Chapter 6
Chapter Six
ROMILLY
The smell of freshly brewed coffee and warm breakfast fills the cozy, sunlit space of the Harvest Valley soup kitchen. The soft yellow walls make the whole space feel uplifting, along with the warm light fixtures hanging overhead, casting an inviting glow across the room.
“Remember me?” The question carries softly through the quiet hum of conversation and the occasional laughter from our volunteers.
I look up from behind the long serving table, and my face brightens at the sight. It’s the homeless man from the other day—the one I gave a few dollars to and promised a hot breakfast if he showed up on Tuesday—which is today.
“Herman! You came!”
He nods, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. His worn jacket hangs from his body as he takes in the neat rows of folding tables and chairs, where early guests are already seated. Smacking his lips subconsciously, his eyes flick toward the spread of food. “Sure did. And I’m hungry, too.”
“Well, you came to the right place. Would you like a little bit of everything?”
He nods, and I grab the long ladle, dipping it into the pot of steaming, cinnamon-scented oatmeal. I spoon a generous portion into a sturdy, disposable bowl, then add a plate of crispy bacon, fluffy scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit.
Herman takes the plate. “If you don’t mind me asking, how can you afford to hand out free food like this? Who’s paying for it?”
“The members of our congregation donate so we can do all kinds of things.” I smile at him. “Because of them, we’re able to help support families in need, reach people in other countries who are living in poverty, and serve breakfast for lovely people like yourself.”
His round, fuzzy cheeks grow rosy. “Thank you. Where do I go now?”
I point to the door at my right, on the other side of the counter. “Men’s group is right through that door if you’d like to join them. There’s plenty of food in there as well. Otherwise, you’re welcome to eat in here and go about your day after.”
“Men’s group?”
“Yeah. I’m happy to walk you over if you’d like.”
Herman pauses, his brow furrowed as he thinks it over, then smiles softly. “Okay. Sure, I’d like that.”
“Awesome.” I untie my apron and set it on the counter beside me. Turning to the group of high schoolers volunteering in the kitchen with me, I give them a quick nod. “I’ll be right back.”
I meet Herman on the other side of the counter.
We walk through the doorway leading to the adjacent room together.
As we step inside, we’re greeted by a few smiles, along with rows of mismatched but comfortable chairs, and a few round tables scattered throughout the space.
Coffee cups, open Bibles, and half-eaten pastries rest on the tables like evidence of a successful morning.
I can’t deny that there’s a warmth to this room that feels like a gathering at a friend’s house rather than a formal meeting. As usual, there are too many familiar faces from Sunday services here for it to feel any other way.
I gesture for Herman to follow me toward a table where Hayden, the youth pastor, is sitting with a small group of men. His expression brightens when he sees us, and he stands, brushing his hands down his plaid shirt and jeans as he grins. “Romilly!”
“Hayden, this is my new friend, Herman.” I watch them shake hands and grin. “Do you have a seat for him, by chance?”
“Of course.” Hayden gestures to the remaining seat at his table, and the two of them start up a conversation.
I make my way back to the kitchen next door, but stop when I literally feel someone’s gaze on me.
My eyes dart up and land directly on Bash’s.
He’s leaning against a wall off to the side of the room, wearing khaki pants and a white button-up with the sleeves rolled back from his heavily tattooed forearms. The way he’s watching me with such intensity makes it hard to look away.
We stare at each other for an embarrassingly long moment. Then he lifts the corner of his mouth and offers me a small wave.
I walk over to him.
As I approach, I take a deep breath. Why does he have to be so attractive?
He crosses his arms once I’m standing right in front of him. “Fancy seeing you here.”
“Why are you standing all by yourself?”
“Mr. Turner needed a chair more than I did.” He nods toward the full table closest to us where old Mr. Turner is eating his breakfast. Guilt slices through me as I notice all the chairs in the room are taken. I make a mental note to bring an extra one in for Bash.
“It’s nice to see you again,” he says, breaking me away from my thoughts. “But I could have sworn you said men’s breakfast was for men.” He grins at me. It’s the kind of teasing smile that feels like a secret between us, and it makes my heart flutter.
