Chapter 21

Kelly

“Well, little lady, that was a fine meal,” Grace said as she leaned back in her chair. “My compliments to the chef.”

“The chef was you, Grace. No one beats your homemade sauce. All I did was heat everything up.”

Grace leaned forward and rested her arms on the table.

“Oh yes, I’m aware. I just wanted to bask in all my greatness for a moment. But the sauce would be nothing without some pasta to go with it. Thank you for eating with me, sweetie. Always nice to have your company.”

I could feel the satisfaction of a home cooked meal in my stomach. Looking after myself and Lucas on a waitress’s paycheck didn’t always mean I ate the best. Generally, when Grace came over, or when we went to her place, that was about as good as my eating got. Grace knew this but never talked down to me about it. She knew I was proud. Every week Elle sent me checks from California but I’d never cashed a single one of them. It was nice to know she had my back, but I didn’t want to take her money. Grace didn’t know about that, but knew I was doing the best I could with what I had. She just tried to make sure we ate together at least a few times a week.

“Well, you sit and relax. Let me clean this place up a bit. Would you like a cup of coffee?”

“Goodness, no. If I had coffee now, I would be up all night staring at the ceiling. I think it’s best I let this meal rock me right to sleep. Let me give you a hand with those dishes though, Kelly dear. Then I’ll be on my way.”

Grace slid her chair out and stood up. When she started to walk toward me she kicked something and it slid across the floor.

“Oh dear, I think you dropped your keys on the floor.”

I looked over to the key rack hanging by the back door. My house keys were hanging there.

“I think they must be yours, Grace. Mine are hanging by the door.”

I kept stacking the dishes and started to run the water.

“Well, silly me then. Let me put them back in my purse and then we’ll tackle this mound of dishes.”

Grace walked over to where her purse was sitting on the hallway table and then called back to me.

“Kelly, my keys are in my purse. Someone else must have left these here. You have any visitors drop by?”

I let a plate sink through the water and rested my hands on the counter. There was only one person those keys could belong to, other than Grace and me, and he was the last person I wanted to see right now. I ached for him, but I needed for him to stay away. I lost all control when he was around, and I couldn’t handle being without him. I was stuck between a rock, and a hard place. Literally. A very hard place. I shivered at the thought.

No, no, no. Why won’t you leave, Hunter? Why won’t you just leave me alone?

Grace walked back into the kitchen holding the keys.

“Kelly, did you hear me, sweetie? These aren’t mine. Did anyone else stop by today? The sheriff maybe?

How could I tell Grace that Hunter had been there? How could I hide what I felt for him or what had happened? I hadn’t been with another man since my relationship with Phil had ended, long ago. If I was going to start a relationship, Grace could accept almost anyone, apart from the tattooed beast who’d destroyed her diner that morning. I wanted to lie. I wanted to think of someone or some excuse, but I couldn’t. Hunter was the only person running through my head and before I had a chance to think of something my mouth betrayed me.

“Grace, those keys belong to.” I was interrupted by the phone ringing.

Thank you, God.

I walked over to the phone and answered.

“Hello? Kelly? It’s, it’s Dennis.”

He must have been into the drink. He was slurring his words and fumbling around a bit.

“Hi, Dennis. How are you? Is everything okay?”

“Oh yes, of course. I was just trying to get ahold of Grace. I was walking home from the bar and,” he paused to belch, “pardon me, dear. I was walking home and past the diner and noticed the door was slightly ajar. I think she forgot to lock up on her way out today. Is she there with you?”

Dennis. You sweet man. You just got me out of some hot water.

“Yes, Dennis she is. I will let her know and we’ll get it all sorted out. Thank you for calling. You’re a good man, looking out for her like that. Get home safe now, you sound like you’ve had a bit to drink.”

“Oh, I’ve only had a couple. My legs will get me home just fine. Goodnight, Kelly. See you tomorrow for breakfast.”

“Goodnight, Dennis. Thanks again.”

I waited until I heard him hang up and then I kept talking into the phone.

