Scorched

If you enjoyed this story, please check out The Lies That Save Us by JL Redington, available now. Chapter One

It was raining again in Startup, Washington, the kind of rain that came down sideways, sounding like a million tiny hammers on the roof. It did that a lot during a Pacific Northwest spring. Alexa Menetti stood staring out the window, her dark hair hung loosely about her shoulders, deep blue eyes scanning the cloud filled sky. Being from sunny, dry Arizona it always surprised her how so much liquid could pour from the skies. She never tired of it, though, to her it felt cleansing.

Alexa lingered at the window, watching the weather. Her slender five foot seven inch frame silhouetted against the dark clouds and heavy rain.

This particular kind of weather also brought in customers anxious to find a dry seat on a cold, wet day. The diner was just the spot, perfectly placed on the corner in the middle of town. Today was no different than any other sideways rainy day. While the rain poured outside, the customers poured through the door and the slow day became steadily busy.

The diner was a wonderfully warm place that Alexa had decorated with ideas from years of dining with her father. She’d adopted a fifty’s theme with all the memorabilia she could find (and afford). There were bright red seats in each booth, swivel rotating bar stools at the long bar that encompassed nearly the whole length of the diner, reserving some space along the end of the counter for two more booths. There was a life sized cardboard cutout of Elvis at the end of the bar, rusty weathered gas station signs and photos of groups like The Platters and The Everly Brothers on any walls that weren’t windows. Large picture window’s opened to a quiet little town with quiet little streets, nestled right up against the Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest. The peace and quiet was absolute, and she loved it. She loved everything about it; her diner, the small town, the rain and the forests. She’d named the diner appropriately ‘Alexa’s’, and she smiled with pride as she watched customers file through the doors.

She was happy to have the customers on these rainy days. She’d purchased the small diner a year ago when she’d come to Startup after reading about it in an ad from a real estate brokerage. It sounded perfect for what she was looking for; a quiet little out of the way place with one stop light and nice people who enjoyed good old fashioned hometown cooking. A name like Startup, was also perfect for her new beginning. With Thomas and Billy trading off in the kitchen and Tahleah helping with the tables, she had what she needed with the lowest possible overhead.

Alexa paid for the diner with the last of her life insurance money from her father. Not a huge policy, but enough to allow her to become her own boss, and that was her number one priority. Her last boss had turned into her lover, then her fiancé, and then, two days before their wedding, he’d become her father’s killer. She vowed never to take another lover, and never to have another boss.

Alexa had been depleted of all emotional strength with the death of her father. The trial and incarceration of her fiancé only served to cement that weakness into place, and she felt she’d never again be the independent woman she’d once been. Her father had taught her to be strong and she’d learned a lot of it just by watching him. Now, however, that was all tucked away somewhere inside her and despite her best efforts, she couldn’t find it. Her determination to stay single, alone and free of ‘upper management’ was the only thing that kept her going.

The one hitch in her plan came into play when the diner purchase came down to talking money. She was twenty thousand dollars short. Twenty thousand dollars and it may as well have been a million, because it didn’t matter how she scraped, what loan she applied for, who she talked to, she was still short twenty thousand dollars.

However, mysteriously, two hours after she figured the deal was off, the money showed up at the escrow office with no name on it, except hers. She had no idea who it was from or how it got to the Escrow office. Even the receptionist was unaware. She’d walked some paperwork to back the offices and when she returned to her desk there was an envelope lying there with “Deliver to Alexa Menetti” scribbled across it. The whole incident left her feeling a bit uncomfortable…well, a lot uncomfortable. However, the joy of having her own place and being her own boss completely superseded the discomfort.

Yes, the small, out of the way diner was the perfect place for her to hide, to mend her emotional wounds. It was perfection, and as far as she was concerned, made just for her. It was here in this wonderful place she hoped to heal from the devastating death of her father who was also her best friend in the world. She tried not to put her father’s killer into the loss equation, but sometimes she couldn’t help it. Hidden from the world, it remained separate, painful and still raw. This loss was filled with misplaced love, extreme anger and unbelievable hatred, making it all but impossible to move on. Still, it was her father’s death she felt more keenly than any of the other losses.

Her father’s name was Max, short for Maxwell and in Alexa’s thinking it suited him perfectly. Tall, gray haired and lean, he was a handsome man, and she was very proud of that. Oh, she’d have loved him no differently if he’d been a potbellied, balding office worker, but he wasn’t. He was an imposing personality, commanding respect every time he entered a room. She was proud of her dad, and she trusted him implicitly.

