5 #2
at night bothered her even more.
Maybe staying with Addie wasn’t such a horrid idea—except that she didn’t want to bring trouble to anyone else. “I’ve considered
calling the police, but I don’t know what good it would do me. Mike hasn’t actually done anything—at least nothing I can prove.”
When Kam’s thumbs moved over her knuckles, she realized they were just sitting there, holding hands, and half the diner was
glancing at them.
“We’ve been putting on spectacles all day it seems.”
His mouth hitched. “Ed and Ted have sure taken notice.”
“Ed?”
“Ted’s brother, the cook.”
Oh. She looked toward the kitchen, and sure enough, the two brothers stood there, on opposite sides of a serving wall, gossiping.
“Come on.” Abruptly, Kam slid out of the booth. “Let’s get out of here. I think the rest of what I need to say will be better
said in private.”
“Okay, sure.” What did he have to say? Glory opened her purse to get money for a tip, then slipped the bills halfway under
her plate.
They had to go to the corner counter to pay, and Ed himself came strutting out. “How was your burger?”
“Delicious, thank you.”
“And those fries?”
“It was all wonderful. Next time I’m in, I want to try the club sandwich.”
Beaming, Ed leaned close and confided, “I have a special sauce. Top secret. It’s so good, you’ll like it more than—”
“Damn, Ed.” Kam stationed himself in front of Glory, as if to shield her from the jest. “Curb it, will you?”
Ed drew back. “None of your other girls minded a little raunchy joking.” He slanted a look at Glory. “She’s not like the others?”
“No.”
Grin widening, Ed turned to his brother. “Ted, she’s not like the others.”
“Already figured that out on my own.”
Glory waited for him to say that she was like family, but he didn’t, so she quickly reached around Kam and handed over her
credit card to pay. That got the brothers going again, and had her quickly explaining. “This is payback.”
Laughing even more, they elbowed each other.
Kam glared at Glory. “You see what you caused?”
Trying and failing to subdue her smile, she shrugged. Perhaps she should divert their attention. “This place has a great atmosphere.”
Incredulity had Kam turning to face her. “You like nonstop ribbing and inappropriate chatter?”
“I like friendliness and a laidback attitude. The diner would be a great place to incorporate into Tanner’s efforts.”
All three men gave her blank stares, but it didn’t deter Glory. To the brothers, she asked, “Are you aware of Tanner’s community
work?”
As he went back to cooking, Ed said, “Everyone knows.”
Ted added, “But it’s not only Tanner. Kam does his fair share of pitching in. Addie, too.”
“And soon my cousin will be helping out.” Glory wondered if there was a way she could also take part. Not that she knew much
about it, and she wasn’t sure she could offer much, but she’d love to try.
Until recently, her job within the luxury travel agency, owned by Callie’s parents, had been to ferret out new locations for
leisure activities at vacation destinations. For a while there, she’d been traveling nonstop, so there hadn’t been time for
her to consider pitching in. She’d never really had time to enjoy any of the locations because she was too busy analyzing,
making reports, and sharing her findings. Now, though, she realized her expertise might offer some value.
“This place—” she lifted a hand to indicate the entirety of the small diner “—along with the two of you, could teach a lot
to a young person.”
From the grill, Ed said, “I’m not sharing my secret sauce recipe with no one.”
“Naturally, not. But look at the experience you have at timing things. You just cooked and chatted simultaneously, and I know nothing will be overdone. That’s not something just anyone could do.”
Giving it some quick thought, Ed nodded. “I can also tell you the most popular meals, and ways to cut corners without losing
any flavor.”
“Brilliant,” Glory praised.
Eagerly watching her, Ted asked, “What about me? I manage this place.”
“You have a real knack for knowing your customers, for putting them at ease in a way that makes them feel like they’re dining
with friends or family.”
A blush crawled up the big man’s neck, his jowls, and even over his ears. “That’s just me,” he blustered. “I’ve always been
chatty. Kam will tell you so.”
But a new, more aware expression had dawned on Kam’s face. “She’s right. The two of you run a great business. Hell, you’ve
been here for . . . what? Fifteen years?”
“Twenty-two.” Tucking his thumbs into his waistband, Ted rocked back on his heels. “I’d just turned twenty-nine and Ed was
twenty-six when we inherited the place. It was nice then, but we had plans.”
Ed looked up with a smile. “Boy, did we. Spent two whole nights up thinking of things we’d keep the same and things we’d update.”
