by Lena Gregory
Since Gia didn’t have any family, she hadn’t found it odd at the time, but now, in light of his current circumstances, she was beginning to wonder if he’d been purposefully evasive, avoiding talk of his past.
She shook off the suspicion starting to sneak in. She was being ridiculous. Giving up on the yearbook site, since she wasn’t getting up for her credit card, or subscribing to a website she might never use again, she switched to Facebook.
She started with Trevor’s name. Yikes. Who knew the name Trevor Barnes was so popular? She scrolled through tons of Trevor Barnes without finding her Trevor, then gave up and typed in Mitch Anderson. His name was just as popular, and she didn’t find a profile for Mitch, but she did find his public page.
Though she scrolled through several months’ worth of posts, Mitch didn’t post any personal information. Actually, his posts were all political and routinely posted once a day and could just as easily have been posted by an assistant.
She hit pay dirt with Ron Parker. Not only did he have a profile, but he was quite active, sometimes posting several times a day. In addition to the routine “vote for me” posts, Ron also shared memes regularly, fun facts about local history, and old pictures of the area. Nothing on his profile indicated he knew he was in danger. His last post, which went up on Thursday morning, was a photograph from 1882 of what was now the park by the lake.
She searched his friends for Trevor or Mitch, but neither of them came up. The name Allison brought the same No results message. Since she’d already stalked Gabriella’s profile, she gave up and started to close the computer, then paused and reopened it. She typed in Skyla Broussard. An image of Skyla and Willow popped up, their heads leaned close together, huge smiles on both of their faces. Skyla’s profile was the same as her profile picture, happy and often involving Willow—pride at her acing her exams, an article about her doing volunteer work, even a picture of her mid eye-roll behind the counter at the café.
She had about a hundred and seventy friends, and after a quick search for the usual suspects using the search box, Gia skimmed through all of them. Though many of them were familiar from around town or the café, nothing out of the ordinary jumped out at her.
There was also no mention of going out of town or any emergency that would have kept Willow from coming to work.
She closed the lid, slid the laptop onto the coffee table, and sipped her lukewarm tea. She stared at her chart for a couple of minutes, but she couldn’t make any sense of it. Finally, she added Skyla’s name to the bottom right corner with a question mark after it. She had no clue how Skyla fit into the equation yet, but couldn’t ignore the nagging suspicion that she did.
Giving up for the moment, she checked her phone for missed calls. Nothing. She tried Willow again for the umpteen-millionth time, again to no avail. Having exhausted all her options, she lifted her laptop lid enough to stuff the chart inside, closed the laptop, stood, and stretched.
“Come on, Thor.” She yawned as she headed down the hallway toward the bedroom, then dug her suitcase out from the very back of the closet. She wanted to stay late at the café tomorrow, maybe even stay over at the apartment above it, so she’d have time to make sure everything was prepped for Monday morning. If Willow showed up, of course. Without Willow to run the dining room, Gia wasn’t going anywhere.
As usual, the thought of leaving anyone else to run things brought a tidal wave of anxiety. As did the thought of leaving Thor. Even though she had no doubt Joey would take good care of him, she hadn’t left him since he’d come to live with her. She petted his head where he lay sprawled on the floor next to her.
He nuzzled her for a moment, then scrambled to his feet and fled the room, the click, click, click of his nails against the floor following him down the hallway.
Sweat popped out on her forehead, and she wiped it with her sleeve. She’d beat herself up over going away a million times already, always with the same results. At the end of the day, she wasn’t going to disappoint Savannah. If everything went according to plan and Willow showed up safe and sound.
She pulled a couple of sundresses out of the closet and lay them on the bed, then knelt and dug through her closet for comfy sandals. Though her idea of a vacation involved a lot of time off her feet, she had a sneaking suspicion Savannah’s didn’t. And if she was going to do a lot of walking, she’d need her comfy shoes. She pulled out a small stack of blankets and unearthed the beige sandals. “Ta da.”
“What’s that?”
Gia whirled toward the voice and screeched.
Hunt leaned against the doorjamb, arms folded across his chest, cocky grin firmly in place.
Thor stood at his side, head cocked, staring at her.
“Traitor.” She pointed to Thor, then rounded on Hunt. “Remind me why I ever gave you a key.”
“In case of an emergency. And so I wouldn’t have to wait outside for you to come let me in.”
She climbed to her feet and brushed the dust from her knees. “Yeah, well, keep sneaking up on me, and you won’t have it anymore.”
Hunt laughed and opened his arms.
She slid into them, pressed her ear against his chest, and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I wasn’t sure when I’d hear from you again.”
“Things have been crazy.”
Though she waited, he offered nothing more.
She looked up at him without lifting her head from his chest. “Have you eaten?”
“Not in a while.”
“I have more than three quarters of a meat lover’s pie left, if you want me to heat it up and make a cup of coffee?”
“That sounds perfect.”
She reluctantly straightened and headed back to the kitchen. While she started the coffee pot and stuck the pie into the oven, she bit her tongue to keep from asking about Trevor. He’d know she was going crazy wondering what was going on, so if he didn’t bring it up, she figured he didn’t want to discuss it. And she would respect that. For now. “Are you done working for tonight?”
