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She pulled into the diner parking lot behind Chase, but had to park around the back. Before she exited the car, she took a minute to scan the area for any sign of Kyle. It pissed her off. It drove her a little crazy. And it made her think of her poor mother and how he’d made her life hell.
She wouldn’t let him do that to her.
She wouldn’t let him anywhere near her daughter.
The parking lot looked clear to her, so she got out and walked to the front to meet Chase, Eliza, and Remmy, who with his service vest was allowed inside the restaurant.
“What’s wrong?” Chase saw the worry she couldn’t hide.
“Nothing. I’m just being paranoid.”
He hooked his arm over her shoulders. “I know it’s not nearly enough, but keep doing what you’re doing. Stay vigilant. Don’t give him a second of your time. And if you ever feel unsafe, call me. I don’t care why or when. I’ll come.”
She leaned into him. “I know you will.”
They walked into the diner, and both she and Chase pulled up short when they spotted his father and Max waiting for them and seated at a table for six.
She glanced up at Chase. “Did you know they’d be here?”
Chase shook his head. “No. I told them I’d be a little later than usual showing up because it’s Pancake Tuesday with Eliza.”
Mr. Wilde stood and waved them over. “We heard this is a family thing.”
Chase sucked in a surprised breath.
Shelby didn’t know how to respond, but her heart warmed that they’d invited themselves to Pancake Tuesday because it was a family thing. Traditions were meant to be happy memories.
And when Eliza ran to Max and held her arms up saying, “Unc, up,” and he scooped her into his lap, Shelby softened toward him and Mr. Wilde.
They were really trying.
So would she. She smiled at the men, then asked Max, “Would you mind moving to the other side of the table? Chase will want to sit with his back to the wall, and a view of the exits.”
Chase touched her shoulder. “It’s okay.”
Max stood with Eliza and rounded the table. “It’s no big deal.”
A couple of gentlemen at a nearby table stood and approached Chase. He immediately put his back to the wall, and his whole body went tense, proving her point that he needed to situate himself in a position that made him feel safe.
Remmy leaned against his side.
“Chase. Good to have you home again. Thank youfor your service,” the first man said, holding out his hand.
Chase shook it. “Thanks for the support.”
She’d seen this exchange many times since Chase came home before he went to rehab, but this time Chase seemed more at ease and willing to accept the thank-you without his eyes clouding with guilt, remorse, and a lot of other emotions that made him go quiet.
“How long are you back this time?” the second man asked.
“For good,” Chase said, giving Remmy’s head a pat. “I’m back working at Split Tree Ranch. My girlfriend and I have a new place, and we’re raising our little girl.” That was a lot of words for Chase. Under other circumstances, he’d kept quiet. It showed that rehab and working with Dr. Porter had changed him. He was much more open with her and everyone else, it seemed.
Someone nearby leaned into the person they were dining with and said none too softly, “He really is datingher.” She made it sound like something completely unbelievable.
Chase’s gaze shifted to the blonde. Her flirty smile vanished when she saw the disgruntled look in Chase’s eyes.
Another person in another booth whispered for all to hear, “Her father’s a rapist, the worst kind of scum.”
Shelby agreed wholeheartedly.