Alexa and her father did everything together; hiking, camping, fishing, movies, you name it. But their last outing, just before his death, was different. On this occasion they had chosen a nice rocky point to have a picnic and examine some interesting rocks they’d found on a previous hike. Before sitting down to their picnic, she’d wanted to get a picture of him in his hiking garb. They were having a great time, laughing, teasing, just the usual fun. Then, suddenly, it all stopped and he said they were done. He just quit. He quickly started putting things in bags and hurried her to the car.

It was so unlike her dad. It was a piece she’d never been able to figure out, why the sudden end to the day with no explanation, no warning. He absolutely would not talk about it. He just kept telling her it was nothing; that he was just ready to head home, but for the first time in her life, she didn’t believe him. If she hadn’t known better, she would think her father was afraid, but he was afraid of nothing, so her perception was obviously wrong.

All of which brought Alexa back to the same spot every time; standing in her diner in Startup, Washington, waiting on customers and wondering why her father had shut down their fun all of a sudden and then never spoke of it again.

She also found herself wondering who her benefactor was that stepped up to close the deal on the diner. She knew no one with that kind of money, and even if she did, how would anyone have known she was buying this place? She had no friends she’d confided in about moving to the Northwest or her plans once she got here. She just packed up and left. So, who was it?

She continued her rounds of the tables and booths, taking orders from drippy customers, making small talk with the regulars. She brought their food out quickly and smiled as she placed it on their tables. Her favorite regular was Keith.

Keith was an elderly man who often couldn’t pay for his meal. He was kindly, and so encouraging of her new business venture. It was hard for her to see him order the least expensive thing on the menu, never ordering dessert or extra helpings. Often the only thing he’d order was a cup of coffee. Always, with that cup of coffee she would bring a plate of food, hot and steaming, fresh from the kitchen. He’d eat what he could and ask for a box, which she would fill herself. However, when she brought him his leftovers, there was always plenty more than what he’d left, including a ‘day old’ piece of pie or a take home bowl of chowder. She would ‘forget’ to give him a bill, or forget what he ordered, or how much it was. He never took advantage of her generosity, though. When he could pay, he insisted on paying and when he couldn’t pay, he always repaid her kindness with some small repair she needed done at the diner.

Keith was in his late seventies, gray haired, with soft wrinkled skin. He had blue eyes that twinkled when he teased her and filled with concern when he worried over her. He was average height, maybe a bit heavy for his build, but that only served to make him seem more cheerful. He lived alone after the death of his wife a few years prior to Alexa moving to town. He was the first to befriend her when she was new in town and he reminded her of her dad in a lot of ways. Maybe that’s why they’d formed the friendship they had. Today he was sitting in his usual spot, the booth far to the back where no one else liked to sit because it was by the kitchen.

“Hey Keith,” she said as she approached his table with a big smile. “How’re you liking the weather?”

“Oh, I like it just fine,” he said smiling back at her. “Now what’s a pretty little thing like you doing in a place like this?”

“Hey!” she teased back, “this happens to be my place, mister.”

They laughed at the old joke and she took his order. Spaghetti this time and she’d add a little extra meat sauce. He knew she would, but he’d act surprised every time she set the plate down.

She picked up the water pitcher and refilled his glass. She smiled at him and setting the filled glass in front of him said she’d be back with his order in a jiffy. Glancing at the window she caught a glimpse of a man staring back at her through the wet pane. She let out a gasp and covered her mouth with her hand, dropping the nearly empty pitcher. The noise of the shattering pitcher filled the room as all heads turned in her direction.

“What is it? Alexa?” Keith struggled to his feet as fast as he could. “What’s wrong?”

She turned her head to answer him and when she turned back to the window the man was gone. She quickly dropped to the floor and began picking up the larger pieces of broken glass. Her face was pale and strained.

“It…it was…it was my dad,” she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. “He was there for just a second, but it was him, I know it.”

She was picking up the glass as fast as she could, fighting back the tears. Keith knew the history of her dad and fiancé. She’d told him the story one night when the diner had only just opened and there were no customers yet.

“You’re working too hard, Alexa,” said Keith as he softly patted her shoulder, “You need to take some time off and get some rest. The mind can play tricks on you when you’re as worn out as you are.”

With the excitement over, conversation in the room resumed after a few concerned looks in her direction.

Alexa smiled weakly up at Keith and stammered, “I…I’m okay…it just caught me off guard, that’s all. It was probably someone that looked like him. Sorry to cause a panic. I’m fine. Thanks, Keith.”

