Chapter 4
SILVER
The day passes in a blur of activity and overwhelming emotions. Calli sticks with me all afternoon and by the time I drop her off that evening, we’ve put a big dent in my list of tasks.
“No,” I argue, when she says she’ll meet me tomorrow.
“You’re not abandoning your guests for me for another day.
Plus, I’m going to be at the diner most of the time, while I make phone calls and wait to hear back from insurance about covering a hotel stay.
I’ll call you if I need anything, I swear.
Just take care of Goblin for a few more days. ”
“Don’t worry about her. She’s getting spoiled rotten by Arlow. I might have to get him a kitten for Christmas.”
It’s dark when I return to Lee’s place. The scent of grilling beef greets me as I get out of my truck. My appetite has been nonexistent today, but my stomach growls at the smell.
Lee steps in from the back deck. “How do you like your steak?”
“Medium. That smells fantastic. Is there anything I can help with?”
He shakes his head and picks up a plate of corn on the cob, tossing words back over his shoulder before closing the sliding glass door. “It’ll be done in about twenty minutes.”
It’s enough time for me to shower then throw the clothes I bought at the thrift store today into the washer. As soon as I return and take a seat at the kitchen bar, Lee slides a full plate in front of me then sits down with his own.
“Thank you.”
He nods and digs into his food. Things are awkward for some reason. Maybe because this feels too domestic. I don’t think I’ve ever come home to a man making me dinner. After a few moments of silence, he says, “I see you have a new phone. Did you get your bank card replaced?”
“Yes, I’m all good. I got in touch with my insurance company. They’ll be meeting the fire marshal there tomorrow. They don’t know what caused it yet but if there’s nothing suspicious, the insurance will cover a hotel room temporarily. I’ll know by tomorrow afternoon.”
There’s another long silence while we eat. He suddenly puts down his fork and looks at me. “You don’t need a hotel room. Stay here until things get settled.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll be fine at the Stay Inn.” It’s the only hotel in town and I’d rather not be too far from work.
“You aren’t living at Bedbug Manor.”
The news spread around town fast when they had a bedbug problem, but to be fair, half the town was infested. “That was almost two years ago.” The place is a little seedy and rundown, I’ll admit, but it isn’t a hellhole. “I’m sure things are fine now.”
He stabs another bite of steak, chews and swallows before replying, “You’re staying here.”
I’m not sure where this is coming from or why he’s so insistent. “If you keep trying to tell me what to do, I won’t need a place to stay after I get locked up for kicking you in the balls.”
His deep chuckle makes me smile. “I’m not your little weaselly ex. You don’t want to fight me. But if you’d like to be carried out of that hotel over my shoulder, go ahead and check in.”
He wouldn’t dare. “You can’t just tote me around when I don’t listen to you.”
“Sure I can.”
Our little friendly argument breaks the awkward tension, and things feel more normal between us again. After dinner, he gets called to fix something at one of his cabins. I finish my laundry, write a list of everything that needs to be done tomorrow, then watch some TV to try to relax.
When it’s time for bed, he reminds me that he’s supposed to keep an eye on me for forty-eight hours.
He seems poised for an argument, but I’m not going to object to a second night in his bed.
This time when we crawl under the covers, he pulls me into his arms instantly.
I fall asleep again to the comforting warmth of his hand stroking my back.
It feels good to get back to the diner. It’s been a second home to me my whole life. The familiarity of the work and people feels like a reprieve from the chaos of my life that resumes when I walk out the door.
I heard from the fire marshal first thing today and his only question was whether I’d been burning a candle that night. I’m not sure what I was expecting, an electrical issue maybe, but no. I burned my house down with a fucking candle.
I’m sitting in my office working on the payroll when my phone rings with the call from the insurance company that I’ve been waiting for.
I swing the door closed, dulling the sounds of the lunch crowd, the silverware clinking, someone laughing too loud, the oven timer blaring.
It’s wild how life goes on like nothing happened when yours is falling apart.
