Time marched on as if our entire world hadn’t been shaken to the core by the loss. Only two people had ever broken me; one couldn’t help it, and the other was pulling beers at the taps. Seeing Kandra was an aftershock I didn’t need today.
Chapter Two
Kandra
There’s a saying that a person should never cross the same bridge twice, but what if the only open bridge leads to Cross Creek and the only job I can find lands me in Roy’s?
Stinging bile backed up in my throat, singeing my tonsils, and my chest burned like I’d taken a shot of molten lava. Leaning a hip against the bar, I sucked in a deep breath as the wave of nausea eased and then reared back up with a vengeance. My hands wouldn’t stop shaking as a case of nerves hit me hard.
I’d already broken one glass, but thankfully Roy was a kind man who encouragingly told me to try again.
I was determined to make the best of my new start in my old hometown.
“Table three needs a beer and a white wine.” Roy hurried off, and I turned to stare at the liquor wall. I glanced over my shoulder at table three and instantly recognized Norman and Ethel. A smile crossed my lips. Knowing the old couple since birth, I guessed Ethel would want something fresh and fruity, while Norman probably wanted something bitter to match his disposition. He was always a prickly one. Quickly filling the glasses and moving carefully so I didn’t break something else, I carried them to the table.
Ethel’s sparkling eyes lit up when she saw me. “Is that little Kandra Sullivan?”
I smiled and placed their drinks in front of them. “Not so little anymore.”
Norman snorted. “The girl’s all grown up, Ethel.”
“She’s still a baby to me.” Ethel’s kind tone and warm smile made me feel welcomed home. She stood up and tugged me to her ample bosom for a warm hug. “How is your mother?”
“She’s good.” It was merely a conversation starter since Ethel had seen more of my mother in the last decade than I had. Ten years … had it really been that long?
“Better now that her baby is home, I’m sure.” Ethel gave me another squeeze, then sat back down. “Sit with us.” She patted the worn seat beside her, but I shook my head. Scanning for Roy, I spotted him wink and then smile at me.
“I’m supposed to be working.” I laid my index finger over my lips and made a shh sound. “Don’t tell my boss I’m over here talking to the cutest couple in the place.”
“Oh, you’re so sweet!” Ethel laughed as Norman guzzled his beer.
“You know, in my day, we’d drink these in the boat while fishing in Aspen Cove.” His gaze misted over.
Ethel touched his hand. “You can go fishing if you want, dear.” Her sweet voice moved through me like warm syrup.
He eyed her with a confused look on his face. “Why the hell would I want to do that? It’s cold out there on the water, and the damn fish don’t bite no more. I went for the beer, anyway.”
I giggled because I hadn’t realized how much I missed the people in this town, even the crotchety ones. Time had a way of softening the hard edges of life.
“You have a beer.” She nodded at his hand, and he looked down at it.
He took another drink, and Ethel pressed her lips together and then shook her head. “Did you meet anyone special while you were away?” she asked.
“That’s something we’ll have to talk about later,” I said, already retreating. “I think Roy just hollered at me.” He hadn’t, but I wanted to avoid any talk about me and men. There was no use airing my dirty laundry, that wasn’t my style. I was more of a suffer in silence kind of girl.
“We’re glad you’re back.” Ethel’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “You’ll have to meet my grandson, I imagine he’s about your age now.”
Norman let out a loud noise that sounded something like, “Huh?”
Ethel leaned forward. “I’m saying she should meet our grandson.” On a scale of one to ten, with ten being the loudest, Ethel had pitched to a seven.
“Which one?” His loud, gravelly voice didn’t seem out of place in the bar. Over at her table, Gypsy laughed and talked to another group while several guys sang to the jukebox. Everyone was jockeying to be heard.
Ethel leaned toward her husband an inch more. “Roger.”
Norman shook his head. “The kid wouldn’t be into her.”
Ethel snapped back like she’d been slapped.
Norman continued. “Trust me, she’s not his type. She’s got a job and a brain.”
“How about Kingston?” She wasn’t giving up.
“He’s too young for her. Let the woman meet someone on her own, Ethel, don’t play matchmaker.” He downed his beer, and I picked up the empty glass.
“Another?” I asked, relieved for the chance to slip away.
“Huh?” He stared at me like he hadn’t heard what I said, and it dawned on me that it wasn’t the din of the bar, but Norman was hard of hearing.
I wiggled his glass, and he nodded.
“Do you need another wine?” I asked Ethel.
The thick scent of garlic and butter hit my nose, causing my stomach to twist. Not garlic. Please, not garlic. Over the last few weeks I’d found I couldn’t tolerate the smell. I held my breath and waited for her answer.
“No, dear.” Ethel lifted her nose in the air and inhaled. “Some of Roy’s famous garlic knots would be wonderful, though.”
“Garlic knots,” Norman said, holding up two fingers. “Did you want some too?” he asked his wife. She sighed and crossed her arms, a knowing smile on her face. Without missing a beat, he glanced up at me and lifted another finger, “Three orders. The lady would like some too.”
I laughed as I left the table. They were adorable and had the kind of love I longed for. The sort of relationship I thought I’d had, but I’d been wrong.
With efficiency, I refilled Norman’s beer. When I dropped it back at their table, I caught them deep in conversation.
“Forty years of marriage, and we still have things to talk about.” Ethel squeezed his hand.
“That’s amazing.”
“We’re going to take a pottery class. You should join us. It would give you a chance to meet new people.” Ethel’s hopeful expression tugged at my heart.
“Oh, I don’t know. I already broke a glass.” I gestured over my shoulder, my cheeks heating as I thought about my mistake. “Maybe I should stay away from pottery.” I couldn’t help but notice the adoring look on Norman’s face as he stared at his wife. I’d give anything to have someone look at me like that.
“Oh, don’t you worry, girl. We’ll keep you from breaking things.” Ethel chuckled, and I tried to think of a diplomatic way out of the invitation.
“Let the girl get back to work.” Norman winked at me. “I think you owe us some knots.”
I breathed a sigh of relief at the save.
“We’ll touch base soon,” Ethel said with a double wink, not to be outdone by her husband.
“Let her catch her breath before you go pushing boys on her. As pretty as she is, she likely has enough admirers.” The words were barely out of Norman’s mouth when a familiar voice sounded behind me.