Page 107 of Hunters and Prey

Chapter 6

Fox’s Diner waspacked that night. Cailyn and Asher stepped inside the retro style diner with classic checkered floor tiles, red chairs, white tables and counter tops. The jukebox played popular hits from the fifties as cute high school girls and young women in matching pink dresses and checkered caps served customers.

The vibe was one of fun and friendliness until Cailyn showed up.

Cailyn breathed a sigh when all eyes seemed to turn to them despite the boisterous chatter that filled the air. It was as if the life had been sucked from the room when they recognized her. That was the bad part about knowing everyone. They knew all of your business. College kids, older adults, and even children stared at her as if she’d walked in there with horns on her head.

Elliot, Asher’s dad, stood behind the counter with a checkered apron over his black slacks and white collared shirt. She loved that place. Everything fit with the theme of a cool diner from the movies her father used to love.

Elliot motioned for them to come forward to two seats he’d saved for them at the bar area.

“Cailyn,” Elliot said with a bright smile. He came from behind the counter and gave her a warm hug.

For a man in his fifties, Elliot was unbelievably handsome. He had such a friendly face that Cailyn couldn’t help but smile back. With salt and pepper hair and blue eyes, he looked like Pierce Brosnan to her. She used to always call him James Bond when she was younger. Cailyn figured Asher had good genes and would be as attractive as he was now as they grew old together.

“Good to see you, sweetheart,” he said with a charming Southern accent. He nodded to Asher as he went back behind the counter. “Glad you could bring your girl in to see your old pa.”

“What are you talking about, Dad? You saw Cailyn almost every day when you were the groundskeeper at Alexander Hall,” Asher said rubbing Cailyn’s back.

Pulling two glasses from the shelf, Elliot set them under the soda tap.

“That was a long time ago. I started to forget what her beautiful face looked like.” Elliot gave Cailyn a wink.

Cailyn grinned. “Thanks, Mr. Fox. I’ve missed you too. Is Sue around?”

“Naw. She went home early. She can’t seem to get rid of this awful cough she’s been having. And her poor nose keeps running.”

“She okay?” Asher looked concerned. He sat beside Cailyn and reached for two menus from the menu holder. He handed Cailyn one. “I spoke to her yesterday, and she didn’t mention not feeling well.”

“She’s all right. Just those damned allergies.”

“Oh good,” Cailyn said. “We will visit her tomorrow. I’ll make her some soup.”

“She’d love that.” Elliot handed her a root beer float, her favorite.

“Thank you,” she said. “You remembered.”

Leaning on the counter top, Elliot put a straw in each glass. “How could I forget? You and Asher used to come in here in your school uniforms every day after school and order the same thing.”

Cailyn’s smile widened. Those memories were her favorite. She didn’t know how she would have survived growing up in Alexander Hall without Asher’s friendship and the kindness of her family.

“Good memory,” Cailyn said, taking a sip of the cold drink before her.

Elliot looked from Asher to Cailyn, his face becoming serious. “How are you holding up? I keep hearing so much about the whole Prince trial and his death today that I could barely focus on putting out orders for worrying about you. Tell me you’re ignoring all of that gossip going around.”

“I’m fine,” Cailyn said. She sat up straight. “It is just gossip after all. I just ignore it.”

“Good girl,” Elliot said.

Asher rubbed her back again, relaxing her. “She’s been pretty strong through it all.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Elliot nodded. “So, what are you two having for dinner tonight?”

“We’re actually getting take out. We want to go to the lake for a bit to watch the sunset.”

“Now doesn’t that sound nice?” Elliot looked from Asher to Cailyn. “You know he gets his romantic side from me, right?”

Cailyn laughed. “I believe it. Sue’s a lucky woman, and I’m a lucky girl.”

---