Page 10 of Javier

Five miles south of the Narrows, he made a U-turn and headed to the bakery. It was early. Chocolate eclairs would still be available. He would head to Daphne’s, knowing full well she would see the treats as a sign that he needed to bare his soul. Even if he got cold feet, just being in her presence would be comforting. After all this time, Mom helped him keep his head on straight. She was the mother of his heart and conscience.

* * *

Memphis knocked again. A shiny, newer big-ass black truck was parked in the yard under a large oak. There was no drive. She parked the GTO behind the truck and approached the impressive post and beam house. It was a surprise after being at his shop and seeing him at the Wake. She expected a lot less.

He had to be home. It was seven-thirty on a Saturday morning. Quiet. Maybe Javier Cabrera had an overnight guest, and they were still asleep, or going at it. She knew his full name now and where he lived, having asked the same nice woman at the diner yesterday, and was happy that she had found the man Pops wanted her to talk to.

She closed her eyes, imagining it was her underneath him as he pumped into her, then opened them, gasping and flushing.What the hell is wrong with me? I don’t go for older guys and I’m not here for that. Yes, you are.

She ordered rosemary-honey scones and two coffees-to-go at the diner instead of having breakfast there, hoping to catch him and talk. A peace offering for getting off on the wrong foot and a thank you for the ride back to the inn last night. That ride, though short, jettisoned all sorts of naughty vignettes into her sleep—of her and him in the sheets, the river, and the woods.

Memphis was exhausted and horny as hell.

She knocked again. Frustrated by no answer, she walked the wraparound porch, her jaw dropping when she reached the back. The view was stunning. She dropped into one of the chairs at the table and decided to enjoy a scone and coffee. Where he lived was so peaceful. A haven. Who would ever have guessed that the handsome surly dude had it in him to live in such incredible surroundings? She could live here and never look back.

Memphis lost track of time was getting ready to help herself to the other coffee when she heard footsteps.

“Javi?” A woman’s voice called.

Oh shit.She was caught red-handed making herself totally at home. What had she been thinking? She stood abruptly, then froze, unsure where to scuttle off to and came face-to-face with a petite, very fit older woman with a new-age vibe.

“Well, good morning. Seems I’m interrupting my son’s morning. But I’m here.” The white-headed woman settled in another chair. “You are?”

“Memphis, ma’am.”

“Nice to make your acquaintance. I apologize for the assumption. Frankly, I was surprised. He’s never brought a woman here.”

How does she know that?“I didn’t catch your name.”

“I’m Daphne. Kayce. I was up early and thought I’d surprise Javi and have coffee. Talk. How do you know my son?”

Her son?“Your son?”

“Yes. Well, Javi allowed me to claim him as such. I fostered him and his brothers and sister. I raised them with my daughter Samantha. She goes by Sammi or Sam.”

“I met Sammi last night. She’s very nice. Would you like this scone? It’s from Daphne’s Din— Is that your place?” Memphis needed time to process all of this. She had landed right in the thick of her father’s family.

“It used to be. My daughter Rose has it now. I’d love a scone. Left hungry. Are you going to drink that coffee?”

“No ma’am. I brought it for Javier, but it seems he isn’t here. I wandered back and lost all sense of time.” She glanced out at the river and back at Daphne. “The view …” she said, as an explanation.

“Yes, I understand about losing time. It’s pure solitude here. Javi showed me this property and his plans after he bought it. I watched him build his home.” Daphne swept her hand in a large arc. “All of this had been good for him.” She sipped her coffee, watching Memphis with interest. “How do you know him?”

“I don’t really. I arrived in Torch River yesterday.”

“That pretty Goat with the Texas tags is yours?” Few referred to a GTO by its affectionate nickname given by muscle car enthusiasts.

“It was my father’s. He had it restored. I helped him work on it.”

“Was it always red?”

“From what I understand. He bought it the year he turned sixteen. Came across it at?—”

“McCamey’s Garage.” Daphne finished, nodding sagely, and wearing a wide smile. Her eyes watered. “He loved working there. He was so excited about that bucket of rust. He wanted one like the one I had when he was younger. The other kids teased him, but he told them, ‘Just you wait.’”

“Yes.” Memphis blinked rapidly at the tears threatening to spill down her cheeks.

Daphne grasped Memphis’s hand across the table and squeezed it. “Tell me about my Ransom. He up and disappeared one day. My heart hasn’t been the same since. How is he?”

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