“Oh, Dennis, wait. Before you go. Are you missing your keys by any chance? Grace and I found some here and I’m afraid I might have picked someone’s up by accident when I left today. Could they be yours?”

I nodded my head and pretended that Dennis was answering on the other end of the line.

“Oh, yes, well that makes sense then. I’m so sorry, Dennis. I’ll run them over to you right away. Hold tight.”

I hung up the phone and turned to Grace.

“That was Dennis, a little pickled up,” I laughed and shook my head. “Apparently he was on his way home and noticed you left the diner’s door unlocked. In any case, he’s missing his keys so that solves that big mystery. I must have picked them up by accident earlier.”

“Well, there’s not a clear head between the three of us,” Grace laughed. “Although with all the commotion earlier, I can’t say I’m surprised. I wish he wouldn’t drink like that. Such a good man with such an awful habit. Anyway, I suppose I should leave these dishes to you so I can lock up the diner and give Dennis his keys. Can’t have him sleeping on the streets, now.”

“Grace, it’s nearly eleven o’clock. You have to open the diner in seven hours. Why don’t you take my room, I’ll run out and get everything sorted with everyone, and then I’ll take the sofa bed when I get back? I’m not tired at the moment anyhow.”

“Kelly, don’t be silly. I’m not going to have you sleeping on a pullout sofa just because I stayed out past my bedtime.”

I could see Grace’s eyes were heavy and that her stubbornness wouldn’t outlast how tired she was.

“Grace, please. You’re exhausted. Stay here with Lucas, get some sleep, and I’ll be back before you know it. It won’t take me long.”

Grace sighed deeply and then yawned.

“You sure talk a good game, little lady. I see now why you’re my best waitress.”

“I’m your only waitress, Grace. At least since Elle left.”

“Ah, yes. Elle. I do miss that sweet girl.”

I smiled at her and gave her a hug.

“Yes, well that settles it then,” she said. “I’ll make the sofa bed for you so it’s ready when you get back. And don’t lollygag now. It’s no time for young ladies to be roaming around town unaccompanied.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll be back in no time. Goodnight, Grace.”

“Goodnight, dear. See you in the morning.”

I walked down the hall and toward the front door, slipping my shoes on and heading out to my car. I didn’t care if I threw these keys into the trash, but I wanted them out of my house. I felt terrible for not being truthful with Grace, but a little white lie to protect her and me was something I was willing to live with. I couldn’t have Hunter coming around anymore. Just a few hours ago, while I was quivering in orgasm, he’d felt like the best thing that had ever happened to me. Now, I knew that all that was an illusion. A delicious, sexy illusion, but an illusion none the less. He was more like a drug that I needed to clear out of my system. Some poison that gave me a rush of pure ecstasy, but would destroy me and my life if I let him. I wasn’t going to let that happen. No matter how strong his hold on me was, no matter how much I wanted to throw myself into his arms and have him crash inside of me again, no matter how much I wanted to feel his lips pressed on mine like I was the only thing he needed to survive. I sat in my car and thought about touching myself. I thought about Hunter’s hand around my throat while he looked me dead in the eye as he opened up my core like I had never felt. I thought about sinking my teeth into his broad shoulders.

“Kelly,” Grace called from the front porch. “You forgot Dennis’s keys, you silly girl.”

Grace walked down the steps and passed the keys to me through the driver’s side window.

“You all right, baby? You look a little flushed.”

“I’m okay, Grace. I’m just satisfied from a good meal.”

“Yes, well, that is the look of satisfaction now that I think about it. Hurry home, dear. The sofa bed will be waiting.”

I waved to Grace as I pulled out of the driveway. I was going to drop these keys through the mail slot of the auto shop. Hunter would find them there in the morning and I’d be done with this. I’d be done with him. It had only been a day, and it was like he’d taken over my life already. I remembered why I liked being single. The loneliness was a small price to pay for not having my life taken over by a complete animal. Anyway, I had more important things to worry about than this schoolgirl crush on a dangerous, tattooed drifter, and it was time to stop living in a fantasy. I had Lucas to think of.

All of this silliness ended tonight.