Tahleah hurried out of the kitchen with broom and dustpan in hand to help sweep up the glass.

“Are you feeling okay?” she asked, searching Alexa’s face, “you look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Alexa smiled her best smile and stood with help from Keith.

“I’m fine. Just have slippery hands, I guess. Thanks for the help, Tahl.”

She composed herself and straightening her shirt, she walked to the front of the diner and around the end of the counter. There was a new customer at the counter and as she came around the corner she asked him the same question she felt she’d asked a thousand times that day.

“What can I get you?”

She searched his face waiting for an answer. He perused the menu looking for what he might like to eat, not looking to the lowly waitress. When he finally did look up, his beautiful green eyes gazed at her from under wet and windblown sandy colored hair. Despite his boyishly handsome face, he looked tall. He was just a bit taller than she was, even sitting down…and he continued to stare, and stare and stare.

On any other day she would have seen his attention as flirting and she’d get angry, want to flip him off and end up keeping all that to herself. But today she was feeling a bit off balance and just wanted to take his order and get away from him. He continued to stare at her.

“Sir? Your order?” she said with no small amount of impatience. “Did you want to---“

“Oh…Oh, yeah…sorry,” he said obviously blushing and looking down at the menu. “Uh, yeah, I’ll take the number three.”

And that was how this sandy haired stranger came to be called “Ham and Eggs.”

“Can I get you anything else?”

He finished his meal and was slowly and deliberately drinking his now nearly cold coffee.

“Well,” he said, his placid green eyes raising to meet hers, “You could tell me what time your shift is over and where you’d like to go when you’re free.”

This was the same thing he’d said last Friday, and the Friday before, and the Friday before that. Over and over again he’d asked her that same question. She could see ears on his head, but were they not working correctly? Was he incapable of hearing with those ears?

For a month now, since Ham and Eggs first appeared at the diner, it was the same exchange. Every Friday she wanted to give him the single digit salute and storm off. However, she had to think what that would look like to her other customers. At the same time, she wondered why this guy made her so angry. Maybe it was because he appeared to look forward to her reaction every time he made his little speech. Maybe it was because he thought so much of himself that he figured she’d just melt and give him whatever he wanted. Oh how that infuriated her. So, this time, instead of just turning and walking into the kitchen, she thought she’d mix it up a little for him.

“Listen…whoever you are…I work 24/7, I don’t eat, I don’t sleep and I don’t ‘go’ anywhere, especially with someone I don’t know. Now, is there anything else I can get you?”

The smile never left. His eyes playfully searched her face for what seemed like hours. She hated his confident air.

“No,” he said, finally looking down at the empty plate and cup of cold coffee in front of him, “It was delicious. Thanks.”

Trails of Tabasco Sauce circled the empty plate and, as usual, he’d eaten like he hadn’t seen food in weeks.

Alexa walked to the other end of the counter and began drying glasses. As she placed the first glass in the cart, she felt a sharp poke in her side.

“Ow!”

“What’s the matter with you?” The words came in a whispered hiss from Tahleah’s lips. The girl’s creamy ebony skin, almond shaped black eyes and thick lashes, combined with her mass of shiny black curls, all added up to stunning beauty. Not to mention the perfect body she carried around so gracefully.

“He’s gorgeous! Are you blind? And he’s totally into you. What does he need to do, get down on his knees and beg?”

“Even that wouldn’t work. I’m not interested.”

Alexa dropped the glass into the cart, picked up another one and started drying it, much more vigorously than the first.

“You are crazy, girl. If you’re not going for the gold, I’m gonna get me some.” Tahleah smiled that smile she used when she was on the prowl. She started walking toward the other end of the bar, much like a lion stalking a gazelle. This time, a sandy haired, green-eyed, very well built gazelle.

“Go for it Tahl. I’m sure the two of you will make a darling couple.” Alexa muttered that last part under her breath.

It wasn’t that she abhorred affection. She longed to wrap herself up in the comfort of a man’s arms. She wanted to feel his breath on her face, to feel her blood pumping through her body. What was it like to feel arms around her, wanting her, loving her? Yes, she wanted to be in love, to feel loved. But it wouldn’t work for her, not now. Not ever.

She turned bitterly away as Tahleah finished her prize winning stalk and headed back toward Alexa.

“How’d that work for you?” asked Alexa with a forced smile.

