“She’s been gone a long time, Cole.”
“That doesn’t factor into how Callie thinks. What was once hers stays hers, in her mind. Always has.” He watched her face. “She’s coming home for Thanksgiving.”
“Are you going to see her?” Aftyn’s fingers twisted together at her waist.
“Not if I can help it.” He settled his hat back on his head. “I just wanted you to hear it from me beforesomeone else mentioned it.” He paused. “Though I suppose it doesn’t matter much either way. You won’t be here.” He reached behind him and opened the door, letting in a slash of cold air. “Don’t forget to talk to Sam in the morning.”
He nodded once and stepped out, pulling the door shut behind him. The latch clicked into place, quiet and final as anything he’d ever heard.
****
She listened to his boots on the stairs until she couldn’t hear them anymore, then sat down on the sofa and cried.
This had been a mistake. They never should have let it go this far. She’d known from the beginning how easy he would be to fall for, and she’d done it anyway. Hard and fast and without a single parachute.
After this weekend she didn’t want to leave. Not Clifton, and especially not Cole. She wanted him in her life. She wasn’t Callie. She wouldn’t walk away from him if he wanted her to stay. She belonged here, she could feel it in a way she couldn’t explain, but how could she say any of that when she’d already agreed to go the moment Avery was dealt with?
She pushed up from the sofa, walked to the bedroom, lay down on top of the covers, and let herself fall apart. Why did love have to hurt like this? It was supposed to make you happy. Right now, she couldn’t remember what happy felt like.
The diner was packed the next morning, the way it always was, and Aftyn threw herself into it. She had her apron tied before she’d fully cleared the door. Between orders she caught Connie in the kitchen and told her about Avery, and that she planned to go seeSam after the breakfast rush settled.
Connie listened, then set down the plate she was holding and looked at her. “I hate the thought of you leaving. We’ve all grown to love you around here.”
Aftyn blinked hard and hugged her.
“I’ll miss everyone. I love it here.”
“Then why go?” Connie picked the plate back up. “I need to get this out there.” She pushed through the kitchen door and left the question hanging in the air.
Owen was watching her from across the kitchen. “You’ll be missed,” he said simply.
“I’ll miss you too.” She reached for her carafe. “I’d better get out there.”
She was refilling cups at the counter when the bell above the door jingled, and Sam came in and took a stool. She made her way over, set a cup in front of him, and poured.
“Morning, Aftyn.”
“Good morning, Sam. When you have a minute, I’d like to come by your office. There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
He looked up from his cup. “Something going on?”
“I saw Avery.”
He nodded slowly. “Come by anytime. I’ll be in all day.”
“Thank you.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
When the crowd finally thinned, Connie waved her off. Aftyn untied her apron, pulled on her coat, and headed out.
The weather had turned milder and she shook her head at the sky. Mother Nature couldn’t seem to make up her mind. Just like a woman, she thought, and smiled to herself.
She waited for a break in traffic, crossed the street,and jogged up the steps into the building. The sheriff’s office was quiet when she pushed through the door, nobody at the counter, so she went straight to Sam’s office and knocked on the frame. He looked up, pushed back from his desk, and came around to shake her hand.
“Aftyn. Come on in.”
She took one of the chairs across from his desk and he settled back into his own.
