Claimed By the Undercover Cops (Heroes of Whispering Pines #9)

Chapter 1

Cecilia

I’ve refilled all of the drinks, prepped the empty tables, and served all of the customers—ensuring they each got their favorite jams and syrups. It’s easy since everyone orders the same thing every day.

The firefighters will arrive in a few minutes as long as they’re not on a call.

Which leaves me with an idle five minutes—the perfect amount of time to sort through my photos to update my socials. I head to my phone that’s on the charger at the far end of the counter.

The only customer down here is the reclusive girl whose hoodie and hunched posture always make it clear she doesn’t want to be bothered, especially for small talk. My bestie and I call her Ofelia. She’s the easiest regular I have and tips well, so I shouldn’t complain. Wish I had her kind of money.

Not many people my age can buy an old barber shop and plan to renovate it.

Scrolling through the photos of my weekend outing with my boyfriend, I choose one where we actually look happy.

A low rumble catches my attention.

The fire truck pulls in front of the diner and parks on the street. Firefighters pile out. I glance at the corner booth, making sure no one swiped a packet of silverware.

The crew’s a few minutes early. Kudos to them. I barely make it to work on time consistently. Overall, I suppose, it’s good news because it means they’re not on a call this morning. One less moment of tragedy in this boring-as-fuck small town.

“Who’s that?” Ofelia says—the first words she’s spoken to me other than to place her order. She’s pointing at my phone.

“Me and my boyfriend.”

“Oh!” She returns her focus to her strawberry-rhubarb muffin, leaving me hanging.

For a second, I thought she was going to shake things up and converse. Perhaps three words was enough for one day. I humor myself by deciding she’ll work up to more words tomorrow. Maybe I’ll even get her name at some point.

I’ve tried, but she doesn’t want to talk about her life, doesn’t need a friend, and actually told me that it’s best if I’m a nobody to her. What has she been through that she would say that? She should be living her best life, having fun.

Off her continued clue that she wants to be left alone, I shift my attention and greet the firefighters as they enter, wondering if they chose that profession to balance the boredom of this town? I consider the career for half a second before recognizing it’s not for me.

I follow them to their favorite booth.

“What’s it going to be today, boys?” I like calling them boys even though they’re all older than me. Every single time I do it, I hope that one of them will say something. They don’t. I’ll have to come up with something different.

A chorus of “I’ll take the usual” answers my question… as always… every single time.

I force my pleasant smile and head to the computer to enter the orders. Maybe there’s a bright side. Tree huggers would be happy that I don’t have to waste a piece of paper on their ticket.

The second I turn around, Caleb, who owns a local construction company, sits at the counter. “Morning, Cecilia, I’ll take my usual.”

I nod. My pleasant smile hides my desire to scream. I turn around, relieved that I can go back to what’s probably resting bitch face as I tap his order in and my soul slowly dies.

Then I get an idea. What if I’m part of the problem by letting this methodical madness continue? What if I could help the zombies break free?

With a true smile on my face, I step in front of Caleb. “Feel like shaking things up today?”

His brow furrows. “I’m married.”

A huge serving of unexpected laughter turns into a coughing fit before I compose myself. “Not like that. I meant your breakfast.”

Still suspicious, Caleb asks, “Why would I change my breakfast?”

“Cinnamon rolls are fresh out of the oven. The red velvet pancakes are like breakfast and dessert rolled into one, and have you ever tried pomegranate juice?”

“Thanks for offering. I’ll stick with the usual.”

I can’t open my mouth to say ‘you’re welcome’ for fear of my last shred of decency losing its grip. Back at the computer, I enter his meat skillet and orange juice. I have to get out of this town before it sucks the life right out of me.

I make a mental note to talk to Bev about offering a special… Mystery Meal, Chef’s Choice, anything to liven this place up. Then again, the mystery would never be revealed. The regulars would still just order their usual.

My finger hovers over the icon for the firefighter’s table. What if I switched their orders? Anything to spark a little fun in this town. Not the nicest way to thank them for doing their dangerous job. I ditch the idea.

My mind drifts to my other genius idea—a ‘No Panties Day’ parade. I can’t believe we’re only a week out. It’s going to be a day this town will never forget.

“You okay, Cecilia?” Bev asks from right beside me.

I breathe in hard to gather myself. “All good.” Smile.

“You were thinking awfully hard.”

“It’s nothing.”

“I was your age once too. If you ever need to talk, I’m happy to be more than just your boss.” Bev sets her coffee down and gives my hand a squeeze.

She means well, but she grew up here and opened a diner where people can get the same meal for a hundred years straight.

“Thanks, Bev, but I don’t think we want the same things out of life.”

“Try me, kiddo.”

Kiddo. Proof that she won’t understand. But, what do I have to lose? Maybe my job? I’ll take it as a sign I’m supposed to leave if she fires me.

“I know you and a lot of people love this town, so I don’t mean any disrespect, but I feel trapped.”

Bevs laughs from the heart. “I remember that feeling.”

“You do?”

“Yeah. How old are you?”

“Twenty.”

Bev nods, her ever-present smile making me want to believe her. “Those were good years. Lots of changes. I was certain I’d get out of town and never look back, but one of those big life changes snuck up on me. Turns out…” She motions around us. “This small town has everything I need.”

As surprised as I am to hear that she wanted to leave at one time, I don’t have time to take the bait about the big change that snuck up on her. A group of customers enter.

I play the good waitress for the rest of the morning shift, clearing dirty dishes, wiping the tables and counter seating down, then hitting repeat for the next butt that lands on the seat.

Routine AF until I make my way to the end of the counter to gather Ofelia’s dishes. Money is sticking out of a folded napkin—a hundred dollar bill. What the fuck?

I’ve heard of random generous tippers, but never experienced it. Opening the napkin, to retrieve the bill, I’m hit with another surprise. The word ‘sorry’ is scribbled onto the napkin.

She’s sorry she left me a hundred-dollar tip on a ten-dollar order? I glance up expecting to find out I’m getting pranked. Nope.

Okay then, I pocket the money and get back to work. I can’t wait to tell Trena when she picks me up.

Promptly at eleven, I clock out before the lunch crowd descends.

Trena is out back leaning against her car waiting for me. I check my phone. I’m on time, why did she get out? She usually waits in the car.

Usually. She probably just didn’t want to do the exact same thing as every other day. I respect that.

“What do you say we scour the internet and find somewhere fun to live? Make an escape plan from this boring little town.” My enthusiasm fades as she fails to move.

“You already heard?” Trena’s anything but intrigued by my harebrained plan.

“Heard what?”

She hesitates. “We’re besties, right?”

“What the fuck, Trena? Who else would I skip town with?”

“You won’t hate me for telling you something that makes this town even worse?”

From over the top of the car, I square up with her. “What could be worse? Are they cancelling the Founder’s Day Parade, the weekly movie nights, the Double Decker Western burger?”

Trena’s shaking her head and blurts out, “I think Henry’s cheating on you.”

It’s so inconceivable, it takes a second to process. The pity in her eyes hurts worse than her reveal.

“Must be a misunderstanding. We’re supposed to go skydiving next weekend. I bought the jump for his birthday.”

“My brother saw him getting really cozy—”

“Get me out of this hellhole. Better yet, drive me to Henry’s.”