Page 13 of Heart of a Hero

Everything fell away and I lost myself in the moment, never wanting it to end.

Chapter Four

Nora

The bell above the door jangled harshly, making me jump. My heart sank as Rex Strayer swaggered in, his eyes wild and bloodshot. Why couldn’t he leave me alone? I’d finally gotten the courage to leave him, but every time I thought I would be able to move on with my life, he showed up again. Like now.

“Hey, sweetheart.” He leered at me, his gaze roaming over my body. “How about some service over here?”

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. “What can I get for you, Rex?”

He slouched into a booth, propping his dirty boots up on the vinyl seat. “Coffee. Black. And make it snappy.”

As I hurried to pour his coffee with shaking hands, I could feel his eyes burning into my back. Rex was bad news -- everyone in this town knew it. If the cops got called on him again, he’d be looking at hard time. Or at least, in theory he should. Somehow, the public defender always seemed to get him off as not guilty, on probation, or a short sentence that didn’t even last a year. And I had a sinking feeling he was about to make my shift a living hell.

“Here you go,” I said tersely, sliding the mug in front of him. A few drops sloshed over the side.

Rex grabbed my wrist, his grip painfully tight. “You tryin’ to scald me, girl?”

“No, I…” My voice came out a scared whisper. “It was an accident.”

“Clumsy little thing, aren’t ya?” His thumbnail dug into my pulse point. Tears of pain pricked my eyes. I knew he was going to leave a bruise. Wouldn’t be the first time. His mean streak was one of the main reasons I’d left him.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the other waitress Jenna hovering nervously, unsure whether to intervene. God, I hoped she wouldn’t. Rex was like a ticking time bomb. Any little thing could set him off. And I had a terrible feeling I was about to be caught in the blast.

The bell over the café door tinkled, drawing my gaze. Relief washed over me as I saw Dawson step inside, holding Taylor’s small hand in his. His eyes, like chips of blue ice, swept over the scene, taking in every detail with a calm, assessing gaze.

Dawson approached the counter, his body language relaxed yet alert. “Hey, Nora,” he greeted me, his deep voice soothing my frayed nerves. “Looks like you’ve got your hands full today.”

I managed a tight smile, acutely aware of Rex’s menacing presence behind me. “Yeah, it’s been… challenging.” My voice wavered slightly, and I hoped Dawson couldn’t hear the fear beneath my words.

His gaze flickered to Rex, then back to me, a silent understanding passing between us. “Why don’t I take Taylor to a booth? We’ll wait for you to finish your shift.” His tone was casual, but I could sense the protective undercurrent in his words.

I nodded gratefully, my heart swelling with appreciation for his steady presence. As Dawson led Taylor to a booth, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy at the easy way he navigated the world, his confidence unshakable. I’d never been like that and I wondered if I ever would be.

Rex’s grating voice shattered the momentary peace. “Well, well, well. Looks like Nora has her very own hero. Come to save the damsel in distress, have you?”

Dawson’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly, but his voice remained even. “Just here to enjoy some coffee with my favorite girl.” He ruffled Taylor’s hair affectionately, and she giggled, oblivious to the tension crackling in the air.

I watched, my heart in my throat, as Dawson settled into the booth, his body angled toward Rex, a silent warning in his posture. He was here, and he wasn’t going anywhere until I was safe. The knowledge filled me with a warmth I hadn’t felt in a long time, even as the cold tendrils of fear continued to grip my heart.

The minutes ticked by with agonizing slowness, each second stretching into an eternity as I tried to focus on my work. The chaos of the café swirled around me, the clamor of dishes and the hum of conversation blurring into a distant buzz. I felt like I was moving through molasses, my limbs heavy with exhaustion and my mind clouded with fear.

Rex’s presence loomed like a dark shadow, his every movement sending a fresh wave of anxiety coursing through my veins. I could feel his eyes on me, watching, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. His words, sharp and cutting, sliced through the air, leaving me raw and exposed.

“Can you believe they let someone like her work here?” he stage-whispered to no one in particular, his voice dripping with disdain. “I bet she’s just waiting for the right opportunity to steal from the register.”

I flinched, my cheeks burning with humiliation as I felt the curious stares from the other customers. With Rex’s reputation, I didn’t think they would believe him, but still… there was a small chance they would. I wanted to disappear, to sink into the ground and never resurface. But I couldn’t let him see how much his words affected me. I had to be strong, for Taylor’s sake if not for my own.

I risked a glance at Dawson, seeking the comfort of his steady gaze. He met my eyes, his expression a mix of concern and reassurance. I could see the tension in his jaw, the way his fingers curled around the edge of the table, ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice.

“Hey, Nora!” Rex called out, his voice sharp and demanding. “How about you stop making eyes at lover boy over there and get me a refill?”

My hands shook as I reached for the coffee pot, and I swallowed hard. I could feel the weight of Rex’s gaze on me, the malevolent glint in his eyes sending shivers down my spine. I wanted nothing more than to run, to escape the suffocating confines of the café and the terror that gripped my heart.

But I couldn’t run. Not with Taylor depending on me. Not with Dawson here, ready to stand between me and the darkness that threatened to consume me. I had to be strong, even as my world crumbled around me. Why did Dawson of all people have to see me like this?

Dawson’s hand closed around mine, his fingers pressing something cold and metallic into my palm. I glanced down, my eyes widening as I recognized the glint of his car keys.

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