“I don’t have a choice.” The look she gave him was laced with a “why should you care” attitude.
“But...” He had nothing. How can you pour all your love and longing for another person out in the middle of a diner?
She glanced at him again, and the colour rose in his cheeks. He was blushing like a schoolgirl. Damn, he always looked like such an idiot in front of her.
“What Daryl means to say,” Sam said, coming to his rescue as always, “is that Bear Creek always looks wonderful in the winter. Snow covers the ground, and the rivers freeze. We’ve even gone skating before on the big pond at the farm in the past. Would be a shame for you to miss it.”
“That sounds wonderful. I'd really love to stay. I thought I would settle here. But maybe it wasn’t to be. I’ve always developed itchy feet and moved on after a couple of months. I thought this might be different, but if I can’t make the rent, I’ll have to move on.”
“That would be a shame, Kayleigh,” Sam said, looking at Daryl with sympathy.
“Thanks, Sam.” She looked around the diner. “I have to go.”
She went off to her other tables, and Daryl couldn’t take his eyes off the way she moved. Another part of him tuned into her too. His cock had become incredibly hard, just like it did every time he saw her. What the hell was he going to do? There was no way he could let her leave.
“It seems, Daryl, that unless you wake up and talk to her, you are going to lose your mate for good.”
“What am I supposed to do?"
"I don’t know. But you’d better come up with something fast.” Sam picked up his knife and fork and began to eat. Pausing, he said, “By the way, I still need that barn roof fixed up. I thought you could come over and give me a hand next week if you don’t have anything planned.”
“I am pretty booked up, Sam. It might not be for a couple of weeks.”
“Come on. Do your brother a favour.”
“I’ll be able to fit you in after I’ve finished the Rawlings’ place.”
“No way I can twist your arm?”
“Sorry, Sam.” Daryl let his gaze wander back to Kayleigh as she walked to the kitchen with her order. When she thought no one was looking, her face slipped and she blinked back tears.
Daryl’s heart jolted. He had to do something to help her, and help himself. She couldn’t leave. He had to come out of his shell and make her stay.
Chapter Two - Kayleigh
Having spent her whole life moving from one foster home to another, she had finally felt as though she belonged. The people were friendly. Even if some of them were a little intense. Well, one of them. Daryl Cartwright. He looked at her in a way that made her heart ache, but then never spoke to her. Not a single coherent sentence in the two months she had been here.
At first, she thought he was shy, but lately she had concluded that he was just not into her. Until his short outburst a moment ago. She swept her thoughts aside; she had to concentrate on her job. She would be leaving in a couple of weeks, and no amount of wishful thinking was going to change that.
“Here we are, Johnny. Table three’s order.” She handed the slip of paper to the owner of the diner, who also happened to be the cook.
“Thanks, Kayleigh.” He smiled at her and began cooking.
The door to the diner opened and in spilled a group of bikers. Their hangout was a secluded place out in the woods, but they always came in for breakfast.
When she first moved here, they had frightened her. But this was not your average biker gang, and their leader was not your average man. Six foot four, and one of the most handsome men she had ever seen, Will was always polite. And tipped big. Right now, he was seated at one of her tables.
“Hi, boys, what can I get you? The usual?”
“Yes, please, Kayleigh. And might I add, you look particularly pretty today.” He smiled and set her at ease.
“Thanks, Will. I’ll get your order.” She walked back to the kitchen smiling. She liked Will. She liked him a lot. Out of all the people in Bear Creek he was always nice to her, always complimented her. Above all, he was safe. In a big brother kind of way. He never made a pass at her. Early on, they had both accepted there was no mutual attraction.
“Breakfast for the biker squad,” she told Johnny.
He always put their order through as a priority. It appeared Will had more friends and influence than your average longhaired biker did. While she waited, she looked around the diner. Checking if any of her tables needed anything, not really concentrating on anything particular. Until Daryl Cartwright caught her eye. He quickly looked away. What was it with him?
“Here we go. This is for table three. Come straight back and the breakfasts will be ready.”
“Sure.” She weaved in and out of the tables, her eyes flicking over to Daryl once more. This time he was talking to Sam. A heated discussion. Those two never argued, and she wondered what it was about. None of your business, she told herself.
“Thank you, Kayleigh.”
“No problem. Is there anything else I can get you?”
“No. That smells delicious.”
“Give me a shout if you need anything.”
Going to get coffee for Will and his friends, she poured it into their cups. Then she went straight back to fetch their food. Her feet were beginning to ache, and she couldn’t wait for her shift to end. Then she planned to go home to change, and take off for a hike up the mountain. It would be good to clear her head and get some perspective on her life.
“OK. Five breakfasts.”
“Thanks, honey.” Will watched her put the food down and then looked up at her face. “Everything alright with you, Kayleigh?”
“Yes. Thanks, Will.”
“No one bothering you?”
She looked at him sharply. “No. Why?”
He lowered his voice. “You look a little upset.”
“Oh. It’s nothing important. I’m going to be moving on, that’s all.”
“You’re leaving Bear Creek? Not many people do.”