“It is. I’m working in the kitchen today.”
He arches an eyebrow. “How many jobs do you have?”
“Too many. Now if you’ll excuse me, I should probably get back to this one.” And now would be the moment to walk away. Any minute now. Go, legs, go!
Bash shoves his hands in his pockets, that huge grin still plastered to his face. “Well, what about after?”
“I’m grooming dogs after.”
His smile fades, brows drawing together. “Do you work seven days a week?”
“Six, actually. I always take one day a week off, but I pack the rest of them full. And it’s fine.
I like working.” I shrug like I’m unbothered, but the truth is that I have no choice, especially now that Lana’s gone.
There’s no way I can afford to take any more time off until Agatha, my old groomer, comes back.
“You should take the rest of the day off and hang out with me instead.” The low, charming way he says it makes nerves shoot to my toes.
His eyes are locked on mine, and it’s hard to think straight.
I can’t imagine what it would be like to do something so careless, but I can’t deny the idea excites me.
I shake my head. “Sorry. We can hang out at work tomorrow.”
He laughs. “Fine. I know a rejection when I hear one.” But he doesn’t look at all defeated. If anything, he only looks fascinated. He studies my face with a small smile that makes blood rush to my face.
“I’m...I’m not rejecting you. I’m just busy.
Which reminds me—your background check came back great, so you’re now not only my employee, but a Harvest Valley Church camp counselor.
So, I’ll see you tomorrow morning at The Paw Spa.
” I don’t give him a chance to retort, and as I head back to the kitchen, I replay his words in my head.
You should take the rest of the day off and hang out with me instead.
Ugh. What is it about him that makes me kinda want to?
The last thing I need is another man tricking me into liking him, or getting me to trust him, only to let me down in the end.
Bash may be handsome, but he’s exactly the kind of man I need to avoid.
He’s a professional MMA fighter, and practically textbook for: I’m a bad boy and I will break your heart.
If I could, I’d stay far away from him. But unfortunately, he happens to be my new dog bather, and without him, I might have another failed business on my hands. Since he needs my help too, there’s not really anywhere for me to run.
Jasper eyes me curiously when I get home. It’s like he knows I brought him a treat, even though I double-bagged the pumpkin loaf I bought from Old Joe’s Diner before I stuck it in my purse.
“Hey, buddy.” I scratch his head before I even cross the threshold.
Jasper paws at my hand and sniffs the autumn air wafting in from the open door.
I come in and close it before he can get any ideas about manipulating me into letting him be an outdoor cat.
He already gets supervised outings every night, but knowing him, he’ll try to push it.
He’s currently wearing a bright orange sweater from Iris Lily, my favorite boutique in town.
Though Jasper has been known to attack random strangers without warning, part of the reason I love this cat so much is he’ll let me put him in whatever ridiculous costume I desire, even hats, as long as I pay him treats as compensation.
As I feed him the pumpkin loaf, my best friend, Addison, calls me. I lift the phone to my ear. “Hey, Adds.”
She responds with a sigh.
“Uh oh. What’s wrong? Is married life giving you trouble?”
“Oh, no. The married part is still amazing. But the stepmom part?” She sighs again with exasperation. “I think I’m failing.”
“What are you talking about? Your bonus kids love you.” I’ve never seen four children adore their nanny-turned-stepmom as much as I’ve seen Perry’s children fall head over heels for Addison.
“Today, when I asked Izzy to clean her room, she told me she didn’t have to listen to me because I’m not her mom.”
“Oh, Addy.”
“And then later she apologized and burst into tears, telling me she’s just scared I love baby Marina more than her and her siblings because I’m Marina’s ‘real’ mom.”
“That’s so sad. I hope you reassured her that’s not true.”
“Of course I did,” she says. “But now I’m feeling like maybe she should know more about her biological mother. Like, she should know I’m never going to abandon her like that.”
I bite my lip. “As much as I hate to admit it, I’m with Izzy. It’s hard to trust people when your situation feels too good to be true.”
The line goes silent. “Are you referring to Cole?”
“Hey, you know we don’t speak his name. But yes.”
“Cole is an idiot. Not all men are like that, Romilly.”