“It didn’t. It’s you he wants and I say go for it. He’s even nicer up close.” Tahleah turned and walked into the kitchen.

Alexa looked down the counter to where Ham and Eggs had devoured his meal. She realized she didn’t even know his name. The fact she was even curious about his name infuriated her. He was the hottest thing she’d seen in her diner since opening. That little factoid also infuriated her. Still, after a month of his weekly invites, she wondered on this evening how it might feel to actually go out with him.

She quickly pushed the idea from her mind and mentally kicked herself for even thinking of it. It must have shown on her face.

“Ah,” said Tahleah coming back out of the kitchen and pulling off her apron, “he’s finally getting to you, is he? You look completely frustrated and ready to pounce. On him, I assume.” Tahleah laughed lightly at her own joke and pushed against Alexa with her shoulder. “Come on, Alexa. You know you want to.”

“All I know is he’s driving me crazy, and not in the way you think. I don’t know who he is, where he came from or why he showed up here. I want him gone. I want him to stop bothering me. If I had money for a restraining order, I’d get one!”

She plopped the glass into the plastic holder and stopped.

“Hey, Tahl, could you watch the front for me for a minute before you go? I just need to use the bathroom.”

“Sure. But don’t be long…I’ve got a hot date, and I mean hot. Well, not as hot as Ham and Eggs down there, but hot all the same.”

“Thanks.”

Alexa shoved the bathroom door open and stepped quickly to the wash basin. She grabbed a paper towel and ran it under cold water from the tap. Wringing out the excess she dabbed her forehead and cheeks with the cool water. Glancing in the mirror she stared back at the pathetic woman standing there.

“What’s the matter with you? Get a hold of yourself, Alexa. You’re bigger than this, better than this and smarter than this.”

Throwing the wet towel in the trash, she grabbed another paper towel, dried her face and started for the door. Inside her she knew she could handle this. She tucked the pain carefully back into its spot in the back of her head, reveled in the strength she felt return to her ever vigilant heart, and pulled the bathroom door open. She would survive this if it was the last thing she ever did.

She hurried back to the counter. Ignoring Ham and Eggs pondering his coffee cup, she strode confidently to Tahleah.

“Thanks, Tahl. Have a nice evening, you horn dog.”

Tahleah laughed and nodded toward the gorgeous man still seated at the counter.

“Waste of a perfectly good opportunity, but you’re welcome. And you’re not kidding me for one minute. You didn’t go in the bathroom to pee. We both know that.” Tahleah smiled her sly, all knowing grin and grabbed her coat from the rack. Heading to the door she called out, “See you in the morning.”

That evening, it was Alexa’s turn to close the diner. Everyone had gone home and Ham and Eggs, who usually came only for breakfast, was just finishing up his dinner. When he was finished, she took his plate, silverware and cup to the sink. He stayed put at the bar, seemingly content to watch her work.

Alexa swept the floor, wiped each table and began wiping down the counter at the opposite end from where he sat. She turned off the lights in the kitchen and then in the dining room, hoping Ham and Eggs would get the hint and leave.

Turning off the last of the dining room lights she looked up to see him coming around the end of the bar. In the dim glow cast from the street light, she could see his determination, his eyes smoldering. It made her want to cry for help, except she didn’t exactly feel threatened. Angry was probably more like it. Why was he still here and what was he doing behind her counter?

She wanted to tell him to get out and never come back, to leave her alone, but her voice box rebelled and refused to utter even the smallest sound. Maybe it was the look on his face, the heat in those sexy eyes, the soft beautiful lips, the firm set of his jaw. Any one of those things would have kept her voice tucked silently in her throat, and certainly did.

With strong, confident strides he started toward her, never taking his eyes from her face. He took her wrist in his warm, gentle grip, pulling her down the length of the counter and around the corner to the restroom hallway.

“Wh..what are you doing? Let go!”

She knew she could have demanded with more force and he would have released her, but the warmth of his touch was weakening her resolve with each step.

He stopped a few feet down the hallway. His eyes softly explored her face as he smiled a kind, inviting smile. He leaned her gently against the wall with her hands pinned over her head. His demeanor was casual, even flirty, but his eyes exposed the fire burning inside him. Alexa’s chest heaved in and out with short, uneven breathes. She tried her best to look angry as she studied his face.

“First of all,” he said as he stared intently into her eyes, “my name is Cayman, like the islands. Last name is Richards. Secondly, you’re beautiful and the most beautiful thing about you is you’re oblivious to the fact. And third…” He stopped talking and moved her head to one side with his own.