“It’s not that I want to. But my shifts only last for another week or so. Then I have to move on, unless I find another job. But I’ve been asking around. There doesn’t seem to be anything.”
“That would be a shame. I thought you were happy here.”
“I am. But I've got to make the rent or move on.”
“I understand.”
They all started eating, and Kayleigh went to wipe down her tables. The clock over the counter seemed to tick by so very slowly. She knew that the best thing was to keep busy. Still, she wished she could turn the hands forward and get off work. For some reason today, everything felt too much. Too much noise, too much food, and too many people. The diner was not exactly the perfect job for someone who preferred the quiet and solitude of the mountains.
She caught herself staring out of the window and went back to work, once more catching the fleeting glances of Daryl. He might never have spoken to her, but she was going to miss him for some reason. Perhaps it was because ever since she got here she had fantasised about him talking to her. How sad was that? Not about him kissing her, or making love to her. Simply talking to her.
“Thanks, Will.” He was leaving, a nice tip on his table.
“No problem. Listen. What time do you get off work?”
She looked at the clock, feeling a little nervous. “In half an hour.”
“I’ll wait down the street for you. Come find me when you finish.”
Kayleigh watched him saunter off, his crew in tow. She suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if everyone was looking at her. She ducked her head and began to clear the plates. Now she became aware of just who was staring at her. Daryl. His face clouded with anger.
She had never seen him react to anything with so much emotion. Even the time when she spilt hot coffee on him had provoked him into nothing more than a curse. For which he immediately apologised. Perhaps it was time to move on. She was becoming unsure if he might turn out to be s
ome kind of stalker weirdo.
Still, she had to meet Will, if nothing more than for politeness’s sake. So when her shift ended she collected her coat and purse, and made her way out of the diner.
“Bye, Johnny. See you tomorrow.”
“Bye Kayleigh. Enjoy the rest of the day, while I slave over a hot oven.”
She smiled at him, knowing he loved his job. It made him the centre of gossip in the town. The waitresses were always passing titbits of information his way. Johnny was like the linchpin that kept the diner running, and she would miss him.
Standing outside, she looked down the road to where the motorbikes were parked. Well, one motorbike; it appeared Will was waiting for her alone. What was she going to do if he propositioned her? That was a joke. No man ever really showed interest in her. Except for Daryl, she reminded herself. OK, no normal man. She was a little too round for most men to appreciate. It stemmed from her days in foster care where she picked up the habit of comfort eating. It helped with all the uncertainty surrounding her and her sister. When you were never sure how long you were going to live in one place, it upset your moods. Kayleigh and her sister were six and eight when they went into foster care. This left them with no real chance of adoption. Especially when they were adamant they wouldn't be split up. They often were moved on quickly to different homes, and this had influenced every aspect of her life.
It left her with hardly any education. Whereas her sister had done well, she had failed miserably. Her sister, Antonia, had gone on to a high-powered job. Kayleigh had drifted from place to place. Her childhood days had made it hard for her to form permanent ties to anywhere, or anyone. Until she came to Bear Creek, which was why she was so sad to be leaving.
Yet shacking up with Will, was not how she wanted to stay. Will, however, had another idea.
“Hi, I thought you’d bailed on me.”
“No. Of course not.”
“Only you look so worried.”
“I’m not sure what this is about.”
“A proposition of mutual benefit, I hope.”
“Will, I’m not sure I...” She didn’t know what to say to him. He was the nicest guy in the world underneath all that leather and posturing. She knew, she had met enough bad ones.
“Oh. No. Sorry, nothing like that. Oh. I guess you would wonder what... Never mind. I might have a job for you. Out at the hangout. It won’t be much, but it would mean you could stay in Bear Creek.”
“Really. You mean it?”
“Yes. Look, give me a couple of days to sort things out. But I’m sure it’ll work out.”
“Thank you. I love it here. It’s the first time I’ve ever felt settled.”
“Well, don’t pack your bags yet. I’m sure I can make the necessary arrangements.”
“I don’t want you going to any trouble on my behalf.”
“It’s no trouble. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some business to attend to.”
He rode off, leaving her watching him. Even though it still meant working inside, she was grateful for the job offer. Walking home, Kayleigh felt some of the weight had disappeared off her shoulders. She would no longer have to ring Antonia and beg for a sofa to sleep on while she sorted herself out.
Seeing her sister would lead to all kinds of discussions, or arguments, about what Kayleigh planned to do with her life. Growing up to become a responsible adult had been put off for another day.
Chapter Three - Daryl
“What’s he up to?”
They were still in the diner, Sam, as always, was taking his time over his breakfast. In fact, it was way past being able to call it breakfast. Glancing at his watch, he saw it was almost lunchtime. Kayleigh had left and now stood talking to Will. Daryl’s mood turned foul as he watched. He wanted to crush Will’s head between his giant bear paws.
“Daryl. You need to calm down.”
“I can’t. Doesn't he know she’s already spoken for?”
“No, Daryl, that is the whole point. The only people who know are sitting here at this table. Unless you get out there and claim her, she’s fair game.”
“Fair game!” Daryl clenched his fists even tighter. He couldn’t believe what Sam was saying. He needed to get out of there. “I’ll see you later.”
