The Runaway Shifter

6 – Is That a Pick-up Line?

JANE sorted the pastries on the shelves. A satisfied smile was drawn on her lips as she arranged the assortment of bread.

She had an early day. Before the sun went up, she was able to finish baking cinnamon rolls and apple pie.

She decided to add pies and brownies to the menu a couple of months ago. She tried peach and apple pies. She also ventured into chocolate fudgy brownies.

It was a blessing that the regulars were able to like the addition in the pastries. One even commented that he will have a pot belly before the end of the month.

Since her parents died, she found herself baking most of the time. It was what she and Ora Tudd’s common ground. She never felt lonely whenever she smelt the aroma of newly baked pastry. Being in the kitchen helped Jane organize her thoughts or not dwell on them.

“Do you have the peach pies today, Ms. Jane?”

With a wider smile on her face, she looked at the little boy. He has a smear of red sauce on his left cheek. Jane could guess that he had a mac and cheese for breakfast.

“No, but I set aside for you in the kitchen. I knew that you were coming today.”

The little boy gave her a toothless smile. “Thank you. Can I share them with Nana?”

“Of course. Go back to your table. I will be with you shortly.”

“Thanks, Miss.”

Jane went back to the kitchen. She grabbed the peach pies and put it in a takeaway bag.

The little boy’s eyes brightened the moment she approached. The old man beside him is sporting a huge smile, too. He was the boy’s grandfather.

“It was his idea to be here today, Jane. Since I brought home the peach pie, he never stopped talking about it. It was a great addition, by the way. I wish you have done this sooner.”

“Thank you, Alex.”

Alex’ family lived about a mile away from the diner. They were a good family friend and frequented the diner. He and his wife were almost the same age as the Tudd couple.

Jane went back to manning the display when she felt her wolf become alert.

Ylona did not say anything but there was excitement coming from her wolf. She could almost imagine her wolf’s nose in the air while her ears perked up.

The last time she felt this was----

“She’s here again, little lady.” That was Yana who passed by.

From under her lashes, she glanced at the entrance of the diner.

A tall woman just entered.

Her eyes followed her until she slid into a seat that can oversee the road. She sat there often.

Jane heard her ask for a cup of coffee and the breakfast special.

This is the third time that she saw the woman in the diner. The third time this week.

During those times that she has been here, Jane noticed that she has been observing the people in the place. Or her attention was on the young female Tudd.

She went to the kitchen. She asked for the order of the woman. She grabbed the last piece of peach pie from her stash before carrying the tray.

“This is your order, ma’am.” She placed the food on the table. She put the pie last. “Courtesy of the diner. Anything else you need?”

When the woman did not respond, Jane raised her eyes.

She blinked when their eyes met. The woman has the grayest eyes she has ever seen.

A frown marred her face. A memory is trying to enter her mind. She shook her head when it went away quickly.

“Everything alright?” The gray-eyed woman asked.

“Have we met before?”

“Is that supposed to be a pick-up line?”

Jane straightened. A chuckle exited her mouth.

The brewing tension broke between them.

“Do you need anything else, ma’am?” She uttered instead.

“Your number please.”

She laughed. “Is that supposed to be a pick-up line?”

“No.” The woman replied. She was still unsmiling. “Did you make this pie?”

She was holding the pie in her hand. She was looking at it like it was a treasure.

“I do. Have a bite. I’ll ask you later for your verdict.”

“Sure. What’s your day off?”

“If you stay longer, you’ll know.”

She turned her back from the woman to hide the smile on her lips.

“It’s Monette.”

Holding the tray in her hands, she marched toward the direction of the kitchen. She did not bother to mutter anything.

Yana and Basil were looking at her. They were beaming.

“The woman is hot, little lady.” That was Gustavo the moment she entered the kitchen.

“Thank you for the love, everyone. Let’s get back to work.”

She went to the back to check on the deliveries. Earlier today, the truck came in.

The daily chore in the diner was nothing new for Jane. She has been doing the same thing even when the Tudd couple was still alive.

She longed been wanted to relieve her parents of the hard work in the business. Since their only son did not want to know the daily undertakings in the diner, Jane made it her responsibility.

It has been months since her parents died but the emptiness is still there. She secretly wished to see them when she comes to the diner every day. That their death was just a dream.

The sun was down when Jane went out of the small office. The staff was already cleaning the place. The close sign was turned at the door.

“Will you be staying late, Jane?”

“No, Basil. I will be leaving with you.”

“I’m glad. Do you have something planned?”

She shook her head when she noticed the smile on the old man’s lips.

“I planned to have a good night's sleep, Basil.”

“Oh, my bad. I thought you and the pretty lady are going on a date.”

“That pretty lady is gone.” She said with a laugh.

She has never noticed when Monette left. She has been occupied with the receipts and the invoices at the back office that she has forgotten about the woman.

She has two invoices due comes Friday.

Their attention went to the parking space in front of the diner when they heard a motorcycle approaching.

Its light reflected on the glass wall that they have to look away.

Basil left when he recognized the person astride the vehicle. He went to the kitchen without a word.

The chime at the door sounded when it was pushed open.

Jane went behind the counter. She tided the display in front of it including the menu as she waited for the man to draw near.

She pulled the envelope from the back pocket of her jeans. It has been on her pocket when she went out of the office a while ago.

Suffice it to say, she was expecting him. She gave the envelope to Billy the moment he stood opposite her.

He immediately checked inside. A satisfied smile formed on his lips.

His face lifted as he tapped the envelope in his palm.

She noticed the heavy bags under her brother’s eyes. He appeared thinner, too. Jane was about to open her mouth when he speaks.

“I’ll see you next week, plain Jane.”

She exhaled. “Would you like to bring some rolls?”

The sadness appeared in Billy’s eyes but he blinked it away quickly.

“No. I’ll drop by somewhere to eat.”

“Are you going to stay home tonight?”

“No.” He was about to go when he glanced at the other woman. “Can you do some cleaning at old house?”

Jane nodded.

He placed the envelope at the inside pocket of his jacket before marching towards the door.

She sighed when she finally saw him leaving the parking lot.

Two weeks after the older Tudd died, Billy showed up in the diner. He was down. He occupied a corner both and shed silent tears for his parents.

Before he left, he asked for an appointment with the family lawyer.

A sobber Billy showed up at the family house the next day. He was there before the lawyer came in.

Until this day, her brother did not tell her the reason why he did not show up in the wake of their parents. He did not want to talk about the death of the older Tudd either.

The lawyer read the couple’s will. The house has been given to their son as well as the separate bank accounts of the Wyeth and Ora. To Jane’s surprise, the diner was given to her.

As expected, Billy protested but the lawyer bluntly told him that it was legal and binding.

A month after that, he resurfaced again. He went to the diner and asked Jane for money. It became a regular thing monthly. However, as of late, he came in on weekly basis.

Jane tried to reason with him when he complained that she gave him a smaller amount. He insisted that he was the legitimate owner of the establishment yet he allowed an adopted child to run the family business. In order not to start another argument, she added a few bills.

Despite Billy’s regular demand for money, she was able to pay for the employees and the monthly utilities. Another reason why she added more pastry, was for additional profits.

Well, also for the love of baking. In her mind, she is honoring Ora Tudd by creating wonders with the use of the oven.