“You so very…” he began to softly kiss the contour of her neck.

“Stop it.” The words came in a hoarse whisper.

“…so very…badly…” his kisses traveled ever so slowly up her neck to the bottom of her chin. She slowly raised her head in response.

“I mean it, stop.” She could feel his body pressing against her; feel his heart racing in time with her own, sending her blood coursing through her veins.

“…so very badly…need…” The smooth, silky tone of his voice made her heart race.

“I…I said stop it. Stop,” she moaned, helpless in his grip.

He brushed her ear with his lips, his ragged breathing hot against her, revealing his own fight with restraint. With his face leaning against hers he whispered, “…need to be…kissed.”

Pulling slightly away from her, he faced her, just inches from her mouth.

She could feel her knees about to buckle and kept them locked through sheer will. Her mouth was dry with fear and longing. She attempted to regain her composure while trying to glare furiously.

“Let me go.”

“As you wish,” he spoke tenderly, releasing her hands and stepping back.

She lifted her arm to slap his face, but he caught it mid-air.

He smiled and leaned forward, kissing her on the forehead.

“You just let me know when you’re ready for that kiss.”

With that he turned and walked confidently from the hallway and out the door. He strode from the diner, not once looking back.

She stood for a brief moment watching him go, hating his arrogance, loving his confidence, confused by both. Swallowing hard, trying to force moisture into her mouth, she slowly slid down the wall collapsing in a pile on the floor. The sobs came from her in great gasps, uncontrolled as she lay curled up in with her legs to her chest. She was unable to stop the rush of emotion and could feel her heart breaking all over again. Breaking for the loss of her father, the loss of her love, the loss of the lock she’d placed on it. She couldn’t stop the tears or stem the tide of passion that swept through her, hidden for so long.

“No…no. I said no. Not ever again. I…said…no.”

Chapter Two

She woke the next morning in her flat over the diner, her head pounding from the cheap vodka she’d used the night before to drown her pain. She moved her head slowly and…what was that wonderful smell? They had to be trying a new recipe in the kitchen, and it must be amazing to make it all the way into her bedroom.

She heard a pot clang in the kitchen, her kitchen, in her flat. She sat straight up in bed and immediately moaned grabbing her head to keep it from exploding right off her shoulders. Once the room stopped spinning, she stood and made her way to her closet. Pulling her robe off the hanger she quickly shoved her arms through the sleeves. Wrapping the front around her and tying the sash, she moved slowly toward the door, one hand holding her throbbing head.

She was pretty sure whoever it was in her kitchen wasn’t there to hurt her, unless modern thieves and cutthroats cooked you breakfast before they robbed you blind. She slowly and quietly pulled her trusty bat from beneath her bed just in case. Peeking around the corner and finding no one in the hallway, Alexa walked slowly into the kitchen. She gasped in surprise.

Standing in her kitchen, wearing her apron and completely enjoying himself, was Ham and…er…Cayman. Cayman?

“What are you doing in my kitchen? In my house? How did you get in here?” She could feel her anger rising faster than it should.

“Good morning, sunshine!” he said, way too cheerfully. “Your friend Tahleah…”

“I should have known,” she muttered. “I can’t wait to get my hands on her.”

“…let me in and I even brought all my own groceries.” He smiled proudly.

“Get out.” She said firmly, her head pounding.

“You don’t look like you feel so good,” he said, “you need some coffee. Sit down and I’ll get you some.”

“I SAID GET OUT,” she yelled as loudly as her head would allow. Even at the lower decibels it was enough to make her drop the bat and cradle her head in pain.

Cayman was instantly at her side, holding her up.

“You better sit dow- whoa! What have you been drinking?” he said, waving his hand in front of his face.

Suddenly she realized what she must look like and that only served to feed the fire raging in her head. She was angry, but clearly needed his help to the small kitchen table.

He set her gingerly in the chair and sat down across from her, looking worried.

“Are you okay?” He got up and poured her a cup of hot steaming heaven. At least that’s what it smelled like when he placed it in front of her. She could have sat there all day just smelling it.

“Who are you?” She looked up from the coffee and into those now familiar green eyes. “And where did you learn to cook food that smells like that?”

“Shall we see if it tastes as good as it smells, M’lady?” he said standing and heading to the stove.

Alexa’s eyes honed in on his backside as he sauntered into the kitchen. Nice jeans, nice gluts, nice... “No, I really mean it. Who are you?” She still cradled her head in her hands, trying to keep it from falling off her neck.

