Sheltering Olivia

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

After delivering the last tray of food, Olivia took a break. She had to get herself back under control, before her shaking caused her to drop another tray; this time with food on it. It wasn’t just the fact that the one customer looked like her ex, it was Heath. The man had been coming in almost daily for the past month. At first, she thought he was just a regular, but he only stayed long enough to ask her out, eat his pancakes, and drink a cup of coffee, before he left again.

It quickly became obvious he was here for her. As flattering as it was, she didn’t want the attention. Heath was handsome alright, and he knew it, reminding her of her ex, Royce. Thinking his looks could make her forgive anything, but that’s where their similarities ended. Heath seemed nicer than Royce had ever been. When Royce smiled, it was cold and calculating, but Heath smiled like he enjoyed life. It must be nice. She had once enjoyed life, too.

Olivia had been running for the past few months just struggling to stay alive and under the radar, while doing everything in her power to keep herself alive, and as far away from Royce, as she could.

Olivia sat down on a bench taking a deep breath. Her shift had barely started, but she was already exhausted. Her feet hurt from standing all day, and her back and shoulders were tense. Waitressing was hard work, but she had to do it. She needed the money, so she could get to her next destination. Always on the move, and she hated it, but what choice did she have. If Royce found her, he’d kill her. Then, who would protect Ivy? No, she had to stay on the move, and always one step ahead of Royce. The only thing she hadn’t accounted for was meeting Heath.

Olivia had spent so much time running and trying to stay alive that she forgot what it was like being wanted by a man, and not for just his punching bag. Heath didn’t look like he abused women, but then that’s what she thought about Royce. It wasn’t fair to compare the two, especially since she didn’t know Heath. While Heath didn’t look like he physically hurt women, she was sure he had left a string of broken hearts in his wake. As much as Olivia missed intimacy, she couldn’t risk her heart again.

Her hands still shook from where she and Heath touched, but it was for the best to just forget him. In a few more weeks, she would have saved enough for her and Ivy to get away again. It wasn’t the life she wanted for her daughter, but she didn’t have much of a choice. Royce had connections, and she feared he could easily track her, if she went to a big city. Though, it would be easier for them to get lost in one.

“Damn you, Royce.” She whispered, as tears pooled in her eyes. The bastard had ruined not just her life, but her daughter’s as well.

“Olivia,” Kathy called from the back door. “We’ve got customers waiting.”

“I’m coming.” Olivia stood up, stiffening her spine. She had to be strong not just for herself, but for Ivy, too. Olivia wiped the tears from her face and went back into the diner.

“Are you crying?” Kathy asked concerned, as Oliva stepped past her.

“I’m fine.” She wasn’t, but she plastered on a fake smile.

“You’re not upset about the tray, are you?”

“No,” Olivia chuckled. She had instantly liked the owner, Kathy, when Olivia first met her. The woman towered over a lot of the customers, being over six feet, and even made Olivia feel short at five-foot eight, but Kathy was the kindest woman Olivia had ever met. It didn’t hurt that Kathy was around her same age. Olivia never imagined at thirty-one that this was where her life would end up.

Kathy hadn’t asked her a lot of questions, when she asked for the job, and then asked to be paid in cash. Kathy must have sensed Olivia was in a tricky situation and was trying to give her a helping hand.

“Then, what has you crying out here in the back?”

“Who said I’m crying?” Olivia deflected. She didn’t want to talk about her issues. She liked Kathy and all, but she had no intention of sticking around long enough to form a friendship, even if this was the first place that she had felt safe in months.

Most people didn’t like the small-town feel, but she liked it here. She had everything she could ever want or need. Olivia had grown up in a small community, and it’s where she felt the most comfortable. She didn’t like the big cities with all the noise and traffic. Out here she could see all the stars, and it was quiet. Too bad she wouldn’t be here much longer to enjoy it.

“Honey, your eyes are red, and your nose is stuffy. You can’t pull anything past me. Now, what’s wrong? You haven’t worked here long, but I know one thing, you’re not clumsy.”

