Chapter 5

As soon as I left Doc Evans, I decided to finally go to the diner and share some good news with Riley. Somehow I thought that she would want to know. And also I was kind of hungry after my little “save the fox” episode.

Again, the town was tiny, so it took me even less then 10 minutes to get there. I parked my car at the entrance, rolled up the windows, made a mental note to find a car cleaning service to get rid of the blood from the fox and went to the diner as fast as I could.

This time the fact that all the chatting stopped as soon as I walked in didn’t bother me at all. I looked pretty decent today and my mind was set on finding Riley, so I payed no attention to the glares everyone was trowing me. The place was packed, but I hoped that Riley would find me a spot.

The same time I spotted her, she turned my way and waved at me.

“Evelyn, sweetie, nice to see you again!”, she said, while giving me a hug. “And must I say, you look way better than yesterday! I suppose Dianna and Jonathan treated you well?”, she continued.

“Yes, they did!”, I answered squeezing her hand and trying to express how thankful I am. “And I got a good night sleep and Dianna also gave me this tea, that is like a magic cure from the morning sickness! I ate breakfast!”, I said way more excited, that I should be, but well, I was in a very good mood and you can also blame the hormones… But Riley just laughed, so I guess she was glad for me.

“That’s so nice to hear, sweetheart!”, she gave my hands a reassuring pat and guided me to an empty space at the bar, not too fast though, for what I was also thankful.

“Please, tell me you are hungry, because I can’t stand the lack of meet on your bones, it makes my eyes sore!!” She chimed like a mother hen, and I laughed again.

“Yes, I am! I think I could eat an elephant right now!”, I giggled.

“Well that’s what I love to hear! Sit, I’ll bring you some water and the menu”, she helped me to get on the high bar stool.

“Thanks!”, i said and gave her a warm smile.

While I was waiting, I took a quick glance of the people that gathered inside. Most of them were either in their fifties or teens. But one thing I thought was weird but quiet appealing – all of them were good looking. Especially the men. Damn, these teens were hot. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not into seducing a teenager, and frankly, considering the events that took place only two months ago, men were the last thing on my mind, but they could honestly all be models. There was definitely something in the air in this town.

I also caught some observing me suspiciously, but not in an aggressive manner, just with curiosity, and that was understandable – a new girl in town with a scar on her face and with a cane. But my mood today was way too good to let it get to me. I got a job. One thing I thought would be nearly impossible considering my pregnancy. And on top of that I got a dream job, which is also near to impossible, because I don’t have a degree yet, but I guess it’s my lucky day, right?

Soon Riley was back with my water and the menu.

“So, apart from a deserved rest and a breakfast is there anything else that made you look so bubbly?”, she said leaning to the bar right next to me.

“As a matter of fact there is another thing!”, I said excitedly.

“I’m all ears, honey”, she said with a smile.

“Well, I met teens on my way here, apparently they got into some care accident and ran over a fox. So we took it to the vet’s and Doc Evans hired me!”, I bragged with a huge grin, to which Hanna brought her hands to her heart a squealed so loud, that I thought I would go deaf.

“Oh my gooooood! I’m so glad for you! So I guess that means you’re staying?!”, she chimed.

“I guess it does!”, I laughed.

“That’s amazing! I’ll get to feed you!”, why doesn’t that surprise me?…

“Oh please, do that, that tea and the good news brought me my appetite back!”, she laughs again and pats my back lightly.

“Then let’s not waste any more time and get you something to eat, ok?”.

So I stayed in the diner for a while. My stomach was so full, that I even had to unbutton my jeans, which made Riley extremely happy. I don’t know why, but I got that vibe from her, that she genuinely cared for that pathetic peace of a human – me. That was weird, she doesn’t know me at all, but she already helped me more, than I could imagine. She didn’t ask questions, but she seemed to know what I needed since the first minute she saw me. And didn’t ask anything in return. I decided to get her a present as soon as I’m back on my feet, I wanted to do something for her, to show her how thankful I am.

“Riley, thank you so much, for everything…”, I said after a while. She gave me that knowing look, as if she had to start over once in her life as well.

“Don’t mention it, sweetheart. I’m glad I could help.”, she gave me a soft hug and smiled warmly.

“I think I better give Dianna a call and tell her you’d be coming back tonight?”, she winked at me.

“Oh god, how didn’t I think of that myself….”, I said a bit embarrassed, but Riley just waved me off.

“Don’t worry about that, I wanted to chat with her anyway, she’s one of my closest friends after all”

“Oh, I see. All the nice people stick together in this town!”, I winked at her, which made her laugh again.

“Off course we do”, she winked back at me.

