Chapter 5
Kayla
The bruising doesn’t, in fact, heal quickly.
By Friday, it’s a nice shade of greenish yellow; but that means it’s at the end.
I debate wearing a long-sleeve shirt, but it’s too hot.
And honestly, it’s been too busy at the café for anybody to notice.
It’s one of those weeks where it’s too hot to cook at home, so everyone in town comes to Mama May’s.
I’m not complaining because it’s been good for me for tips.
“You ready?” I ask Noah as I finish throwing my hair on top of my head in a messy bun that will hopefully hold for the day.
I take in Noah’s pants and frown. “Bud, it’s like a hundred degrees outside. Don’t you want to wear shorts?”
“No.”
I debate pushing the issue; but we need to get moving, or we’re going to miss our ride.
“Okay, let’s go.” I grab my wallet and phone and pocket my keys after locking the door behind me.
The humidity in the hall is suffocating.
When we step outside, it isn’t much better; but at least the sun is out.
We start towards the neighborhood a few blocks away, where Jessie will pick us up. Thankfully, we don’t have to wait.
“Hey, Guys,” she calls out through the open window. “Get in out of the heat.” The air conditioning feels good as we settle in. “It’s going to be a hot one today.”
“Yeah, it is; but at least the sun’s out,” I say as I buckle.
“Hey, Noah,” Jessie says, looking in the rearview.
“Hey,” he mumbles. Thankfully, she doesn’t let it bother her.
“I’m going to call the shop today and check on my car, so you don’t have to keep playing chauffer.”
She waves me off. “It’s fine.”
When she parks in the parking lot, she throws her hair into a high ponytail and turns to me. “You think we’ll get to work a full shift today?”
“We’d better. And listen, if not, just let me get an Uber. You don’t need to cut your hours short just because some crazies are looking for me.”
Jessie grins. “Okay.”
“I’m serious,” I tell her as I climb out and wait for Noah.
“Got it,” she calls out and walks towards the café.
“She’s totally going to leave early if I have to,” I say out loud.
Noah nods. “Yep.”
I shake my head. “Hey, just be ready if we have to get out fast.”
“Do you think it’s really Uncle Ben sending somebody?” Noah asks quietly.
“I don’t know,” I answer honestly. “But Butch has been looking out for us. He won’t let anything happen to us.
” That seems to appease him. The blast of cold air from the air conditioning hits as soon as we step inside, and I let it cool me.
I’m so thankful that Mama May is always hot because she keeps this place like an icebox.
“It’s been crazy busy, but I’ll try to check in with you when I can. ”
“I’m fine, Kayla,” he says quietly. He slides into a small table out of the way and gets out his books. I run my hand over his head and for a moment let regret fill me, regret that he doesn’t have a life like a normal seven-year-old boy.
I force the negative thoughts aside. “I know; I’ll bring you a glass of ice water.” I head to the back to grab an apron and water for Noah and clock in. I haven’t even made it to my first table when Jessie comes towards me, eyes wide. I know what she’s going to say before she says it.
“They’re here.”
Butch appears from the kitchen and cocks his head towards the back door. “Go.”
I glance over my shoulder but can’t see the newcomers from this angle.
I look at Jessie and then back at Butch.
I can’t leave now; I’ll miss a whole day’s pay.
And I just can’t right now, not with the three hundred I had to pay and a looming car payment.
I won’t do that to Jessie either. “It’s fine; I’ll deal with them. ”
Jessie’s eyes widen. “What if they’re here on your uncle’s behalf?”
“Then he already knows I’m here.” I grab my notepad; my mind is made up. I’ll deal with these guys so nobody else has to.
Butch gives me a slow nod. “You need me; you call for me.”
My heart pinches. “Thanks, Butch. I will.”
Mama May walks over to me. “Those two are here again.”
“I’m going to deal with them,” I tell her.
She gives me one of her looks. “Okay. Don’t make a scene.”
“I won’t.” Then I throw my shoulders back and head over to the tables around the corner.
It's high time I deal with them. This has gone on long enough. When I finally get a look at the two men who’ve caused all this trouble, I falter in my steps.
The picture I saw of them didn’t quite do them justice.
They’re both big guys, but the one on the right looks like he just walked out of the woods.
All he needs is an axe. I’ve never been a fan of the mountain man look, but if anybody could pull it off, this guy is doing it somehow.
Suddenly, electric blue eyes meet mine; and my feet stop moving.
I manage to get ahold of myself and walk the remaining distance to the table, but it feels like I’m walking through quicksand.
I finally stop at their table and force my gaze to the other man sitting at the table.
He’s no less notable with dark hair and broad shoulders and eyes that are simply brown, not the shocking blue of the guy across the table from him.