“Took a lot of elbow grease to get it exactly as we wanted it.”
“Didn’t have a lot of money to invest,” Ed added. “Had to do a lot of the work ourselves, but others in the neighborhood helped
out.”
Full of pride, Ted put back his shoulders. “They wanted to keep it around, and God love ’em all, they cheered us on.”
“We’re part of the community.” Ed lifted his spatula in a salute, then slid two full plates onto the counter for the waitress to grab. “Been around too long to just let it disappear.”
“That’s my point.” Hoping they’d go along with the idea, Glory smiled at the men. “You two would make great mentors.”
Kam immediately backed her up. “You guys really would. You know you could use the extra help, and Tanner and I would appreciate
it.”
“Well, now.” When he glanced back at Ed, Ted got his nod of agreement. “I reckon we could take on two young people. One could
spend some time working with me, seeing how I do the books and such, while the other was with Ed. Then after a few weeks,
we could trade.”
“That way,” Ed called out, “they’d know the entire business.”
“Not just for restaurant work,” Glory clarified as she caught their enthusiasm. She didn’t want the young people to feel pigeonholed,
and at the same time she wanted Ed and Ted to realize the valuable lessons they could teach. “They’d be learning good management
skills and organization.”
The men agreed.
Totally on board now, Kam promised to share the info with Tanner and said one of them would be back in touch very soon.
“Looks like Kam was right,” Ted commented.
Unsure what he meant, Glory cocked her head to the side and waited.
“You really are different.” He clapped Kam on the shoulder again. “We expect you to bring her around more often.”
“I’ll bring myself around.” Glory didn’t want Kam put on the spot. “Thank you. Both of you. This has been . . . enlightening.”
With a broad knowing smile, Kam put his hand to the small of her back, and together, they walked out.
Glory liked the diner. She enjoyed Ed and Ted. The entire town was like a breath of fresh air, a different pace with fewer
expectations.
Most of all, she liked Kam, more than she’d thought possible.
When had they gone from silent adversaries to allies against a potential risk?
Mike’s obsession was scary, but her new relationship with Kam was the best thing to happen to her in a very, very long time.
All in all, she’d call it a win.
Relieved that he didn’t need to finagle an invite inside, Kam followed along as Callie continued their conversation on mentoring
programs. She had great ideas that would benefit the kids without intruding on their privacy.
They’d discussed it on the drive, and during a quick stop at the grocery store.
“Many of the kids are withdrawn, angry, antagonistic.” Just as he’d been. “It takes a little work to get them to open up enough
to want to try.” A few of them would rather spit on a friendly hand than accept it.
“That’s so sad.” After unlocking the front door and stepping inside, Glory took one of the grocery bags from him. “It’s sometimes
hard to trust when you’ve been hurt.”
Just because Kam knew that firsthand didn’t mean he wanted Glory to be the same. “Some of them only know disappointment, never
acceptance. Others . . .” For others, it was far, far worse.
Busying himself by closing and relocking the door, he considered the right way to say things.
When he turned, he almost slammed into Glory. She hadn’t budged when he’d thought she’d gone into the kitchen. The bag fell from her hand with a clatter, vegetables and fruits falling out. He had to do some quick juggling to catch her and hang on to his own bag of groceries.
Breathless, she stared up at him. “Sorry. What you said just caught me.”
Taking his time, Kam lowered the bag to the floor so his hands would be free. His palms tingled even before they touched the
bare skin of her shoulders, up to her throat. As his gaze took in every nuance of her alert expression, he slipped his fingers
into her hair.
Giving up with a groan, Glory went on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his.
Heaven. No other woman could pack the same emotional and physical punch. Kam gathered her close, immediately scooping one hand beneath
her bottom and lifting her so they were pelvis to pelvis.
Her arms wrapped around him, her mouth open and hot. Damn. She caught fire fast and that caused him to go up in flames, too.
Nearly tripping over the groceries on the floor, Kam turned to pin her to the wall, almost displacing the large mirror. “Sorry,”
he muttered.
She caught his mouth again, her tongue tasting as she rolled her hips into him.
There were no words. None. He needed her right now.
Absently, he booted aside a head of lettuce and what might have been a tomato so he could plant his feet. Her summer top lifted
easily, making it easy to cup a breast. Firm, round, and just the right size for his hands.
Freeing her mouth on a deep inhale, eyes closed and skin flushed, she tilted her head to the side. No objections, and in fact,
her fingertips dug into his shoulders, spurring him on.