Page 14 of The Moment He Couldn’t Walk Away

Nina climbed into the backseat again and looked out the window as they started the journey back to Lyntacky. She felt tired and numb, and was pleased she wasn’t driving.

She heard Sawyer and Birdie talking but didn’t take part, as her thoughts were on her mother. Why had she mentioned Nina’s father after all this time? She’d tried to question her many times before, but her mother had shut her down, saying it hurt too much to mention him. What had she meant by saying he was a bad man?

She had no photos of her father, leaving her with no memories, and though this hurt, she’d stopped asking because every time she had, she’d been met with silence from her mother.

“Can you drop me at my car, Sawyer?” she asked when they reached Lyntacky. “And thank you both so much for today. It meant a lot.”

“Anytime. You know that,” Sawyer said. “You don’t have to face this alone. We’re here for you.”

“Thank you.” It was humbling to hear the words at a time when she really needed them.

“Want me to come home with you? I⁠—”

“It’s okay, Birdie. I just want some time alone to think. But thank you.”

Her friend nodded. “Call me if you need company.”

“I will.”

Nina climbed into her own car minutes later and headed to the pizza place. It was lunchtime and she craved pizza.

She parked outside the Swing Through Café, yet another crazy name relating to square dancing, owned by Ryder Duke. The thought of one of his coffees made her mouth water.

After getting out, she buttoned up her coat and wound her scarf several times around her neck. It was getting colder.

Looking up the street, she saw signs of Christmas everywhere. It was usually her favorite time of year. But not now. In fact, she wasn’t even sure she’d put a tree up.

Promenade Pizza had pictures of Italy all over the walls and red-and-white checkered tablecloths, which Enzo, the owner, had told her felt just like home for him and his family.

“Nina!”

“Hey, Enzo. Can I get a pepperoni to go? Make it a large.”

“Bad morning?”

“The worst. I’m gonna get a coffee. I’ll be back.”

“Sorry about the break-ins. Now go and eat something with chocolate, too, and I’ll put more cheese on your pizza than usual so we can really clog your arteries.” He waved her away.

That did sound good. Heading back out of the shop, Nina went to the building next door. A wave of heat greeted her as she stepped inside the Swing Through Café. A few customers sat at tables, and the scents and smells were delicious.

Nina loved this place. The décor was a mix of old and new, and the Christmas touches only added to the look, but it was the people she came back for time and time again. She waved to familiar faces as she made her way to the counter.

“Nina, how are you?” Ryder asked as she reached him.

“Since yesterday when I came in for coffee?”

His eyes narrowed as he leaned in closer to study her. “What’s up, other than the car and the house business?”

Her mother had always said she couldn’t hide what she was feeling.

“Nothing. I just need a coffee real bad. Make it a large one, please.”

The Dukes had been a constant in her life since she’d started school. They were good people with rough edges who would walk across fire for those they cared about. Especially, her boss, JD, who was married to Zoe Duke.

“So, I’ll make you a coffee, and you can tell me all your problems while I do,” Ryder said.

“There aren’t enough hours in a day, and I ordered pizza, so I need to get that.”