people at the counter.
“I’ll be right with you,” she said as she grabbed the coffee pot and went table to table refilling the coffee.
Why did he ignore her clear rejection and still insist on taking her out?
“What can I get for you?” Using his name was too personal.
“How about a movie tonight?” How he always sounded so hopeful was a puzzle.
“I’m tired at the end of the day. What can I get for you?” She grabbed a clean coffee mug from the shelf below the counter and filled it up.
“Thanks. You know how I like it.”
Her gaze fixed on the empty coffee pot and her jaw clenched tightly. Inhaling deeply, she began brewing a new pot.
“Did you want anything to eat?”
“I’m trying to decide.”
He said the same thing every day. It took a long time to decide while he watched her. He was a nice-looking man, and she’d thought him well-mannered before he started his creepy behavior.
When she went to grab an order, she could feel his stare and it continued while she served it.
“Clinton, this burger looks mighty tempting. Can I get you anything else?”
Clinton smiled. “Did Ruby Lou make apple pie today?”
She laughed. “You know she did. I’ll bring you a piece when you’re finished with your burger.”
“Thanks, Aurora.”
Clinton was fond of Ruby Lou’s pie—and of Ruby Lou. They had a nice friendship. Clinton came for lunch most days, and he knew Ruby Lou’s schedule by heart. He ordered lunch and by the time he was on to his pie, Ruby would sit with him and spend the last fifteen minutes of her lunch break chatting.
“Aurora, must you always smile at men like that?” Glen asked, sounding irritated.
“Have you decided?” She gave Glen one of her stellar smiles.
“It’s just that other men might get the wrong idea when you fall all over them.” He stared at her.
“Just doing my job.”
He nodded. “My order will be a cheeseburger with fries. You know how I like it.”
“One cheeseburger and fries coming up.”
She walked into the kitchen and sagged against the wall.
“Do you want me to talk to him?” Gus asked. Gus was the cook during the lunch shift most days.
“He’s harmless. He’s just annoying. Anyway, one cheeseburger medium and fries extra crispy.”
“Got it.”
Once again behind the counter, she automatically refilled everyone’s coffee.
“Why did you refill mine last?” Glen asked.
“I wasn’t aware there was a certain order.” She turned her back, put the coffee pot down, and grabbed a dessert plate. After she carefully cut a piece of apple pie, she walked out to Clinton.
“Thank you,” Clinton said.
“Is he here again?” Ruby Lou asked.
“Sounds to me he’s getting possessive,” Clinton commented.
“I can handle it. Enjoy your pie.”
Could she handle it? It was more difficult each day. But did she have a choice?
She went back into the kitchen and grabbed Glen’s order.
“Here you go.” She set the plate down.
“You didn’t ask if I wanted anything else.”
“I haven’t had a chance, Glen.”
He seemed to calm somewhat when she said his name.
“You didn’t work last night,” he commented.
“No, Ruby Lou finally hired another waitress. I don’t know how she handled it herself for so long.”
“I came in last night.”
“Oh? Did you enjoy the potpie? Sandy’s such a sweetheart, isn’t she?” Aurora focused on cleaning the countertop.
“I didn’t stay. If you’re not working tonight, then we can go out.”
The kitchen door opened, and Gus came out. He nodded at Glen. “How’s the burger?”
“It’s good, thanks.”
“Aurora, you’ll be by tonight?” Gus asked.
“Yes, of course.” What was Gus up to?
Gus turned toward Glen. “Aurora is helping me remodel my house.”
Glen scowled. “I thought you were too tired.”
“She is a hard worker. We’re just at the planning stage. Looking at styles and colors. My walls have always been white, and I need a change.” Gus nodded at Glen and went back to the kitchen.
Turning to slice a piece of pie, a grin spread across her face. It took a minute before she was ready to turn back and face Glen. This was getting out of hand.
Lifting the plate that had held his meal, she said, “Here’s your pie,” and placed it in front of him.
“I’m surprised you have any idea about style,” he commented, with a hint of disbelief.
Refusing to take the bait, she grabbed the coffee pot and made the rounds, refilling mugs. Returning, she put the pot down.
“I mean, look at you. You dress like a pauper. Everything is cheap and much too baggy.”
A pauper? Good, that was the look she was going for. Clothes to blend in with everyone. She didn’t say a word.
Stepping away, she stacked the menus and began to wipe down each one. It was surprising how sticky they became every day. If he didn’t leave by the time she was finished, she had plenty of utensils to roll up in paper napkins.
“You probably won’t be here tomorrow with the Community Fund Raiser and all. I’ll look for you there. What time should we meet?”
He just didn’t get it. What was wrong with him?
“What time sounds good to you?” she asked.
“Nine will be fine with me. I’ll see you then.” He winked and left her a twenty.
Taking the twenty, she went to get him change, but he walked out. He left a nice tip, but what did he expect for it? Shivering, she rang up the sale and put the change in her pocket.
How was she supposed to handle him? He was bound to be mad when she didn’t show up tomorrow. What constituted harassment? Her sheltered life hadn’t given her any experience in the nuisance department.
“He sure is sweet on you!” Ruby Lou exclaimed. “He comes from a good family, you know.”
“No, I didn’t know.” Ruby Lou liked him?