The clatter of silverware and chorus of chatter rang in her ears. Neon signs buzzed on the walls, hanging next to framed photos of the town from years past and vintage advertisements. She made a beeline for the two women seated in the corner booth. Her feet stuck to something sticky on the wood floor. She ignored a low whistle from a pair of cowboys playing pool, rolling her eyes at the idea they’d think she’d stop and flirt with them.
Little did they know she had no time for anything beyond work and motherhood. Something she had zero regrets about and didn’t intend to change. Men were nothing but problems that needed to be avoided at all costs.
A lesson she’d learned the hard way one more than once.
“Here you are ladies,” she said as she slid the plates onto the wooden table. “Is there anything else I can get you?”
Ethel, the blue-haired librarian who’d scared Celine since childhood pursed her lips and studied her plate. “Looks fine.”
“Of course it does,” Bonnie said. “Thanks, dear. We’re good. Have everything we need.”
If Celine could hug Bonnie Wright she would, but Ethel would probably frown at such an outward display of affection. The two women had been friends since before Celine was born. Where one was grumpy and short tempered, the other was the living embodiment of sunshine and glitter. If it hadn’t been for Bonnie, Celine would never have set foot in the library she loved so much.
“All right, ladies. Enjoy. Just holler if you need anything else.”
She hurried away before Ethel could get out a complaint. The bell above the door jingled. Lord, hopefully it was customers heading home and not new ones arriving. Her feet ached, her shoulder muscles screamed, and her heart yearned to return home and hold her baby.
“Celine!” Her mother’s voice cut through the noise of the restaurant like a hot knife through butter.
Stomach dropping, she swung around to face the entrance.
Her mom, Lisa Stuben, waved one hand high in the air while the other hoisted the baby’s car seat. Her blond hair was curled in big barrel curls and her signature red lipstick circled her mouth. An arsenal of makeup hid her wrinkles.
She patted shoulders of people she knew and waved at the bartender. “Hey, there, Nate! I might need a drink before I hit the road!” Her easy-going cackle made it sound like she joked, though Celine knew her mother never said no to a drink.
Irritation flared hot in Celine’s veins and she rushed to her mom, meeting her just a few steps away from the door. “Mama, what in the world are you doing here?” Instinct had her grabbing the carrier from her mom and searching her beautiful baby’s face for signs of distress. “I still have a couple hours left of my shift. Why did you bring Parker here?”
“A girl’s gotta eat, don’t she?” Lisa fisted one hand on her hip and gave a little shake of her head, as if Celine had asked the most ridiculous question.
Reaching for patience she didn’t have, she searched for an empty table. She spotted one a few feet away and led her mom to a chair. Once Lisa Stuben made up her mind, there’d be no talking her out of whatever plan she concocted. She’d just have to add babysitting her babysitter to her list of responsibilities for the evening.
“Besides,” Lisa said. “I want to show off this grandson of mine. I mean, he’s just so darn precious and hardly anyone’s seen him.”
Celine bit back the argument she’d made countless times. Parker was only three months old. She didn’t want him around too many people yet.
Not to mention the kid was the spitting image of his father. And since no one knew who the father was, she’d rather let the novelty of her unexpected pregnancy and birth pass before dropping another bomb on her hometown.
As if sensing her irritation, Parker opened his eyes and let out a piercing cry—instantly causing her milk to come in. Humiliation scorched her cheeks, but she’d worry about what to do with her stained shirt later. Now her son needed her.
“Come here, little guy.” She unhooked him from his seat and cradled him close to her chest.
He screamed, raising his arms high above his head.
Tia hurried over. “Do what you need to do. The office is free. I think I have a spare shirt in there somewhere. I’ve got your tables.”
“You’re a life saver.”
Lisa waved the menu in the air. “I have an order to make.”
Rolling her eyes, she mouthed her apology to her boss and friend then hurried to the office behind the bar. Once inside, she shut and locked the door then sank down in Tia’s worn leather chair and situated Parker so he could fill his tummy.
Once settled, she relaxed against the seat while cradling her son. She ran the pad of her thumb over his cheek. She was still as amazed by her love for this child today as she was the day he was born. So tiny and precious, a shining beacon of hope for her when she’d been at her lowest.
And for the rest of her life, every decision she made would be based around what was best for him. As much as she lovedher own mother, there were a lot of things she planned to do differently. Hoped to right some of the wrongs that left her scarred and a little bit broken.
With Parker satisfied, she shifted him to rest against her shoulder and smoothed her palm over his back until he released a little burp.
“Good job, little man. Now let’s find that shirt so I can return you to your grandma and I can get back to work.”
