She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and watched him look around and then lean against the counter. He looked her over and she self-consciously tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear, lowered her eyes, and realized she still wore an apron. She reached back to untie it and pulled it off then held it for support in front of her. Buddy made her nervous for lots of reasons. His authority, profession, and large muscles were effective, much like his height. He had to be at least six two.
“How are you planning on getting these to Sullivan’s?” he asked.
“I haven’t figured that out yet. I know I need to find a bike or something. Maybe at a garage sale.”
He smiled. “You can’t stack these on a bike.”
“I know that. I meant to get to work at Angel’s Wings. I was a couple of blocks away before, but now I’m miles away.”
“How did you get there before?”
“Walked.”
“You walked everywhere?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t own a car.”
She chuckled softly. “No.” She raised her eyebrows and started to wipe down the counter the rest of the way. She realized that he probably thought she was a loser because she couldn’t even afford a car, never mind a cell phone.
“I can give you a ride on the way into work. Could you get a ride back here later?”
“You don’t have to—”
He raised one palm up for her to go no further. “You just said that you don’t have a car. No means of transportation to deliver these pies. I’m offering my assistance. I have a truck and we can load these up, secure them so they stay safe in transport, and then I can drop you off.”
“That would be great. Are you sure it’s not an inconvenience?” she asked as she prepared to place the pies into a large, wide box.
“I’m sure. Maybe if you’re still in town, you can call Johnny or Trent’s cell phone and they can drop you back here. I can give you their numbers.” He pulled out his cell.
“Oh, I don’t have one. That’s okay though. I’ll find a way back. Don’t worry. You guys have done so much, really,” she said, feeling badly now for not having the luxury of a cell phone either. “Let me just get washed up really quick before we go.”
He nodded his head and she hurried to her room to change and wash up.
* * * *
No cell phone, no car, maybe no driver’s license to prove her name as some form of ID. That could be a way to find out who she was. Asking for her ID right now might not be so wise. He looked around the apartment. She had just gotten there last night but already it felt different in here. The last tenant was a teacher at the local high school. He’d gotten engaged a few months ago and moved into his fiancée’s apartment so they could save for a house. He was a nice guy but it never felt like this in here. The smell of homemade baking and a woman’s scent and feel surrounded him.
“Okay, I’m ready.” She pulled on a small backpack then reached into the refrigerator for a bottle of water. He noticed there wasn’t much in there aside from a few water bottles and some leftover fruit from the pies.
She went to reach for the large box and he stopped her.
“I’ll get it. You get the door. You have the key, right?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, let’s go.
As they headed toward the truck and he secured the pies, he saw Nina looking at the garage and the set of old bikes. Their mother’s bike, the one with the large front basket, was leaning there.
“Are these yours?” she asked.
“Yes, Johnny was going to fix them up and sell them but hasn’t gotten around to it yet.”
“Would he sell me the one with the big basket? That would be great for me to deliver a few pies or even go food shopping and get to work.”
He felt funny about her having to do that. Ride a bike four miles or more to work, to the shop, and to deliver pies.
“I’m sure we can help you out with deliveries as they come.”
“Buddy, I appreciate all your help, but like I said at my old apartment, I don’t want to owe you guys. I don’t know what you expect in return from me. It makes me feel uncomfortable.” She lowered her eyes and couldn’t look at him. He didn’t like the feeling he got, but he needed to gain her trust and play this cool.
“Honey, a thank-you would be sufficient. Ask Johnny about the bike when he gets home from work later. I’m sure he’ll work it out with you.” She nodded and got into his truck. So much for getting more concrete info on her. All he seemed to do was gain more questions about the woman and wonder why she was so distrusting and resistant to help.
* * * *
Nina was insisting that she would carry the box of pies into Sullivan’s herself when the front door to the place opened and Florence, Cindy, Lester, and Al came out to help.
“You made it!” Cindy cheered, and Nina was once again overwhelmed with emotion. She looked at Buddy, and he seemed to stare at her as if contemplating whether she was authentic or not. The man wanted answers. His brothers did, too, as did the sheriff. She wasn’t sure how long she could fend them off and avoid answering their questions.
“I hope you like them. I can make just about any pie with whatever fruits are in season,” she said as she followed everyone inside. Lester carried in the box of pies.
As they entered, she noticed all the people. Lots of first responders like firefighters, paramedics, police officers. It was a real hangout spot she guessed. The whole idea that she was surrounded by men and women who represented the law had her shaking.
“Al will get your money for you,” Florence said, and then Al squinted his eyes.
“Is a check good?” he asked Nina.
She nibbled her bottom lip. “Cash would be better. I haven’t gotten around to getting a savings account yet.”
She glanced at Buddy and once again his expression intimidated her.
“That’s okay. We can do cash. You need to build up your business and then you’re going to want to get an account to keep your money safe,” Florence said.
“Yes, ma’am,” Nina replied. Florence took Nina’s hand into hers and she wanted to pull away, fearful of the physical contact, but resisted. Florence was a nice woman, motherly and sweet.
“You call me Florence. We’re friends now, remember?” She winked. Nina smiled and nodded.
Before long people were ordering the pies as the aromas filtered through the air. Nina watched in awe as slices disappeared and people complimented her.
“You’re going to need some business cards,” Cindy said.
“I need a lot more money before I can start doing that kind of stuff. I hope this works out. I haven’t even finalized the rent I will need to pay the Landers brothers.”
Cindy smiled. “Something tells me that isn’t something to worry about.” Cindy winked and then walked away to finish working her tables. Nina glanced at Buddy, who was shaking Al’s and Lester’s hands before he said good-bye.
“Remember to call Johnny or Trent. Florence has their numbers.” His expression and his tone were firm and authoritative. It bothered her. She wasn’t about to fall back into a routine where men told her what to do and expected her to do it. She was on her own, and no matter what, she needed to remember that. He walked out and Nina remained a little longer. Everyone was just so darn friendly.
A good thirty minutes passed and she decided that she would walk the four blocks to Angel’s Wing’s to see Fannie. Cindy said she was worried about Nina, and the woman had been so kind to give her that job.
She said good-bye to everyone and told Cindy she would see her in a few days when she visited for lunch, and then she headed out.
* * * *
“What do you mean you didn’t give her a ride home? Why not?” Buddy asked Trent over the phone. Trent and Johnny had just gotten home and noticed that no lights were on in the apartment. Johnny knocked on the door and no one answered. He called his brother to see if he knew where she was.
“She never called either of us,” Johnny said.
“Where could she be? Where would she go and not tell anyone? I don’t like this. I don’t like the secrets, the lying about her name.” Buddy raised his voice in frustration.
“She lied about her name?” Johnny asked and looked at Trent who now seemed angry.
“What’s her real name?”
“I don’t know. I think Nina is her real first name but her last was a lie.”
“She’s hiding something. Definitely,” Trent said in the background.
“What should we do? Do we go looking for her?” Johnny asked. Just then the sound of thunder rolling in the background drew their attention.
“Shit. If she’s out there, she could get caught in the storm,” Johnny said with concern. “I’ll swing around past Angel’s Wings and see if she’s there working. We don’t even know what hours she works or what days. We’re going to have to find out,” he said and then disconnected the call.
Johnny put down his cell phone. He ran his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know what it is about her, but she’s special. I could tell right away. I have never felt so instantly possessive, protective, or hell, interested like this in a woman.”