Page 4 of Stay With Me
“Mrs. Ann! I was wondering if you were coming in for lunch today. How are you doing?” a young woman asks her.
“Abby! I’m good. Just bringing Luna, who will be helping us at the bed-and-breakfast, for lunch today to meet Joe before we head home.”
Abby offers me her hand. “It’s a pleasure meeting you. I’m glad you’re here to help these two. We’ve been telling them for years they need it.”
I shake her hand. “I’m excited to get started.”
“I’ll see you around. Once you’re settled, let me know. We can plan lunch or something sometime. It’ll be nice to have a new friend my age around town,” Abby says with a smile before heading off to help a customer.
I swallow hard as she walks away. I’ve never allowed myself to make close friends at any of the towns I stopped in for a few months to work. It just didn’t feel fair to me or someone else to start any type of friendship.
As we walk up to a table, an older man stands and greets us. “Hello! I hope the drive over wasn’t too bad.”
“It was quick and easy. Joe, this is Luna, our new employee. Luna, this is my husband, Joe.”
“Hello, sir,” I say, my eyes cast down, a habit I haven’t been able to break since leaving The Family.
“Joe will do just fine. Sit, sit. Let’s order food and talk about your drive down and just get to know each other.”
“Yes, si—I mean Joe, but before I sit, I’d like to wash up a little before we eat,” I say as they both sit down.
“Of course! What would you like to drink? I’ll put the order in so it’s ready for you when you get back,” Ann asks.
“Just water, thank you,” I tell her before I walk away.
Once in the bathroom, I turn the water on and take a deep breath. In less than an hour, strangers have shown me more kindness than any of my previous bosses or my biological parents ever did. I’m not sure how to process this inclusivity that they’re showing me.
Not wanting to keep them waiting, I finish washing up and quickly wipe my hands and face with a damp towel. I open the door and run into something hard.
“I’m so sorry,” someone with a deep voice says as they grip my arms.
“No, it’s my?.?.?.” I look up and am met with the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen, and I lose my train of thought.
“No, it’s not your fault. I should have been paying attention to where I was going instead of being on my phone. Are you okay?” the man asks.
Giving my head a quick shake, I take a step back. “Yeah, I’m perfectly fine. I’m sorry for running into you.”
He drops his hands, and I cross my arms over my midsection, unsure of what to do.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you before. Are you new to town?” he asks and gestures me forward, and I begin walking again.
“Yes. I’m starting at the bed-and-breakfast,” I tell him.
My past has taught me not to trust men, but this man seems different, and I don’t know why.
“Joe and Ann are great people. You couldn’t ask for a better job. My name is Noah,” he adds as we exit the hallway and head into the main dining section.
“Luna,” I reply.
“Well, Luna, it was great meeting you. I’ll probably see you around.” He smiles softly. “And I promise next time, I’ll watch where I’m going.” He laughs.
“It was nice to meet you as well,” I tell him, a soft smile pulling at my lips.
With a wave, he crosses the dining room and sits at the table with a lady who stands to hug him.
I watch them for a moment before walking back to where Joe and Ann are waiting for me.
“I see you met Deputy Noah,” Ann says as I sit down.
