Amy’s cheeks turned red as she pushed the food around her plate. “Charlie, my boss for the past ten years, was ready to retire, so he sold the restaurant to his nephew about six months ago. Dennis basically demoted everybody and told us we had to work our way up. Those that kissed up to him got their choice of shifts.”
“The fact you were stuck with the night shift tells me you didn’t think very highly of your new boss,” his mom said with a knowing look.
“I did not.” Amy’s hand trembled as she raised her water glass and gulped down half of it. “Last night... Dennis offered to give me my job as day manager back... for a price.”
Ben’s eyes stayed glued to Amy’s face.What was she saying? Dennis wanted her to pay to work there?
“I take it the position came at a price you weren’t willing to pay?” his dad said.
His dad’s meaning hit Ben square in the gut and disgust turned his stomach. He pushed his nearly empty plate away.
The color in Amy’s cheeks deepened. “Exactly.”
No wonder she’d been so uneasy at the garage this morning. Her dad was a deadbeat, her boss a scumbag, and her boyfriend a jerk. Amy probably didn’t hold the male species in very high esteem.
Amy let out a tight chuckle. “There you have it. I quit my job, packed my bags, and Kallie and I left. I intended to get as far away from Lance and the bar as I could, but we ended up broken down here four hours later.”
His mom leaned over and put a hand on Amy’s shoulder. “Sounds like you’re due for a fresh start. Providence is a good place for that.”
After dinner, Ben hesitated in the doorway where the dining room joined the living room. He usually made a quick getaway after eating with his parents but tonight, he had no desire to leave.
Following Amy and Kallie into the family room, he sat across from them in an armchair. Once again, his gaze rested on Kallie as she sat on the floor near her mom playing with a basket of toys. They looked a lot like the toys his daughter had played with an eternity ago. He forced thoughts of Cassey from his mind. He couldn’t handle that kind of pain right now.
Looking up, he locked gazes with Amy. Hers darted away. This wasn’t the first time she’d caught him watching her and Kallie. Something about her intrigued him, but he couldn’t understand what. Nor could he understand why. He was grieving for his wife. He wasn’t interested in another woman. Kallie fascinated him, though.
Amy was likely still wary of him, and he didn’t blame her. He wasn’t sure how to set her at ease. He didn’t understand why it mattered what she thought about him. But it did.
Kallie picked up a toy and toddled over to him. Ben froze, unsure how to respond. She stood in front of him, holding out the rattle.
“She wants you to take it.” Amy’s voice came to him from far away.
He took the rattle and gave the toddler a small smile.What do I do with it?
Encouraged, Kallie returned to Amy, who handed her another toy. She turned and brought it to Ben. She repeated the process until the entire contents of the basket sat on his lap.
He stole a glance at Amy. She smiled at Kallie then at him. A one-eighty from her behavior this morning. An emptiness settled in the pit of his stomach.
She knows.
Amy had heard what happened to Melanie and Cassey. That’s why she encouraged Kallie to interact with him.
This is a small town. Of course, she was bound to find out.
Would she pity him too, like everyone else?
Kallie yawned and rubbed her eyes.
“You’re tired aren’t you, sweetheart?” Amy stood and picked Kallie up. “Tell Ben night-night.”
Kallie gave him a shy smile and waved at him.
His heart twisted.
“Excuse me.” Amy gave him a brief smile before leaving the room.
Amy and Kallie had barely left when Ben’s dad stepped out of his office. “Can I have a word with you, son?”
About what?His dad’s ominous tone sent a chill racing down Ben’s back.
