“I was thinking,” she said.
“Ooh, it’s dangerous whenever you do that.”
She kicked him lightly under the table.“You’re gonna regret those words.”
“I doubt it.”
Ms.Patti sighed dramatically.“My children, always bickering.Why do I even bother?”
Douglas chuckled, shaking his head.“Dane, leave your sister alone or she’s gonna have Daisy put hot peppers in your food.You know she’s done it before.”
Nica smiled, grateful for the normalcy, but the unease remained, curling at the edges of her consciousness like a whisper she couldn’t quite catch.
And then…the bell above the diner door jingled.
She turned instinctively, heart leaping, hoping—expecting—to see Gabe.
But it wasn’t him.
It was a stranger.A man she didn’t recognize.
His gaze flicked across the diner, scanning the faces, lingering…before settling onher.
Then he smiled.Nodded his head just the slightest before heading toward a booth beside the large picture window that Daisy’s boasted, giving a perfect view to Main Street.A great place to people-watch during the day, but right now, she wasn’t worried about the people outside the diner.No, she had a gut feeling about the stranger who’d just come inside.
She didn’t recognize him—he wasn’t the man who’d been following her around town.This man had an olive complexion, with dark hair that was more wavy than curly, and a little long past his neckline, curving over the collar of his shirt.He was clean-shaven, not even a hint of a five o’clock shadow, and judging by his dark hair and eyes, that was surprising.While he hadn’t looked directly at her again, she had the feeling he was aware of everything happening inside Daisy’s, alert, and suddenly she knew.
He was there watching her.Because he’d been paid to—he had to be one of the men Mike said he’d be assigning to keep surveillance on her.Initially she’d refused, but she could see how important it was to Gabe to have somebody keeping an eye on her whenever he couldn’t be at her side, and she’d finally given in.She didn’t like it, but she understood the necessity.But she’d only agreed as long as somebody was watching Gabe too.
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite family.Everything okay?”Daisy’s bubbly voice came from behind her, which was why Nica hadn’t noticed her.Her momma reached under the table and grabbed Nica’s hand, squeezing it gently.Trust her mother to realize she was on edge.No matter how much she tried to hide it, her momma could always tell.
“We’re doing fine, Daisy,” her dad’s deep voice answered.“Decided we needed some of your delicious cooking tonight.What’s your special?”
Daisy moved around to stand next to Destiny and put a hand on her shoulder.Nobody outside the family knew about her pregnancy yet, because she and Dane had decided to keep it to themselves until after they got through the first trimester, but she had the feeling Daisy had figured it out.Sometimes, she wondered if Daisy had a sixth sense about these kinds of things, because she always seemed to know instinctively when somebody was hurting or needed help.
“Ike decided he wanted to do fried chicken today, and y’all know he makes the best fried chicken in the state.Mashed potatoes and homemade creamed corn.He also made some of that sweet cornbread I know you like, Dane.”She smiled at him as she said it.“If you’re not feeling like chicken, there’s also meatloaf with all the fixings and of course burgers and fries.”Daisy patted Destiny’s shoulder again.“How about a bowl of chicken noodle soup for you, hon?”
“That sounds good.Thanks.”Destiny leaned her head against Dane’s shoulder, and Nica couldn’t help noticing how pale she looked.
“I’ll have the fried chicken,” Dane answered.
“Me too,” her dad and momma agreed.
She must have waited too long before answering, because Daisy prompted, “What about you, Nica?What’ll you have?”
“Sorry, gimme the burger and fries.No onion, no tomato.Thanks, Daisy.”
“You got it.I’ll be back to check on y’all in a sec.”She walked away, headed toward the kitchen to put in their order, and Nica glanced toward the stranger again.He hadn’t moved, and though he still wasn’t looking her way, she knew he was aware of every movement, every person inside the diner.
“If y’all will excuse me, I’m going to use the ladies’ room.I’ll be right back.”Nica scooted out of the booth and stood, grabbing her purse.From somewhere behind her, she heard a cracking sound.She started to turn, wondering what it was, but Dane sprang to his feet, grabbing her as her knees buckled.Screams echoed through the diner, and she saw tears streaming down her momma’s face as she bent over Nica.She could hear Dane yelling but couldn’t understand what he said.
“Gabe,” she whispered as pain blossomed through her chest, as Dane held her against him, rocking her gently.“I need Gabe.Tell him…I’m sorry.Tell him I’m sorry.”
“I’ll get him, sweetheart.I’ll get him.”She heard her dad’s voice, though it seemed so very far away.
That’s good.Gabe’s coming.
Closing her eyes, there was nothing more than blackness.
