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Benji’s Diner was a solitary structure, only a short drive from Mitch’s garage. A pink neon sign above the door and checked pink drapes framing the windows gave a welcoming vibe.
Grace breathed out a shaky breath as Caleb held the door open. This will be okay. As she stepped inside, the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and caramelized sugar enveloped her.
“We have half an hour to kill. Let me buy you a coffee and something to eat?”
She couldn’t shake the unease that settled in the pit of her stomach. His kindness felt foreign, almost unsettling, stirring up emotions she hadn’t allowed herself to feel in a long time.
“Thank you.” She rolled her shoulders, allowing the muscles at her nape to relax.
A storm of conflicting emotions raged inside her. Her car needed fixing, so she had no choice but to make the best of the situation. Getting worked up over things she couldn’t control would only make her vulnerable, and that was the last thing she needed. Richard’s men were out there, hunting her down, and she couldn’t afford to slip up. If her ex had taught her one thing, it was that survival required adaptation, finding strength despite the storms. And she was determined she would weather this storm. She would come up breathing. The stakes were too high to let her guard down now.
But as Caleb gestured for her to take a seat in a booth at the rear of the diner, she could admit there might be a bonus of being forced to stay in Aurora Cove for a few days despite her plans.
The reason slid into the booth in the seat opposite her.
He shot her a kooky smile as he handed her the menu. Dark hair dusted his forearms and more was visible where the top button of his checked flannel shirt was unbuttoned. She stared hard at the menu, not reading the words as the memory of him pulling his top over his head last night flashed unbidden through her mind’s eye. Her brain had noted every tiny detail, from the flex of his abs to the sexy trail from his belly button to under his belt.
She glanced up and their eyes met over the menus. He was still smiling, one side of his mouth lifting higher than the other. The turbulence in his eyes had settled from the night before, and now all she saw was cool mountain stillness. A girl could lose herself in those eyes if she wasn’t careful. Which begged the question why wasn’t this muscular, caring, hottie already hooked up with some adoring female? Apart from Dolly, of course.
Grace took a breath. She was allowing herself to be distracted. She’d only seen a small part of this man and even though it had been full of kindness, she knew only too well that didn’t mean people wouldn’t betray you. Dull heaviness filled her chest. People could easily turn out to be something you never believed they could be.
“Caleb Meyer. Good to see you, honey.” A waitress in pink gingham placed a full coffeepot and two cream mugs on the table. The punched tape on her name tab announced her name was Louisa. Grace figured she was over fifty, but it didn’t stop Louisa from tilting her head as she spoke to Caleb, casually tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Why indeed was this sexy man all alone?
“Hey, Louisa. How’s it going?” Caleb lowered his menu.
“Doing good.” Louisa beamed.
“Harold?”
Louisa rolled her eyes. “That man’s going to be the death of me. You know that half-dead pine tree in our backyard? He won’t stop talking about chopping it down. Swears he’s still in his prime, like he’s under seventy or something.”
Caleb grinned and shook his head. “I’ll call him. Ryder and I can swing by and give him a hand.”
Louisa pressed a hand to her throat, her eyes widening. “That would mean the world to me. I can’t handle being a widow at this age.” She turned her attention to Grace. “And who’s this lovely lady you’ve brought in today?”
“This is Grace. Mitch is fixing up her car.”
“Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, dear.” Louisa’s smile was genuine. “Any friend of Caleb’s is a friend of ours.” She poured two mugs of steaming coffee. “I hope Mitch can work his magic and get your car fixed up quick.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.” Grace managed a small smile in return, her hands tucked under the table where they could not betray her. Her back was to the door and the skin on the back of her head pricked. She should have chosen a seat with a view of the door, but Caleb had taken it. She’d noticed his quick glances over her shoulder, as if he was already scanning for any potential threats, his safety alarms always running.
Louisa chuckled. “How are your folks doing, Caleb? Haven’t seen them in a while.”
“They’ve been busy with the summer cabin.” Caleb frowned, and a shadow passed over his face. “There were a few problems a couple of months back…ah, woodworm or something.”
“That’s a real headache.” Louisa tutted. “Tell them I’m asking after them. But enough chit-chat. Let’s get you two fed. What can I get you?”
Caleb blew on his coffee. “Slice of your blueberry pie, Louisa. Grace?”
“Uh…” Grace realized she hadn’t read the menu. The words were as jumbled as her emotions. “I’ll have the same, please.”
“The pie here is legend. You’ll see why in a minute.” Caleb leaned back, meeting Louisa’s eye.
Louisa waved off his compliment as she headed to the counter with their order. “Oh, stop it.”
Grace wrapped her hands around the soothing heat of her coffee mug, keeping quiet. Small talk felt awkward when darker thoughts consumed her. But when she met Caleb’s gaze, he offered a gentle, reassuring look.
No one in this diner knew her past. No one would judge her. For the first time in a long while, maybe she could allow herself to enjoy a fleeting sense of safety. It was just coffee and a slice of pie, right?
