I laugh and glance back at her husband, who is currently cleaning off the grill as we get closer to closing time.“You’d know all about that.How many years has it been?”
“Twenty-seven,” she replies with a wink.“And there’s not a single moment of it I would trade for anything in the world.”
“I love that.”Will I have that, too?Will what’s between Garrison and me continue to grow?Or will we drift apart?The thought of anything changing darkens my mood just a bit.Is it possible that we’re only as close as we are now because I’m staying in his guest room?
“Whatever you’re thinking now—stop,” Maddie instructs.“You’ll damage what you have before it even has a chance to begin.”
“Am I that obvious?”
“Girl, you’ve had walls up since the moment I met you.This is the first time I’ve seen you truly happy.Let it be.Don’t overthink it.”She pats my shoulder, then turns back to the register, where she’s been going through the credit card receipts.
I continue cleaning off the counter, then wipe it down with a cloth.As I straighten, movement just outside the large bay window catches my eye.I narrow my gaze, the darkness outside making it hard to see at first.
But then I see him.A hooded figure standing just across the street.Just like the one I saw on my balcony the night of the storm.Only this time, he’s directly beneath a street light—unmistakable.
My heart leaps into my chest as I take a quick step back.No.But when I blink—he’s gone.Did I imagine it?
“You okay, Katelyn?”
Heart still racing, I turn toward Maddie.She’s still standing at the register, a few feet away from me, eyes narrowed in concern.
I look back outside, but there’s no one there.“Yeah, I thought I saw—never mind.”
“What is it?”She follows my gaze out the window, but there’s nothing there.
No one.
Just a trick of my tired mind.Despite my happiness during the day, the nightmares have been in full force ever since I told Garrison about the night my life changed forever.I should have known opening that box would have repercussions, and still I’d do it again.Because letting even some of it out made me feel a bit lighter.
“I’m just tired, that’s all.”I force a smile.“It was a good night.”
“It was.”She returns my smile, but there’s still that layer of concern on her aging face.“Why don’t I have Ed drive you home?”
“Nah.I enjoy the walk.”Garrison had offered to come get me, too, but I insisted on walking.It’s only a mile, and to be honest, I need it so I can unwind from the day.Then I’ll be able to go into the evening unburdened.
Just the thought of it brings me a giddy excitement.
“Honey, it’s no trouble,” she insists.
“I know, but I’m fine—truly.”I gather the dishes I’d collected from Mr.Rodney’s spot, then carry them into the kitchen where Maddie’s husband, Ed, has transitioned from cleaning the grill to washing what’s left.“Here’s the last of it.”
“Rodney?”he questions, arching a brow.
I laugh.“You know it.”
“That man would close down a twenty-four-hour place,” he replies.His tone lacks all annoyance, though, since I know he and Mr.Rodney are best friends who play cards together every Sunday after church.
“So true.Do you need any help?”
“Nope.You go home to your neighbor.”He wiggles his eyebrows.
I roll my eyes and laugh.“Thanks.See you tomorrow.”
“See you then.”He begins whistling as he washes dishes, so I step back out into the main room of the diner, where Maddie is putting chairs on top of clean tables.
“You go ahead and go home, honey.Get some sleep,” Maddie tells me.
“No, I can stay and help.”