Page 13 of Hold the Line

I shrugged. “Nowhere else to be.”

She moved from foot to foot, letting her bag slip from her elbow to her fingers. “Well…if I thought you’d accept, I’d tell you you’ve earned free coffee and pastries for life.”

“Not necessary. Anyone would’ve stepped in.”

“I’m not so sure about that.” She plucked her keys from her pocket and smiled softly. “But the fact is, you did. Let me be grateful. You’re my personal hero, Deacon.”

My gut knotted with discomfort. I turned my head, jerking my chin. “If that’s what you need, all right.”

I was nowhere near a hero, but if Phoebe Kelly wanted to make me one in her mind to feel safer, she could. My hands were empty. That was one thing I could give her.

Chapter Seven

Phoebe

Ifmysiblingshadbeen overprotective before theincident, they were practically velcroed to me now. My parents and grandparents were even worse, constantly calling and dropping by just to make sure I was still in one piece.

A week later, I could admit I was still a little shaky, even though there’d been no sign of Ry or his buddies. Camille had upped her hours so neither of us was left alone when the shop was open, but that wasn’t a long-term solution. I needed to find another part-time employee—fast.

I’d sent another notice to the high school. So far, there were only a couple nibbles, no real bites.

That changed when a waiflike girl with strawberry-blonde hair finally worked up the nerve to step inside after pacing the sidewalk for several minutes.

I smiled at her. “Hi, how can I help you?”

Her grip on the edge of the counter was so tight her knuckles went white. “I was wondering if you’re still hiring. My guidance counselor told me you were, but I didn’t see a sign, so I thought maybe you’d already hired someone. I can go. I’ll—”

“We’re still hiring,” I cut in gently.

“Oh. Good.” She gave me a wobbly smile. Boy, this girl was adorably nervous. “Is there an application or…?”

Two people filed in behind her. With Camille on her break, I couldn’t give her my full attention, so I pointed to the gap in the counter, making a snap decision. “Come on back. We can talk while I take care of these customers.”

Her brows rose, but she didn’t hesitate to duck behind the counter. While I filled orders, she told me her name was Hailey. She was almost sixteen, a sophomore at Sugar Brush High School, and had never held a job besides babysitting.

But she’d done alotof babysitting.

I’d already been leaning toward hiring her, but I became sold the moment she started pitching in without being asked.

“There’s one thing,” she said during a lull.

I paused mid-wipe on a coffee spill. “What’s that?”

“Well…I don’t have a bank account, and I’m not sure my foster family would let me have one. I know this is asking a lot, but would it be possible to be paid in cash?” Her pale cheeks flushed bright red as she avoided my gaze.

It wasn’t the first time a part-timer had asked for cash, and it was usually for a good reason. Hailey seemed motivated and eager. She needed the job.

“I can do that.” I grabbed an application from the shelf. “Fill this out for me. You can skip the tax stuff. I’ll need a reference if you can provide it and all your contact information.”

Her mouth spread into a wide grin. “I can definitely do that. Thank you so, so much. If you hire me, I won’t let you down, I promise.”

I laughed at her unabashed enthusiasm. “I’m sure you won’t. I have a good feeling about you.”

Her eyes locked on mine, earnest and hopeful. “I have a good feeling too.”

My grandparents arrived at closing time, claiming they’d missed me terribly. I didn’t point out that they saw me days ago, and since spending time with them was no hardship, I happily agreed to let them treat me to dinner at Joy’s.

Grandad walked between my grandmother and me, his arms linked with both of ours, chest puffed out with pride. That was how he always looked when he had one or more of his “best girls” by his side.

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