I remember why I came over here and force my voice to work.
“If you’re here on my uncle’s behalf, then you can go right back where you came from.
Noah and I are staying here, and there’s nothing he can do to change that.
And if he tries, I have friends this time that won’t let that happen.
I won’t allow him to hurt us ever again.
” Anger builds inside me as I speak, anger at my uncle.
“My brother and I will never go back to him, so you can just hightail it back to him and tell him that.” I finally breathe and then remember where I’m at.
A quick glance around the restaurant shows that most people missed my little showdown.
The two men are silent, but it’s the one on the right that makes me nervous.
“What uncle?” he grounds out in a low, raspy voice.
Those two words, spoken in that tone, make me go very still.
There’s something about this man that makes me believe he is much more dangerous than my uncle ever was.
I find myself taking a step backwards. I glance down at his hand and see it’s clenched around the steak knife so tightly, his knuckles are white.
True fear floods me, and I take another step back, ready to flee.
He must catch my intent because he suddenly drops the knife and stands, pushing his chair back with a screech. “Wait.”
It’s obviously an order, one that I have no intention of obeying. “We’re not here on behalf of your uncle,” the dark-haired one says. “We have no idea who he is.”
I take in his words and search for any untruth. “Then why are you here? Why are you looking for me? And don’t pretend that you aren’t, because I know you were asking about me.” I cross my arms over my chest, and the red-head tracks the movement.
“What happened to your arm?”
It’s now the second question he’s asked, and this one sounds just as scary as the first one. I drop my arm, moving it behind me. “I’m just clumsy. Now why are you here and what do you want with me?”
“Kayla Darling,” Mama May says, stopping next to me. “You’re not causing a scene in my restaurant, right?” she asks in a voice too soft to be heard by the men.
I swallow. “No. I was just getting ready to take their order.”
“Good.” She moves past, and I take out my notepad. I notice the redhead is sitting again. “Drinks?” I ask, not bothering to be more polite.
“Water and a coffee for me,” the guy on the left says.
I nod and look at the guy on the right. He's watching me with those bright eyes, and I shiver. There’s something about that gaze that’s so unnerving. “Same,” he manages to say.
I spin around and make my way to the kitchen without another word. “Well?” Jessie asks as she fills a cup next to me.
I take a breath, trying to control my breathing. “They said they’re not from my uncle.”
“And you believe them?” There’s no censure in her voice.
“I don’t know yet. There’s something more to them, but I don’t know that they’re from my uncle.”
“Do you want me to take their table?” she offers.
“No, I need to get to the bottom of this. Besides, Mama May already made it clear that I’d better not make a scene.” She winces, and I nod. “Yeah.”
I put the waters and coffees on a tray, but Jessie stops me before I head back out there. “You say the word, and we’re out of here.”
My heart squeezes for the second time today. “Thanks, Jessie.”
She stares me down. “I’m not just saying that, Kayla.”
I swallow. “I know. Thank you.” Then before I can delay the inevitable any longer, I pick up the tray and head back out. I’m on my way to their table when the front door opens.
“Kayla.”
I turn back to see Cole, the mechanic working on my car. I relax a little. “Hey, Cole.”
“Hey.” He runs a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry we haven’t gotten your car done yet. We’ve been slammed this week, but I’m going to work on it first thing tomorrow. I promise.”
I frown. “Cole, aren’t you guys closed on Saturdays?” He doesn’t say anything. “Please don’t use your day off to fix my car; it’s not worth it.”
“It shouldn’t take this long.”
“It’s fine,” I tell him again. “You have no control over how many cars come in; I get it. We’ve been slammed this week as well.”
“I’m going to get it fixed for you.”
“Thank you, Cole.” I smile up at him. “You’re the best. Find a table, and I’ll come get your order.”
He smiles down at me. “Thanks, Kayla.”
I turn back towards the table with the two men and pause, taking in the redhead that seems stuck between standing and sitting. He's in the middle of both. I raise a brow and head that way. He finally sits, but he doesn’t look happy. “Two coffees and two waters.” I set them down on the table.
“Is that your boyfriend?”The words are literally nearly a growl.
“I’m pretty sure that’s none of your business.
Now what can I get you both to eat? Oh, and if you don’t both tell me why you’re here, you won’t be getting anything to eat while you’re here.
And no, no one else will serve you either.
” I give them a wide smile. “I’ll give you both a moment to think through your order.
” I overenunciate my words and give them both one more tight look before turning around and heading back towards the kitchen.
I drop off the tray and make my way to Cole’s table. “So, what can I get you?”
“Kayla,” he touches my elbow and frowns up at me. “Are those guys giving you trouble?”
“Nothing I can’t handle,” I reassure him.