“Yes, sorry. I think I need some breakfast.”
My father clapped his hands together, causing both me and Miles to jump. “Perfect, let’s all head into town and grab some breakfast at the Hunt Café.”
“Oh, I’ve been dying for one of their chocolate cranberry muffins!” Jen said.
“Those are heavenly,” my mother added to this extremely awkward conversation.
Miles and I exchanged a look. Well, there goes talking this morning, and all the other yummy things I had in mind.
Kynslee
HUNT CAFÉ WAS one of those typical small-town cafés. The moment you walked in, you went to your normal spot to eat, if it was open. The waitress didn’t bother asking what you wanted to drink; she already knew and was setting it down as you took your seat. This was one of the upsides to small-town life.
Folks who hadn’t seen you in a while stopped you on the way to your regular spot and asked things like, “How is your momma doing these days?” Even though they had just seen your momma yesterday at the grocery store. Or, “How’s the fishing in your tank? You plowed that field yet? Did you hear about Lou’s Aunt Beth, she’s done had another kid!” Those were the types of conversations that were overheard day in and day out.
Yep, that was Hunt Café. The moment we walked in, Miles let out a groan as all eyes locked on us. Not on our parents, but on me and Miles.
“Haven’t been into the café yet, I take it?” I asked in a hushed voice as I kept my well-bred southern manners from slipping, making sure to smile and nod to those who were saying hello.
“Nope. For this very reason.”
A plethora of eyes looked at us. Some old, some young, some who looked like they’d been sitting at the counter since the last time Miles and I walked in this place together years and years ago.
“Well, if it isn’t out yet, it is now,” Miles said, nodding and saying hello to folks as we followed our parents to the large table in the back corner.
“Miles Warner, welcome home, son,” Mrs. Johns said.
He tipped his hat. “Thank you, ma’am. Good to be home.”
One older gentleman extended his hand to Miles. I tried to keep walking, but he grabbed my hand and laced his fingers with mine. My stomach fluttered while my nerves kicked it up a few notches. If walking into the café with both of my parents didn’t seal the deal for the gossipy folks in this town, the PDA was sure to do the trick.
Miles and I were together. Let the rumor mill commence.
“Thank you for your service, son. Never did get to see ya when you came home to visit your momma.”
With a polite smile, Miles shook the old man’s hand. “Thank you so much, sir. It was my honor. And the same goes to you. Thank you for your service.”
That seemed to make the old man happy. “Fellow Marine. Semper Fi.”
Miles replied, “Semper Fi.”
I couldn’t help the way my chest filled with pride. I respected the hell out of him for what he had done for both his family and for our country. It was nice to see people acknowledge his sacrifice.
We continued to our spot. Our parents were already seated at the table. My eyes caught on Erin. Why wasn’t she at the barn getting ready for a lesson? She smiled big, and I returned the gesture. Then she tilted her head in that annoying way of hers, and I quickly looked away.
“Was that Erin Monroe?” Miles asked after we walked by, and I slipped into the chair.
“Yep.”
He looked back over at her. “Boy, she’s grown up.”
I didn’t want to feel jealous, but I instantly felt it. “If you’d like to go talk to her, have at it.”
Miles turned back to me quickly, giving me a confused look. “What?”
I pulled in a deep breath and looked away. He sat down and reached for my hand, but I drew it away.
“You mind telling me what’s wrong?” he whispered so only I could hear.
Kellie, our waitress, was setting cups of coffee down for everyone.
“Nothing,” I stated quickly and with a little too much pettiness in my voice. I needed to calm down. Where was this jealousy thing coming from? My goodness, why were my emotions all over the place?
Our parents fell into a casual conversation almost instantly. Talking about The Mercantile, the farm, our ranch, horses, the weather… It went on and on while Miles and I sat there, listening and smiling every now and then.
I couldn’t take it anymore. My mind was racing about what Miles had wanted to talk about. The feel of him so close to me was making me anxious. I couldn’t shake the fear that he regretted last night, and it mixed with my jealousy at him acknowledging Erin. I was about to scream as loud as I could. I cleared my throat and set my fork down. I couldn’t force myself to eat another bite.