He finished dishing up breakfast and walked back to the table with a plate for both of them. Setting them down, he slid into his seat. Leaning forward with elbows on the table, he looked at her for a moment.

“I’m a friend, Alexa. I was passing through Startup and stopped for some breakfast and there you were. Hadn’t planned on returning to your diner, but then I saw you and I was hooked. You really dress up this town, you piqued my interest. So, here I am.”

His eyes were penetrating hers, clear to the back of her head. He made her want to forget every promise she’d ever made to herself. She wanted him to pick her up and carry her into the bedroom--. She shook her head, forcing her thoughts back to the present.

“I don’t need friends, Cayman. I have my diner and my friends there, and I don’t need anything else.” She tried very hard to sound convincing.

“You’re wrong, Alexa. I’m sticking around for a while, so you may as well deal with it. I’m going to keep asking you out until you accept. Maybe after one date we’ll decide we’re not interested in each other after all. But I’m not leaving until I know that for sure, and right now, I don’t know for sure.”

“Well, I can answer that little question for you right now.” She said her voice a pinch more sarcastic than she’d planned. “We’re not compatible, we’re not ever going out and there’s no need for you to ‘stick around’, especially on my account. You’re free to leave. I give you my permission, as if you need it.”

The hurt on his face made her stomach clench. He looked down at his food, the smile fading slowly from his face, laid his napkin beside the plate and stood up. He looked around the room, walked to the door where his coat was hanging on the knob, picked it up, looked at her and left, closing the door quietly behind him.

Alexa hadn’t realized she’d been holding her breath since her little speech and with the closing of the door she let all the air out of her lungs. She wanted to run after him and tell him to come back, that she was sorry to be so rude. The look on his face killed her, and she had the gnawing fear she would never see him again. What had she done? Was it the right thing?

“It was the right thing for me,” she said firmly to herself. She slowly picked up the plates of untouched food and carried them to the sink, scraping the uneaten food into the disposal. As she turned it on and watched it disappear down the drain, she said again, “it was the right thing for me.”

“You did WHAT?” Tahleah was clearly stunned.

“Listen, Tahleah,” she said with warning in her voice, “don’t ever do that again. Don’t EVER let a complete stranger into my house, or anyone for that matter without my permission. Do you hear me? That had better never happen again.”

“He may be gone for good now,” said Tahleah, ignoring her. She was clearly exasperated.

“I can only hope so,” Alexa looked down the counter to the spot where Cayman usually sat. It was breakfast, and his chair at the counter sat empty.

“Oh for crying out loud, Alexa! What were you thinking! How could you let a fish like that get away? I saw how you looked at him. I thought if I let him in there you might just acknowledge those feelings and give it a go. I can’t believe you chased him away.”

“Believe it. I feel great.”

“No you don’t. You can’t even decide if you did the right thing. It’s on your face plain as day.” Tahleah stomped off in a huff.

Alexa wondered how Tahleah could know her so well. Still, there was a clear void inside her and no amount of stomping, fussing or being hard to live with was going to change it.

Just then Keith came through the door and headed to his seat. He stopped when he saw her and said, “Why, Alexa, what’s wrong? You look like you lost your best friend.”

“Oh good grief! Have you been talking to Tahleah?”

She grabbed the coffee pot and a menu and followed Keith around to his booth.

“Well, no, did she quit?” he asked, obviously confused.

“No, she didn’t quit, but I told that Ham and Eggs guy to buzz off and leave me alone and now she thinks I missed out on the opportunity of a lifetime.”

“And you’re not so sure she isn’t right.” Keith smiled, turning his coffee cup over.

“No, I’m absolutely sure I was right and---“

“Don’t play those games with me, young lady,” said Keith, “I’ve been around too long, and don’t have that much time left that I would enjoy the game now. You liked him, and you know it.”

Alexa dropped dejectedly down in the seat across from Keith. “Did I really blow it? I can’t fall for anyone again, Keith. I really can’t.”

Keith chuckled and looked down at his empty coffee cup.

“How old are you? Twenty-six? Twenty-eight max? Don’t you think that’s kind of a long time to be alone? You may have to do that ‘kissing-the-frogs’ thing for a while, but you don’t have to sleep with every frog you kiss, and you don’t have to expect every one of them to turn into a prince. But you could at least enjoy yourself along the way. I need some coffee.”

Alexa sighed and reached across the table to pour the steaming coffee into his cup.

“I can’t, Keith. I mean it; and I don’t want to. I don’t want to deal with another human being in my life.”