“Now shoo, go home and rest, you have a busy day tomorrow”, she commanded and I obeyed. We parted with one more hug and I left home, which was at Dianna’s for tonight again.

* * *

I totally forgot to get rid of the blood stains in my car, but I didn’t care, I was too happy to think about it. When I arrived back to Dianna’s B&B, both her and Jonathan were home. And as soon as I stepped out of the car, Jax rushed to greet me. Man, was he cute! He jumped around me wagging his tale at an enormous speed, his tongue was hanging on the side of his jaw and he just couldn’t stand still. I laughed loudly and gave him a big hug, to which he liked my face.

“Jax! You traitor! What about me?!”, Dianna struck her hand to her heart and made a crying face. Jax looked at her and suddenly looked lost as a puppy, he was obviously torn – he wanted to continue licking my face, but he also wanted to run to her. Poor doggy. I smacked his bottom and guided him towards Sheril, saying:

“Don’t forget who feeds you, my furry friend!”

“Glad to see you back, sweetie!”, she gave me a hug.

“Glad to be back, and thank you for allowing me to stay here at such short notice again.”, I hugged her back.

“Oh, that’s not a problem, dear, as I said – we’re kind of empty for no, so you’ll just make it more fun for us!”, she then motioned me to the kitchen.

“Let’s have a cup of tea, and you’ll tell me all about your day and why you decided to stay after all!”

“Ok, let me just grab my bag!”

So I picked up my duffel and made my way to the kitchen. Jonathan was already there, I told them everything about the fox, and Doc Evans, and then the job he gave me. She seemed so genuinely happy for me, that I felt tears gathering in the corners of my eyes.

“Sorry, hormones…”, I mumbled, wiping some runaway ones with a napkin.

“Aw, you’re so cute!”, she squealed and Jonathan laughed at that.

“I think she might see a daughter figure in you, since all of our children are boys!”, he said with a proud smile.

“Wow, Dianna! Five boys!!!”, I was amazed. I can’t imagine getting along with one child, and they have five boys…

“Yes, my five bandits! All grown up now…”, she said with a sad smile.

“What, no grand children yet?”, I asked.

“As a matter of fact, one is on the way! My eldest, Edmund, and his m..wife are expecting a child in about a month!”, she was blabbering, but she was beaming with love and pride.

“That’s great! Congratulations!”, I said to both of them.

“Thank you!”, she returned the smile. “Oh, you’ll have to meet our sons, they are all such gentlemen!”, she winked at me. Honestly, I had no doubt they would be gorgeous, considering the fact that both Dianna and Jonathan were quite beautiful themselves, and also Dianna looked adorable trying to play Cupid. But a perspective of getting involved with a male sent shivers to my spine, which didn’t go unnoticed. They didn’t say a word, but exchanged a glance. They even zoned out a bit, as if they were having a silent conversation in their minds, but just for a second and I shrugged it off. I forced a smile on my face and tried my best to sound cheerful.

“I’m sure they all are amazing, and I would love to meet them someday.”, I said.

“Anyway!”, she changed the topic rather abruptly.

“Give me your dirty clothes, I’ll drop them in the laundry! By the looks of your bag, you’ll be running out of clean ones pretty soon!”, she went back to her motherly behavior.

“Oh, no need for that, it’s ok, I’ll just drop by the laundry tomorrow and do it myself, I don’t want to be a burden.”, I said quickly.

“Nonsense!”, just like that she cut my worries off. “Hand them over, young lady!”, she commanded.

“I wouldn’t argue with her, if I were you”, Jonathan joined her. “That woman always gets what she wants! Like me, for example!”, he gave me a wink and then slapped Dianna’s but and she jumped in surprise. I burst out laughing, while Dianna’s face became tomato red.

“Jonathan! Manners!”, she tried pretending that she was mad, but I could clearly see that she enjoyed the attention.

“Anyway, I wanted to ask you,” I changed the topic, hoping shed forget about my laundry. “Is it possible to rent a room from you for a bit longer then a couple of days? Until I find a place of my own, that is.”

“Off course, sweetie! You can stay as long as you want! You don’t even need to look, you can rent a room here! We could use a company anyway!”, she said excitedly and have me a tight hug.

“Are you serious?”, I asked rather surprised. It’s not usual for a B&B to rent out rooms for a longer term. “Wouldn’t it be like, I don’t know, non profitable?”

“Agh, we never rent out all the rooms anyway, so no harm will be done!”, she waved me off. “That would be really great, thank you so much!”, I said sincerely. The place was gorgeous, what can I say! Surrounded by woods with lots of fresh air, a comfy bed, company of Jax, who has already stolen my heart, and parent-like Jonathan and Dianna, what more can I ask from life?