Daryl got up, his chair scraping back as he moved too quickly. Sam shot him a warning glare. “Just go for a run, calm yourself down.”
Daryl knew what Sam meant. Take off into the wilderness. Go bear, and don’t come back until you are no longer a danger to yourself and those around you.
He pushed the door of the diner open, and stood for a second or two watching Will talking to Kayleigh. What were they saying? If she got on the back of his bike and rode off with her, he would have to follow them. Then what? He didn't know. But he couldn't let Will ruin his future.
Daryl huffed to himself. What future? If he couldn't overcome his fear of rejection, then he would never approach her. He would never know if she would agree to be his mate.
He had seen it happen enough times. Fated, that's what they called it. But what if it wasn't? What if he'd got it wrong? His feelings for her were so intense, he was sure he was right. Yet it was such a big decision, a lifelong, eternal decision. Did anyone ever get it wrong?
Confidence had never been his strongest trait. Now it was holding him back from making his life complete.
Relief hit him in the gut. Will was riding away, and Kayleigh was not on the back of his bike. He turned to watch her walk away. He should run up to her now, beg her to stay. Tell her how he felt.
Instead, he turned and headed for the mountains. Sam was right; he needed to run until he had calmed down.
Chapter Four - Kayleigh
Mulling over his offer, she walked back to the small apartment she shared with Tia. Kayleigh knew that Tia could easily find someone else to move in with her if she moved out. She also knew Tia would let her stay rent free, if she could afford it. However, that wasn't an option. Tia was training to be a nurse, and had to work part time to pay the bills. There was no way she could support them both. Not that Kayleigh would accept that kind of help anyway.
She undressed, taking off her uniform and hanging it up. She then slipped into jeans and a t-shirt, feeling more relaxed already. Grabbing a jacket and her backpack, she left to get some fresh air.
This was what she would miss. Having mountains practically on your doorstep. She only had to walk a mile out of town to be confronted by the gentle slopes of the mountains. They rose up high into the distance, looking as if they could touch the clouds. She had promised herself that she would climb one of the peaks. Now that seemed unlikely; she wasn't fit enough.
Since she arrived here, she had made out a schedule. Training to prepare herself for climbing to the summit of the smallest peaks. In the summer, it wasn't an overly strenuous climb, so she had been told. Although she knew she would need a climbing partner to accomplish her goal. Tia had refused to be drawn into her plan, but Kayleigh had hoped to find someone else.
It didn't matter now. She would not be ready for a couple more months, and by then there would be snow on the peaks. She would have to wait until the spring. If she was still here.
If Will's job didn't materialise, she would be long gone before the snows came. She sure would love to see Bear Creek in winter. She could imagine walking the lower slopes with frost on the ground. It would be beautiful, sparkling in the low morning sun.
Breathing in the pure air, she filled her lungs, holding it there before breathing out. It revived her, clearing out all the smells that lingered from the diner. How she would love a job that took her outside. But those jobs seemed to be hard to find. Especially for a woman in a town full of the fittest men she had ever seen accumulated in one place.
"Must be the mountain air," she said to herself, turning to look down over Bear Creek. It was a sprawling town, with farms on the lower slopes of the mountains. The forest headed off for miles to the south, and there were many log cabins amongst
the trees. It was perfect, lots of space, and generally, everyone got on. They supported each other; it felt old fashioned. It felt like home. A place to bring up a family.
She squashed that thought. Kayleigh and her sister had sworn never to have kids. Neither of them would ever want to put a child through what they experienced. And the only way to guarantee that never happened was to never have kids.
It was a simple promise between injured souls. Made at the age of thirteen. You hit puberty, and the thought of childbirth is enough to put you off. However, whereas many young women grew out of it, Kayleigh had hardened her decision. She could never see herself settling down, let alone finding a man she could trust to stick around for the rest of her life.
That was a lesson learned from her mom, who gave birth to two daughters by two different men. Neither of whom stuck around. When she got cancer and passed away, there was no one to take in two sisters. No room, or not wanting the responsibility, were the excuses every relative made. So they entered the system. Spending years being shunted from one place to another.
Enough dwelling on the past. She took her jacket off, tied it around her waist and headed up the trail. It climbed out in the open before skirting through the edge of the forest. If you kept going, the trail led you up past a beautiful waterfall. That was where she now headed. To sit by the water and listen to the sound. It worked like meditation, calming her mind and allowing her to think straight.
The sun was warm on her back. She had picked the hottest part of the day, and couldn't wait to reach the cool shade of the trees. As she walked, she let each step push her thoughts out of her head. All she concentrated on was the rise and fall of her feet. Her ears filled with the sound of her heartbeat, as it quickened. The terrain grew rougher, the incline steeper. It made her feel alive. The beat of her heart, the way her lungs took in the mountain air and gave her the energy to go on. This was joy in its simplest form.
At that moment, she decided she would do whatever it took to stay here. Bear Creek was her home. All at once, the tension passed from her body. She had made a decision; she had made a commitment. Light hearted and free, she increased her pace, and soon passed out of the sun and into shade.
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