“Yes, you do.” He said with determination.

“How do you--How could you even remotely know that?”

Keith looked at her across the table. He picked up his coffee cup and took a slow sip, then put the cup back down on the table and stared into the dark liquid.

“I know that because there isn’t a human being on the face of this earth that doesn’t need to be loved.” He looked into her eyes. “You’re not betraying the memory of your father, nor are you giving in to a life you swore you’d never want. Be human Alexa; live again. Square your shoulders, take a deep breath and give it a go. It’s a ride you can stop at any time.”

She set the menu down in front of him and squeezed his hand.

“Thanks.”

“For what? Free advice from an old codger? What’s that worth?”

Alexa laughed and headed back to the front of the diner. She walked around the end of the counter and put the coffee pot back on the warmer.

She was standing with her back to the front door when the bells sent out the warning that someone had come in. It was him, she knew it was him and she couldn’t bring herself to look.

She felt the warmth of his body move in behind her, leaning into her.

“Go out with me, just once,” he whispered in her ear. “If you’re miserable I won’t ask you again. Promise.”

Alexa softly put down the coffee cup and paused briefly. She turned to him, placing her hands on his magnificent chest.

“I’m sorry I’ve been so rude. You made that incredible breakfast for me and I didn’t even so much as thank you. I’m…I’m truly sorry.” Her eyes reached deeply into his, searching...questioning.

“Yes, I’ll go out with you. Just don’t be expecting anything more than a date.”

“Ha!” laughed Cayman, “Are you questioning my most noble intentions?”

His laughter was music and it made her smile just to hear it.

“Yes. Yes I am. Now move it and let me get to work.” She pushed him gently to the side and turned to pick up a menu. Cayman walked around the end of the bar and sat down in his usual place.

“I’ll have the #3 with coffee.”

That evening Cayman picked her up and they drove to the ‘famous’ ponds to throw a few rocks. Alexa laughed when she heard where they were going and what they would be doing.

“I have to warn you,” she said playfully, “that was always my favorite date with my dad and I have a pretty good record at rock skipping.”

“Not as good as mine, I’ll wager,” he grinned back. “I’ve got the record for my high school of eight.”

“Eight kids? That’s not a very big high school. Where’d you grow up, anyway?” she teased, knowing full well what he’d meant.

“Very funny. Eight skips. That’s good and you know it.”

She smiled slyly at him, “Eight? Really? Well, that’s small stuff for me. My record is ten.”

He pulled into the gravel parking lot and parked the car.

“No way! You couldn’t have gotten ten. That is impossible. No way.”

He got out and came around to her door and opened it. As she stood up his hand went to the back of her neck and he pulled her into a kiss. He slid his hand down her back, to her waist, pulling her whole body into his.

Alexa wanted to run, she wanted to run so far no one would find her, but that kiss… She couldn’t deny the warmth it sent rushing through her body.

“You’ve got to stop doing that,” she said, “or I won’t be responsible for my actions.”

“I’ll take full responsibility for any actions you want to blame on me.”

With her last ounce of emotional strength, she moved away, her hand lingering in his.

The ponds were nestled amongst the beautiful fir trees native to the area. There was a small beach all the way around them with trees and brush lining the beach. Popular for camping and hiking in the height of the summer, the ponds drew people from all over the area. Not many outsiders used them, as it was pretty much a secret kept by the locals. It was beautiful and refreshing; a wonderful place to come and spend time thinking…but not tonight.

The two of them threw rocks until their arms felt like they were going to fall off, both competing against the other, trying for the longest skip. Alexa won with five.

“Wow. I must really be out of practice. And it looks like you are, too.” She laughed at their feeble scores.

They sat down on a couple lawn chairs Cayman had in his trunk. Everything was still wet from the day’s rain and if they hadn’t had chairs they’d have been soaked in minutes. No rain fell while they threw their rocks and chatted with each other, though, which made the evening even better.

“So, where did grow up?” Alexa tipped her head and looked at Cayman.

“Down the road about two miles, in Sultan.” Cayman responded

“Really? Where have you been for this past year? I’ve never seen you around before.”

“Working, mostly, out of the country.”

“And what do you do for work?” Now it was her turn for a piqued curiosity.

“I’m a spy for the government,” his eyes twinkled with the tease.

“Really? Like for the FBI?”

“I’d tell you but—“

“Then you’d have to kill me. Yeah, I’ve heard that one before.”

