“Not with me.”
Amy let out a shaky laugh, but her posture remained stiff. “I’m sorry for assuming—”
“Don’t worry about it. I should have been clearer about what I meant.”
His attention turned to the fussy baby again, and his brow furrowed. “I don’t mean to pry, but is your baby okay? She seems really fussy.”
“She’s hungry.”
Hunger. He could do something about that.
“I’ll bet you’re starving too. Come with me.” Careful to keep his distance, he motioned for her to follow him. He led her out of the garage and across the street.
What am I doing?The thought echoed in his head with each step.
* * *
The most amazingsmells assaulted Amy when they entered the quaint diner: coffee, bacon, maple syrup, and a hint of cinnamon. Her stomach growled in anticipation.
The heads of the dozen customers seated at tables and booths turned their direction, and all chatter ceased. Everyone studied Ben in surprise, then greeted him by name when he passed. Ben nodded in return and grabbed a highchair for Kallie, leading them to a table near the window.
“Ben, my dear, you’ve finally come for breakfast?” A petite, slender woman with shoulder-length, honey-colored hair approached them, her face split in a wide grin.
“Hi, Aunt Charity.” Ben kissed the woman’s cheek. “Nothing for me, thanks, but I would like you to give Amy and her daughter whatever they want. Put it on my tab.”
Amy expected his aunt to eye her, questioning who she was and why Ben would buy her breakfast. But the aunt’s eyes widened and remained on Ben. Amy glanced over her shoulder at the rest of the customers in the diner. Everyone stared at Ben with the same surprised expression.
“Absolutely, I’ll take good care of them. But you know I’ll never let you carry a tab.”
Ben pulled out his wallet.
“Put that away! Your money’s no good here. Now, why don’t you sit down and join them? I’ll bring you one of my big ol’ cinnamon rolls.” Charity tried to nudge him into a chair, but he resisted.
“Sounds tempting, but I’ve already eaten.”
“Nonsense. That toast you eat isn’t a fit breakfast for a hard-working man.”
“I’m fine.” He turned to Amy. “Order anything you want, okay?”
He stared at Kallie for a long moment, his hand lifting. Then, inches from Kallie’s head, he curled his fingers into a fist. His eyes filled with pain before he turned and walked away.
Amy frowned as a knot formed in her stomach.Have I made a mistake accepting his help?
She didn’t have a choice, though. When she told Ben, she had no one to call, she meant it. No one to turn to and nowhere to go. Celeste and Grant would help her in a heartbeat, but they didn’t have the extra resources, nor did Lance. She wouldn’t callhimeven if he did.
The same customers who greeted Ben a few moments ago gave him encouraging smiles as he left the restaurant. His aunt’s gaze followed him, a mixture of concern and affection on her face. He couldn’t bethatbad if everyone smiled at him? Could he?
Ben’s aunt turned her bright smile back to Amy. “Welcome to Providence. I’m Charity. What’s your name?”
“Amy.”
“And what about this little angel?” Charity rested her hand on Kallie’s head.
“Her name is Kallie.”
“Oh, I see.” The older woman’s eyes widened, and she stared out the window at Ben crossing the street.
Amy’s gaze followed hers.See what?