He glanced at his watch. “Nah, I have to go back in a little while.”
His phone rang, and he stepped out onto the back deck, taking Thor with him.
Gia heated the pie and a leftover container of home fries, made his coffee, and set everything on the table. When he still wasn’t back, she peeked out the window.
Hunt held up a finger, then said something into the phone, disconnected the call, and whistled for Thor to come in. When he opened the door, Gia refrained from pouncing. She gave herself a mental pat on the back for succeeding. It wasn’t easy with a million questions battering at her, begging for answers. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, I was waiting for that call. I’m going to have to go back.”
“Will you have time to eat first, or should I put it in a container for you to take with you?”
“I have a few minutes.” He sat and started eating.
Gia poured herself a cup of coffee, more for something to do than any desire to drink it, then sat across from him. When it was obvious he wasn’t going to say anything to alleviate the strained silence between them, Gia blurted, “Are you going to question Trevor again?”
“He’s already been released.”
“Released? How? I thought you arrested him?”
Hunt finished chewing and swallowed before answering. “He was arrested, and he was arraigned, and then he posted bail and was released.”
Gia waited while Hunt took another bite, then swallowed it and sipped his coffee. Now he was starting to get on her nerves. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on, or do I have to sit here and play twenty questions?”
He slid his plate back. “What do you want from me, Gia? If I ask you to stay away from Trevor, are you going to listen? Seems you’ve been spending an awful lot of time with him lately.”
The last statement sounded a
bit too accusatory. “Trevor is a friend.”
“Mmm…hmm…”
Gia lurched back as if he’d slapped her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I don’t know, Gia, but I just spent the better part of twenty-four hours grilling Trevor about where he’s been and who he’s been spending time with lately, and your name came up repeatedly.”
“We’re friends, Hunt. That’s it. And you already know that, because I tell you when I’m hanging out with Trevor.” Gia couldn’t help the hurt at his attitude. “I haven’t complained once that you haven’t had any time to spend with me since you took over as captain. I understood, and I’ve tried to be as supportive as possible. Even staying up in the middle of the night to feed you when I have to be up early the next morning for work.”
Hunt raked his hands through his thick, dark hair and sighed. “Look, Gia, I’m sorry, okay? I haven’t slept in more than thirty-six hours, every agency under the sun is breathing down my neck on this, and my nerves are shot. I’m not accusing you of anything, but there are things I can’t tell you, and I have to ask you to keep your distance from Trevor, and I know you’re going to give me a hard time about it.”
She didn’t say anything. What could she say? He was right. She wasn’t going to stay away from Trevor without a valid reason. She was about to tell Hunt as much, when she took a good look at him.
Dark circles ringed his deep brown eyes, stress lines bracketed his mouth, and his hair was more disheveled than usual, probably from raking his hands through it as he often did when stressed.
“Hunt, I’m not trying to make things difficult for you. I understand you aren’t able to tell me everything. That’s the nature of your job, and I respect that. But you have to respect me too. How would you feel if I turned my back on Savannah because someone told me to, without any explanation?”
He hung his head and massaged the bridge of his nose. “You’re right. I wouldn’t be too happy. And one of the things I love most about you is your fierce sense of loyalty…”
Her heart skipped a beat. Love? Had he said love most? Probably just an expression.
“But I don’t know what’s going on with Trevor, and I’m concerned for your safety.”
Gia smiled, partly over the love most comment but also at the thought of Trevor being in any way dangerous. “You can’t possibly think Trevor would do anything to hurt me. That’s man’s as meek as a teddy bear.”
“Or so he lets on.” He gritted his teeth together as if to stem the flow of words.
The warm fuzzies she’d started to feel fled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Jaw clenched, Hunt closed his eyes for a minute, then opened them. “Okay, I’m going to tell you something, but you have to promise me you’ll keep it to yourself.”
Gia nodded.
“I mean it, Gia. I’m not in the habit of keeping secrets from Savannah, but you can’t even tell her. Okay?”
Though keeping secrets from Savannah didn’t sit well with her, she knew Hunt would never ask unless it was absolutely necessary, so she agreed.
“This isn’t the first time Trevor’s been arrested.”
She couldn’t react in time to school her expression. Although her eyes widened, she did manage to keep her mouth shut.
“Last time, he was a juvenile, and the record was sealed. That’s the phone call I was waiting for and just received. His last arrest ended with him being ordered to attend court-mandated anger management classes.”
Chapter 11
Gia had tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep after Hunt had left. Despite her practically pleading, he’d clammed up and wouldn’t offer another word about Trevor or his past. While she’d stopped short of agreeing to stay away from him completely, she did promise she wouldn’t call him.
And it had driven her crazy all night, before she’d finally given up on getting any sleep and headed to the cafe.