“Dang it, I thought I had you with that one. You’re not from Washington, are you?” Cayman asked her, smiling.

“Nope. I grew up in Page, Arizona,” she said proudly.

“Page? I’ve never been there. What’s it like?”

Alexa thought for a moment. “It’s beautiful. Not quite in the desert, not quite in the mountains. It was the perfect mix. I loved it there and all the places my dad and I would go. It seemed like there was something new to learn anywhere we went. We never had to travel far from home because there was so much to see right there.

She hadn’t realized how incredibly homesick she was until she started talking about the area. She missed her home, and her life there.

They sat in silence taking in the beauty of the pond. The sun’s rays were softly streaming through the breaks in the clouds and dancing on the surface of the water.

A movement to the left of them caught her eye and Alexa glanced in that direction. She saw someone standing on the shore, hands in his pockets, staring directly at her. He must have seen her look at him because he suddenly turned and disappeared into the bushes.

“What the--” Alexa was up and running toward the spot with Cayman in hot pursuit.

“Alexa! What are you doing? Hey! There are cougars up here, you know.” He was gaining on her and finally grabbed her arm, pulling her to a stop. “Where are you going? Was the date that bad?”

Alexa was in no mood for a joke. She tried to be calm but instead she began yelling at Cayman.

“It was my dad! I saw him again. He was here at the pond. I know it was him.”

“You didn’t say your dad lived here. Does he live in Startup?”

“No, actually,” she said taking a deep breath and trying not to sound sarcastic, “according to my records, my dad has been dead for going on two years.”

Cayman let go and stared at her like she’d lost her mind.

“You’ve seen him before today?”

“Yes, outside the diner, it was the same day you showed up.” Alexa was looking in the direction she’d seen him standing, nervous, anxious. “He was standing outside the window, in the rain staring at me. It was him, I know it was him! It was him.”

She nearly whispered the last words of the sentence as her arms fell limply to her side and she leaned hopelessly against Cayman’s chest, sobbing.

“I’m so sorry, Alexa. Someone is playing a cruel joke… You have to understand that.” Then tenderly he asked her, “You have to think about it. Why would your dad do something like this, Alexa? From what you’ve said he was a devoted father, not someone who would pull some cruel hoax on his only daughter.”

She pulled back and looked up at his face.

“I’ve thought this through a hundred times since I first saw him that night.” Looking down she wiped her eyes and then looked up at Cayman. “I know he’s gone. I saw his casket, watched them put him in the ground. It was a closed casket service because he’d been shot in the face…by my then fiancé.”

“Oh, Alexa, I’m so sorry. No wonder you were so distant. I had no idea. I wouldn’t have come after you like I did if I’d known.” His arms wrapped a little tighter around her. She could feel his sadness mix with her own and felt the warmth of knowing someone understood her pain and loss.

“Of course you didn’t. How could you? It’s not your fault. It’s not my fault. It’s just the way it is, and that was my dad.” She pulled slowly away, her hands lying softly on his chest. “It was my dad that night in the diner and it was my dad just now.”

Cayman hesitated for a minute before speaking.

“Let me look into this, Alexa. It’s…well…it’s kind of what I do. Let me make some calls and see what I can find out. I’ll take you home now, it’s almost dark.”

Alexa hadn’t even noticed the dimming evening light. Together they walked back to the car, arms around each other. As he opened the car door, Alexa turned to him.

“I had a great time, Cayman, really. I appreciate your kindness and your willingness to help me out. Thank you.”

“My pleasure, little lady,” he said in his best John Wayne voice. It was a horrible impression, but it made her smile.

They rode most of the way home in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. They were approaching the diner when she turned to him.

“Would you walk me up? I’m feeling a little shaken right now.”

“I’d be happy to.”

Cayman parked on the empty street beside the diner. They walked around the back and she put the key in the lock and they went in. As they climbed the stairs inside the back of the diner, they heard footsteps above them. He touched her arm softly and they stopped.

“Does anyone live up here besides you?” he asked quietly, his muscles tense.

“No,” she whispered looking up the stairwell, “no one.”

“Wait here,” he said softly. “I’ll come back for you. Don’t move.”

He tiptoed up the remaining stairs. She heard a shout and then scuffling. Before she could move to a safer position a man came running down and pushed her out of his way, sending her flying down the stairs to the landing below. The last thing she saw was the concerned face of Cayman repeating her name as he knelt over her before everything went black.

“Alexa! Alexa! Can you hear me? Alexa…

The Lies That Save Us is now available at all retailers.