I want to laugh and agree with her, to tell her I’m just kidding, that I know Cole was an exception. A bad seed in a barrel of gems. But to say any of that would be a lie, because I don’t believe it.
“Um, I’ll call you later, okay? Jasper wants his outside time really bad.”
Because we’re so close, she definitely knows it’s an excuse. But like the amazing friend she is, she doesn’t call me out on it. “Okay, talk to you soon.”
I hang up and glare at Jasper when he meows at me expectantly. “I know, I know. You do actually want your outside time.”
He cocks his head sideways in response. I’m about to walk him to the backyard, where the fence is high enough for me to intercept any escape ideas he might have, when I notice Zara lounging on the couch in my living room, wearing my purple bathrobe and satin eye-mask.
Anyone who’s never met her would probably think she’s me because of how similar we look.
“What in the world are you doing here?”
“Oh, you know. Just hanging out.”
“That’s creepy, Zara.”
She feigns offense. “You’re the one who left your back door unlocked. And you should be thanking me, because I finally decided to return those cute jeans you loaned me, but you weren’t here.” She studies me, searching my face. “You good?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Anytime you talk to Addison these days, you start moping after. I couldn’t help but observe this time was no exception.”
“Moping? I’m not moping.”
“You’re definitely moping.” She offers me a pitying smile. “It’s okay if you want to be in a relationship, you know. You can admit it.”
“That’s the last thing I want.”
“Really, Romilly.” She bites her lip, traces of humor fading. “You’ve had a weird chip on your shoulder for about a year now. And according to my calculations…that’s around the time you and Cole broke up.”
“I’d like to not talk about this anymore, Z. Please.”
She worries her lip as she studies me, contemplating.
And then she nods. “Fine. But I’m here to talk if you need me.
I know you have Addison, but I’m here too if you need someone less…
happy.” She gives me a knowing smile and fluffs her curly hair.
“Anyways, your jeans are in your room. I’ll get out of your house, now. ”
“Thanks.” I walk her out and give her a hug. “It’s still creepy the way you keep appearing out of nowhere.”
“I’m nothing if not creepy,” she says, a teasing glint in her brown eyes. “And your reactions are always worth it.”
I snort, because no one would ever guess how much Zara enjoys getting a rise out of me by her sweet demeanor. I don’t even make her take off my bathrobe before she gets in her car because I know she’ll be back when I least expect, claiming she’s here to return it.
When she’s gone, I take Jasper to the backyard.
I don’t even have to motion him to follow me.
He’s used to our night routine. When I open the chipped, white single door leading out, he’s practically sprinting.
I sit on the wooden rocking chair on the porch while Jasper sniffs grass, rolls around, and sharpens his claws on the same post of the wooden fence as usual.
The wood is splitting now from all the fun he’s had with it.
I take a deep breath, shutting my eyes against the cool wind stinging my face. And I hear Zara’s words again.
It’s okay if you want to be in a relationship, you know. You can admit it.
Out here, beneath the dark sky speckled with glittering stars, I can be honest with myself for once. I can admit the truth, pathetic as it is.
Zara is right.
I’m lonely, and I hate it.
Despite my efforts to stay busy with work, surround myself with fluffy critters, and volunteer nonstop at church, there's still a void—a longing to share my busy life with someone else.
I can’t help but remember the way Cole’s soothing presence, his kind voice, and his gentle touch all contributed to me trusting him and believing him when he told me my lack of experience didn’t bother him, and neither did my desire to wait until marriage.
And then I remember the night I discovered Cole left Meadow Hills to visit the woman in Bar Harbor he’d been secretly seeing our entire relationship.
Jasper rubs against my leg, purring. I break away from the memory with relief. “Men are scoundrels, aren’t they, buddy? You’re the only one worth knowing, aren’t you?”
He arches his back as an answer. I comb my fingers through his yellow and black fur, letting the texture calm me. Maybe these feelings are resurfacing because of a certain someone I just met who also has a smooth voice, a charming smile, and convincing words.
I may be lonely, but in my opinion, it’s better than being naive. And I’ve simply learned too much to ever trust another man.
Especially one like Sebastian Black.