49
“You all right, baby?”
She glanced over to where Hayes sat in the driver’s seat of his truck. It was midday and they had just reached the main street of Angel. They’d left Sanctuary Ranch yesterday and stayed last night in a hotel. Donovan was in his own vehicle behind them.
It was strange being here now when she felt so different than the person she’d been when she left.
“Yeah, just feels odd.”
Stein had been sentenced to four years imprisonment. Apparently, Sondra had sold up and moved away. She didn’t blame the other woman, she wouldn’t want to stick around, either.
She was slightly worried about running into Vega. She had mixed feelings toward the other man. He was creepy and a terrible person. Yet, he hadn’t harmed her when he could have. She knew that Hayes had asked Zander to look into him. Zander said he would, but that he wanted them to stay fully out of it.
“Wait, stop!”
He stopped and pulled his truck over. “What? What is it?”
“Aaron’s Café. It’s closed. Why is it closed?” She undid her seatbelt and reached for the door handle.
“Stop!” he barked. “Freeze.”
She froze and gaped at him. “What?”
“What are you doing right now?” he asked.
“I’m, um, oh, I’m opening the door myself.” She winced.
“That’s right, little girl. Are you allowed to open the door yourself?”
“No, Daddy.”
“You wait for me.” He messaged someone, probably Donovan. Shoot. They were supposed to be meeting Gwen, Dominic, Mac, and Silla at the Tavern before it opened and she was making an unscheduled stop.
“Sorry, Daddy.”
She waited for him to come around and open the door. Wrapping his hands around her hips, he lifted her down. Then he took hold of her hand as they headed toward Aaron’s Café.
“Wow, this place looks closed,” Donovan said, walking up to them. “Permanently closed.”
“Oh, it closed a week ago,” someone said from behind them.
She turned around. “Mrs Dearsley!”
“Devi, dear. Oh, look at you! I’ve been so worried about you.” The older woman’s gaze flicked to her cheek then away.
Devi had ended up consulting a plastic surgeon in Bozeman. He was certain that he could significantly improve the appearance of her scar. It would cost a lot but she was under strict orders not to worry about that.
“Thanks, Mrs. Dearsley. I’m good, though. Better than I’ve been in a long time.”
“Thank goodness.”
“What happened to Aaron? And the café?”
“Well, after you left, it just all fell apart. I didn’t realize what an unpleasant man he is. He was so rude to all of his customers that we left and started going to the new coffee cart. Lovely girl operates it, she can’t afford to open a café yet but we think if we all support her that one day she might. Anyway he lost all his regulars and went out of business. I’d feel bad, but like I said, very nasty little man.”
Wow.
Devi couldn’t say that she disagreed with any of her sentiments.