Gia shook off thoughts of Trevor and Hunt and Ron Parker, who’d haunted her fitful sleep as well, and tried to focus on the task at hand. She read over the list she’d started and added “restock refrigerator” to the bottom. Most of her stock was kept in a huge walk-in refrigerated case in the back of the storage room, and she regularly refilled the smaller refrigerator in the kitchen. One thing that drove her crazy was a cluttered kitchen, especially the refrigerator. She couldn’t take having to move a gazillion things around in order to find what she needed. She simply didn’t have time for that, and she ran her kitchen in the most time efficient way possible. Thankfully, Cole got that.
She added “pick up supplies” to the list. Sometime during the day, she’d have to run out for a few things they were running short on. If Willow showed up for work. If not, she’d spend another day running the dining room. She glanced at the clock above the cutout and stuck the list beside the register where she’d be sure to see it a million times. Not that it would matter; she’d still probably forget something.
With one last look around that everything was ready and the coffee pots were all started, she unlocked the door and held it open.
Earl stood outside, as usual, waiting for her to let him in.
“Good morning, Earl.”
“Mornin’.” He tipped his fisherman’s cap on his way past. “Sleep well?”
“Didn’t sleep at all, actually.” She followed him to his usual stool and poured coffee for both of them, then she sat on the stool next to his.
“Any word on Willow?”
Her gaze shot to the clock again. “Nothing, but she should be here anytime now.”
“I’m sure she’s fine.” The flare of concern in his eyes belied his words.
“I keep racking my brain, trying to remember if she told me she needed off and I just forgot.”
Earl gave a half-hearted shrug and sipped his coffee. “We both know that’s not likely.”
Gia couldn’t argue. If Willow had needed off, she’d have told Gia, but she would have also told Savannah and asked her to fill in. Especially on a Sunday morning, her busiest day. “If she doesn’t come in, I’ll have to run the dining room again. Can you pitch in and help Cole in the kitchen if it gets busy?”
“Of course.”
A knock on the front door brought a wave of relief. She looked up expecting to see Willow staring in at her, though she’d given her a key, and found Cybil waving instead. She’d forgotten she’d invited her to breakfast.
“Excuse me.” Gia ran and opened the front door. Since no one else was waiting outside and she still had ten minutes before her listed opening time, she ushered Cybil inside and locked the door behind her. She left the keys hanging in the lock and offered her a seat at the counter. “I’m glad you came.”
“Me too. I’m not too early, am I?”
“Not at all. Earl and I always share a cup of coffee before I open. Would you like some?”
“Sure, thank you.” Cybil propped her walking stick against the wall, hung her cloak on a hook next to it, and settled onto the stool.
Gia stopped short for a second at the sight of Cybil in jeans and a long sleeve T-shirt, then recovered. Her perception of Cybil had been so far off the mark it was laughable. She introduced Cybil to Earl.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Cybil.” He held out his hand.
She captured his hand in both of hers and smiled. “Now this is a content soul.”
“Why, yes I am.” Earl’s eyes lit up.
Gia placed Cybil’s coffee in front of her and lay a menu beside the coffee. “Are you excited to pick up Caesar?”
Cybil released Earl’s hand and wrapped her hands around the warm cup. “I can’t wait. I was up all night getting everything ready for him. As soon as the pet supply store opens, I’ll stop for what I need and go get him.”
Gia’s key ring jiggled in the lock as Willow unlocked the front door, yanked i
t open, and strode through. “I’m sorry about yesterday, Gia, I…uh…”
Gia rounded the counter and rushed toward her. “Are you okay? Did something happen?”
Willow glanced at Cybil and Earl, then apologized again and lowered her gaze, but not before Gia caught her red-rimmed, puffy eyes.
“Were you sick?”
“No, I umm… My mom needed me.”
Getting the impression Willow didn’t want to talk in front of anyone, Gia let it go. “I’m glad everything is okay. I was worried.”
“I’m sorry to make you worry. I just couldn’t get a chance to call.”
“It’s fine, Willow, really.”
Willow nodded and set to work checking that the dining room was stocked. She grabbed an order pad and started writing down what she’d need. It wouldn’t be much, since Gia had come in early enough to do it, but Willow seemed to need the routine, so Gia let her go through the motions. She watched her for a moment longer, then glanced at Earl.
He frowned and shook his head briefly.
Gia got out an order pad and pen, then forced her focus to Cybil. “Do you know what you want for breakfast?”
She grinned and gestured a thumb at Earl. “I’ll have what he’s having.”
Gia’s eyes went wide as she took in Cybil’s frail build. Without the cloak, she appeared even more petite than Gia had realized. “Do you know what he eats for breakfast?”
Earl snorted.
“Oh, no offense, I’m just saying, well…uh…”
Cybil laughed. “Yes, I know what he eats. He told me, and it all sounds so delicious. Now I couldn’t eat like that every day, mind you, but I am celebrating a special occasion today, what with Caesar coming home and all, so I figured why not treat myself?”
“Okay, you’ve got it.” Gia tucked the order pad in her apron pocket. “One of everything coming right up.”
Cybil and Earl laughed, then returned to their conversation as Gia headed back to start their breakfast orders. Willow would unlock the door in a few minutes, and Gia wanted to get a head start before she did.
