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“What about you, punkin? You hungry?” I say in a high falsetto to Audra. She kicks her feet and gives me a gummy smile in return.
I open the door at the back of my garage and step inside, flicking on the light. I have a truck and an SUV in here, both my personal vehicles. There’s no backseat in the truck for Audra though, so I head to the SUV and click Audra’s seat into the base I installed last night.
Catching Maisie’s look of confusion, I explain, “Figured you could use this while you’re here, since I’m out a ways from town and you’ll need a way to get around. Installed the base last night.”
“Thank you. You didn’t have to do that. I don’t know how long I’m stay?—.”
“I know. But for however long you’re here, you can use the car.”
“If I’m using your car, why are we going to the grocery store together.”
I shrug. “You’re new to town. I thought it would be nice to grab some breakfast, and I can show you around a bit until you’re more comfortable.”
Maisie nods but doesn’t say anything.
Both Maisie and I climb in and buckle up. I reach for the passenger side visor to hit the garage door opener, and I don’t miss the way that Maisie flinches at the motion.
I want to ask questions. I want to know who put that terror into her, but I know that she wouldn’t answer me. She doesn’t know me, so I keep my questions to myself.
“Ma’s diner is the best breakfast place in town, though now that Jem opened, she’s giving her a run for her money on breakfast options. Ma’s is a great place if you want to sit down, and Jem’s good for on the go if you ever need to stop. I’ve been coming to the diner since I was about Audra’s age, so I’m biased.”
“You grew up here?”
I nod. Keeping my eyes on the road, I say, “Born and raised in Everette, went to school and the police academy in Boise, came right back. Can’t imagine living anywhere else.”
She nods, her gaze trained out the front windshield. “It’s pretty.”
“It is. You should see the way the wildflowers will pop in a few months. There are some hiking trails around here that go straight up the mountains and you can see for miles.”
The conversation lulls and just as we’re pulling into town Maisie asks, “Don’t you have to work today?”
I shake my head. “I’m on call, so if something comes up, my deputies will call me, but otherwise, I’m off today. Got a poker night planned with my brothers and some chores to get done around the house, but that’s about it.”
“Oh. Okay.”
I pull into a parking spot in front of Ma’s and park the car before stepping out. Before Maisie can get to her, I snag Audra out of the back, and loop her carrier over my forearm.
Maisie’s eyebrows pinch, but she still follows me through the door to Ma’s. For a Saturday morning, it’s pretty packed. Which makes sense. Who wants to cook first thing in the morning on the weekend?
“Hey, Harlan, you can grab a table anywhere,” Dawn calls from behind the bar that separates the dining room and the kitchen.
There’s a table in the back corner, and I move toward it. On my way, I grab one of the sling holders that Dawn carries for car seats. I’ve never used one before, but I’ve seen other people use them, so it’s not hard to plop Audra’s seat down in it and turn her to face the table once I know she’s secure.
Maisie slides into the booth across from me and looks around the diner at all of the people. I could introduce her to a solid eighty percent of them, but somehow, I know that she won’t like that — that being the center of attention is low on her priority list.
Dawn swings by, her signature floral scent broken up by the smell of tobacco, and drops the laminated menus in front of us.
“Dawn, this is Maisie, she ran into a bit of trouble out on the freeway and is staying in Everette while her camper is repaired. Maisie, this is Dawn. She’s owned the diner for longer than I’ve been alive and fries a mean chicken fried steak.”
“You’re damn right I do. Though I leave that to Clint these days. Nice to meet ya.”
“You too,” Maisie says quietly.
Dawn leans over and looks under the cover of Audra’s car seat. “And who is this beauty?” Dawn asks in a coo.
“That’s Maisie’s daughter, Audra.”
“Well aren’t you just a cutie pootie pie.” Dawn slips her fingers into Audra’s fist, and a grin plays over her face.