“Ms. Mills?” a man says when I accept the call. “This is Fredrick Nash with Grayson Mutual Insurance. I’m the claims adjuster assigned to your property loss. Do you have a few minutes to talk?”
Something about his tone is disturbing. It’s too calm and careful, like he’s handling something fragile.
“Yes, I spoke with the fire investigator this morning and he said to expect your call today.”
“Good. I’ve received his preliminary notes, and I need to collect a few additional details for our internal review.”
Internal review. Bureaucratic talk for we’re going to try to find a way to avoid paying you. “Okay.”
“There was a home equity loan opened recently on this property. Approximately…” He pauses, and I can hear papers shuffling. “Four weeks ago, is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“What was the purpose of the loan?”
“I used the house as collateral to fund some upgrades to my business. Why?” I don’t like where this is going.
“It’s just part of our verification process. When a large property loss follows new financing, the claim is automatically red flagged for review.”
I’ve been so worried about the money side of things, paying back the loan and rebuilding, that it hasn’t occurred to me that it might raise questions. “Red flagged. You’re saying it looks suspicious.”
“I’m saying it requires documentation.” His flat, rehearsed tone doesn’t change.
“I have your claim filed, photographs of the damage, and your most recent property tax statement. Now, if you’ll email the closing packet from your lender and any other loan documents, that’ll help clear this faster.
It’s standard procedure when there’s new debt attached to a property. ”
I rub at my temple. “I’ll send them. What about the hotel coverage? The policy includes temporary housing, correct?”
His pause answers before he does. “Normally that coverage applies, yes. But while your claim is flagged, we can’t authorize any disbursements until the initial review is completed. If the claim proceeds, we can reimburse reasonable costs later.”
The air in the office feels heavy. I can hear laughter from the dining room, the hiss of the fryer, the normal life I’m supposed to be living. “My house burned down two nights ago,” I say quietly. “I lost everything. I’ve paid into this policy for years and you’re telling me I’m shit out of luck.”
“I understand this is difficult. Once we have the documentation, we’ll move as quickly as possible,” he says, still maddeningly calm.
“Right.” My throat tightens, but I keep my voice steady. “I’ll send them shortly. When can I expect to hear back from you?”
“I’ll be in touch when the review is complete. If you haven’t heard from us in a week, feel free to call and check.”
The bastard has the audacity to end the call by telling me to have a good day.
It looks like I’m going to have to take Lee up on his offer—well, his demand—that I stay with him.
At least for now. But not in his bed like the last two nights.
We’ll have to draw some boundaries, which shouldn’t be difficult since Calli has assured me that he isn’t interested in relationships either.
If he’s willing to put me up in his guest room, it’ll be fine.
That’s what I keep trying to tell myself about all of this. It’ll be fine.
It feels like I’ve spent half the day on the phone. My brothers reach out with an offer to stay with them, but they live out of state, and I’m not leaving the diner. At least one thing is going right. After working my ass off today, Lucky’s Coffee Bar is ready for business.
The faint smell of paint still hangs in the air but it’s fading.
Another few days and it shouldn’t be noticeable, especially once we start brewing coffee.
All the furniture has been moved in, and the place looks just like I envisioned.
Even with the stress of the debt I’ve gone into to fund this, and everything that’s happened, nothing can wipe the smile off my face while I take a few pictures.
“You’re a hard person to get in touch with.”
I was wrong. Nobody wipes away a smile like a Matheson.
Austin leans against the doorway. Of course he’s stepped around the rope that holds the CLOSED TO CUSTOMERS notice. Rules don’t apply to him, after all. He strolls in like he owns the place, with his hands in his pockets and a smile on his face. Every step he takes crawls under my skin.
“This section is closed,” I snap.
He sits on one of the stools near the door and leans an elbow on the table. “I saw that. I’m here to talk business.”
Heat creeps up the back of my neck, but I keep my voice steady. I’m so tired of dealing with entitled ass men who think they run the world. “We’ve already talked. The answer’s no.”
