Page 8 of Goose's Wren

I nod, heart thudding.“Yeah.Hi.”

“Oh my God.I thought that was you.”She rounds the counter and pulls me in for a light hug.I go stiff for a second, but she doesn’t press.“It’s been forever.You’re back in town?”

“Yeah.Just got back last week.”I force a smile.“I’ve been meaning to stop by.”

“Well, I’m glad you did.This is Hayden, she co-runs Wolf’s Landing out near the ridge with my husband, Blade.”

Hayden offers a small wave and a friendly smile.“Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, too,” I say, adjusting my sunglasses even though it’s dumb to wear them indoors.

I know they’re looking.I know Bella’s looking.The bruise might be faint under makeup, but the swelling’s still there, and the sunglasses probably make it more obvious.

I glance up at the menu chalkboard.“Can I get a large iced coffee?Just black.”

Bella nods, but she doesn’t move to make it right away.“You want anything to eat?I’ve got fresh muffins, banana bread, scones...”

I shake my head.“Just the coffee.Thanks.”

She hesitates another second, then heads back behind the counter.I feel her eyes on me the whole time, like she’s trying to figure out the right question to ask.

Hayden steps up next to her and starts loading the espresso machine, but she’s sneaky about the way she’s watching me too.

“So,” Bella starts casually, “you staying with family or...?”

“Not really.Just...renting a place.”

“Out by the ridge?”she asks, her tone light, but I can feel the edge of something beneath it.

“Yeah,” I say, keeping my voice even.“The trailer on my family’s old land.”

Bella glances at Hayden, then back at me.“That place was supposed to be condemned, wasn’t it?”

“Guess no one followed through,” I mutter.

There’s a long pause before Hayden hands over the coffee.“You ever worked in a coffee shop before?”

I blink, caught off guard.“Uh...no.Why?”

“We’re short-staffed,” Bella says smoothly, but her gaze is sharp.“And you’re clearly not afraid of early mornings.”

My hand tightens around the cup.The lid creaks.She’s trying to help.Offering a job without prying, but we both know what she’s doing.She saw the bruise.She saw it the second I walked in.

She’s not asking what happened.She’s giving me a way to fix it.A way to get out.

“I’ll think about it,” I say softly.“Thanks.”

“No pressure,” Bella says, her voice gentle now.“But if you want a place where your tips don’t disappear out of your wallet before the end of the day...we’ve got one.”

I meet her eyes then.She doesn’t look away.It’s an odd feeling to be seen without opening up to someone.

Bella smiles gently and reaches for a cloth to wipe her hands.“Hang on a second.I’m gonna run to the back and let my mom know you’re here.She used to worry about you.Always asking if anyone had heard anything.”

Before I can stop her, she’s already disappearing through the swinging door that leads to the back kitchen.

I’m left standing there, coffee in hand with my heart hammering like I’ve been caught doing something wrong.

I shift uncomfortably, sipping from my cup to distract myself.It’s strong, maybe a little bitter, but it’s perfect.And it reminds me I’m still standing, still here.No matter what Tim tries to take from me, he hasn’t taken me yet.

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