Page 8 of Sheltering Lawson
“That is quite brilliant.” The girl with the cowboy boots said, “Hello, I’m Skylar and this is Samantha.”
“Samantha,” I said. “The pie making master?”
“Yup that’s me. I see someone has been singing my praises.” She smiled broadly. “I can cook as well as Brax, but don’t let him hear you say that. You’re new here, right, Lawson?”
“Yes, just been here a few days and it’s a pleasure to meet you both. I’m supposed to make sure you get the VIP treatment.”
Both women busted out laughing. “That’s good. I’m getting married to Brax’s best friend, Jake Sutton, and Samantha is going to be my sister-in-law. She’s married to Jake’s brother Chase who happens to be best friend and business partner with Ethan the bartender.”
“Yes, of course, I know Ethan.” I tried to keep my voice even, but both of them exchanged glances.
“He’s quite gorgeous, wouldn’t you say?”
Oh, damn my fair skin and blonde hair. I felt my face flush. “He’s been very kind to me.”
“I bet he has,” Samantha said with a smile. “You are cute as a button.”
Desperately needing to change the subject, I said, “Did you have a chance to look at the menu or do you need more time?”
“Oh, shoot, we didn’t. We’ve been so caught up with my wedding.” Skylar slid a book over and opened it to a page with gowns. “What do you think of these?”
I looked at the three gowns she had cut out of magazines. “I’m guessing your favorite flowers are roses. I think you’ve probably been leaning toward this one.” I pointed to a gorgeous off the shoulder with a mermaid skirt. There were rose appliques on the bodice with delicate roses sewn into the train.
“How did you know that?”
“There are roses stitched into your boots and you're wearing tiny pink roses in your ears. It was a guess.”
She glanced at Samantha. “A pretty good one.” Then she turned the page with numerous pictures of flowers, bouquets, arrangements, and decorations. “Take a look at the—”
“Ladies,” Ethan said coming up to the table. “You realize you’re keeping our best waitress here to pour over wedding plans when there are hungry people to serve,” he said good-naturedly.
“Oh, we’re so sorry, but she’s been such a great help. What time do you get off?” Skylar asked.
I was taken aback. “Me?”
“Yes, why don’t you join us for dinner since you’re new in town. We can have a girl’s night,” Samantha said.
“Be careful of those two,” Ethan said in a stage whisper and both of them laughed.
“What do you say?”
My connection was instantaneous as if I’d known them my whole life. “Yes, of course. You’re VIPs after all.”
Later that night I was doing my nightly routine after enjoying the time of my life with Sam and Sky. I knew it was stupid and risky, but they had been so much fun and I’d had a little too much to drink. After I’d washed my hair, I was a little too dizzy to bend over and blow it dry, so I headed out of the bathroom.
“Lawson?” Ethan was standing there taking in my wet hair and my comfy sleeping clothes.
I closed my eyes, mortified that this man I knew little about and respected so much was witnessing this—this embarrassment. God, I wanted to have a least some small scrap of pride to cling to, but that too, was tearing out of my grasp.
“Ethan,” I said, forcing a bright smile. “My shower is broken, and I was just washing my hair. Please don’t mention this to Braxton.” My hold on my control, slippery and tenuous at best these days, slipped a little further. I felt as if I was hanging on to it by the ragged, bitten-down remains of my fingernails and it was still pulling away. I had come here to refuel, but it was turning out to be so much more than a way stop.
“Oh, okay. Would you like me to walk you to your car? It’s late.”
“No, thank you. I’m fine,” I mumbled. Before he could say anything, I rushed past him and got into my car. Starting the engine, I drove out of the parking lot. A few miles later, I pulled off onto a dirt road, finding a place where I could spend the night. I locked the doors and climbed into the back seat, quite aware that he hadn’t believed a word I’d said and not able to shake the compassion and sympathy in his eyes.
God, I didn’t want him to care.
I was going to leave, had to leave, even if everything in me wanted to stay in this safe haven. But nowhere was safe, I reminded myself. What would happen to these people if he caught me here? I couldn’t chance it.