Before he can reply, Camille strides in with a plate and drink in hand. She takes a seat at one of the tables against the wall. “Don’t mind me. Break time.”
Austin looks at her like she’s a gnat that won’t get out of his face, and I just know she tried to keep him from coming back here in the first place. I need to give her a raise. He turns his focus back to me. “I was sorry to hear about your house. Total loss, isn’t it?”
My silent glare doesn’t discourage him from continuing. “You said no before, but now you’ve had some time to think. And I’m willing to throw another forty-thousand on top of my offer to compensate for these…” He looks around the room with a sneer before finishing. “Upgrades.”
The last time I was this pissed off, I knocked my cheating ex’s tooth out, kicked him in the balls, then spent the night in jail. Which Austin knows perfectly well since this town runs on gossip. I’m not going to let myself lose my temper. That’s what he wants.
“No. Let me make myself clear. I don’t want more money. There’s no amount you could offer that will change my mind. I’m not selling. Not now, not ever. That’s the end of it.”
Austin chuckles, shaking his head like I’m a stubborn child. “There’s no such thing as the end of it. Everything’s negotiable.”
“Not my family’s place.”
“You’re being sentimental.” The condescension in his voice makes me want to rip his tongue out. “Sentiment’s dangerous in business. You don’t want to end up on the wrong side of the town council, or the health department, or…” His voice trails off, letting silence do the work.
Blood thrums in my ears, but I shove down the rage and force out a light chuckle.
“I was wondering when you’d resort to threats.
The answer’s still no. Your father couldn’t get my mother to sell, and my grandmother turned your uncle down too.
I’m continuing the tradition. That’s three generations that have told your family to fuck off, in case you’re counting.
We’re done. No deal. No price. Take that back to your father, your uncle, all of them. I’m not selling.”
His smile drops as he stands, and I’m sure he wants me to be frightened of the scowl on his face.
All I see is a toddler about to throw a tantrum because mommy didn’t give him what he wants.
It’s satisfying to watch him struggle to reel in his temper.
He glances over at Camille, who only grins at him and takes a bite of her sandwich.
She looks like she’s watching a show and is thoroughly entertained.
A fake smile slides back into place as he turns to leave. “You’ll change your mind.”
His words seem to hang in the air. Camille looks up at me when I take a deep breath and blow it out through my lips. It’s silent for a moment until our eyes meet and she says, “What a little bitch.”
The snort I let out echoes around the room and we break into laughter. I grab my iced coffee and join her at the table. “Thanks for coming in here.”
She nods and sits back in her seat. “I don’t think he’s giving up. I’d heard of the Mathesons, but I didn’t realize they held that much power here.”
Camille lives in a neighboring county. “His dad is the judge executive, the police chief is his uncle, and his cousin is the mayor. They get away with a lot of shit.”
“Are you worried they’ll get violent?”
“They haven’t before. Not as far as I know anyway. I’m more concerned they’ll try to get me shut down somehow.”
“We got an A rating from the health department. You have all the permits for the new addition, and you’ve had the fire marshal in to adjust our capacity.
You’ve done what you can do there. I think you should consider getting some cameras.
In case they try to sabotage you by releasing a bunch of roaches or mice or something after closing time. ”
“That does sound like something those idiots would try. Installing cameras or some sort of security system is on my list. Mom didn’t like the idea of cameras, but the diner was never empty for more than an hour back then because we had an overnight shift.
” I grin at Camille. “Are you sorry you took this job yet?”
“Hell no. I’m not scared of some backwoods bullies.”
“They may drop it now that they know no amount of money will change my mind. I’m not sure what Mom did or said to get them to leave her alone, but I know they gave up. They will again.”
Camille nods and gives me a pointed look. “I didn’t know your mom, but I know she’d be proud of you for telling them to fuck off.”
“Yeah, she would.”
“And if things escalate to them targeting you, you could always involve the press. Or social media. I know the good old boys club will cover for their own, but the court of public opinion can be useful. If it comes to that.”
“It’s definitely an option.”