“I’m fine, Kathy.”

Kathy hmphed. “You’re a lot of things, Olivia, but fine isn’t one of them.”

“I need to get back to work.” Olivia kept her eyes down, as she walked past Kathy. She was going to have to watch what she was doing, so she didn’t bring any more attention to herself. Kathy might start asking more probing questions, forcing Olivia to leave, before she was ready. She needed enough money to get away. Somewhere she and Ivy would never be found.

Maybe Montana.

There were lots of trees, and it was close to the border. Ivy loved water, so maybe, they could find a cabin near a lake or river.

“Olivia,” Kathy stopped her with a hand to her shoulder. “I don’t like to stick my nose in other people’s business, but if you keep running, you’re going to be running the rest of your life. That’s no life for your daughter.”

Kathy wasn’t telling her anything she didn’t already know. She hated how her choices were affecting her daughter. Ivy hadn’t been to school in months, because Olivia feared Royce could track her that way.

One more move Olivia promised herself, and then they would finally settle down.

Olivia nodded to Kathy in acknowledgement and went back inside. Her eyes strayed instantly to Heath in the right corner. She shouldn’t, but she couldn’t help it. He was handsome. A strong jaw line that was currently covered in stubble, like he hadn’t shaved in a few days, and hypnotic blue eyes she could stare into all day. Even his messy, curly hair begged to have fingers ran through it. Everything about him was sexy. And dangerous. She had already had her life destroyed by a pretty face once, so never again.

Olivia diverted her eyes walking up to a table of three men to her left. Two sat together on the left, and one by himself on the right. They looked like they hadn’t bathed in a while or washed their clothes in just as long. She could smell stale cigarettes, before she even reached the table. Their eyes were red and blood shot, which meant they were probably still drunk or hung over. Great, just what she needed this morning.

“Morning, fellas.” She said brightly. “What can I get you this morning?”

The one sitting by himself eyed her, like she was a piece of meat, and he was starving. It made her skin crawl. “Damn, little lady. I haven’t seen you here before.”

“Would you like some coffee or orange juice?” She tried staying pleasant, when all she wanted to do was walk away.

You’re doing this for you and Ivy.

She had to repeat it, like a mantra in her head. A few more weeks, and she could get out. She already had a nice little nest egg, but she needed more to get to their next destination and find a place to live.

“How about you?” The guy laughed at his own joke, as his friends snickered in turn. “Are you on the menu?” He full on laughed at himself.

“I’ll give you a chance to think over your choices.” Olivia tried to walk away, when the man grabbed her wrist painfully.

“I’m not done talking to you.” His humor was gone, and in his place, was an angry drunk. A look she had seen more times than she’d care to admit.

“Let me go.” Olivia said evenly, even though her heart was racing.

“No, you’re going to stay here and service me and my friends.” His eyes raked over her body, staring a long time at her chest.

“No,” Olivia pulled her wrist back, but the man refused to let her go. “Don’t touch me.”

The man slid out of the booth. “You think you’re better than me or something? Think you’re something special.” The man sneered down at her. He was only a few inches taller, but she could tell he used his size for intimidation.

Olivia sensed the danger by the look in his eyes. He was getting ready to hit her. Another look she had seen too many times to count. She opened her mouth to call for Kathy, when the man was pulled away from her and shoved against the table.

“The lady said no.” Olivia knew that voice instantly. It was Heath, but his tone was hard. She was used to hearing him happy and go lucky, but now, he sounded pissed off.

Heath gently placed a hand on her shoulder and eased her behind him, so he became a barrier between her and them. The man’s friends stood up to support their friend.

“You just mind your own business, mister. This is between me and the lady.” The man leaned on the table for support, but he didn’t back down from Heath. They were the same height, but Heath outweighed him in muscle.

“Yet, we all heard her say no, so your business is over. So, why don’t you and your friends leave, before I remove you myself.”

“Heath, please don’t.” Oliva hoped things didn’t spiral into a fight. What if they broke something? Kathy could demand she pay for it out of her wages. Something she couldn’t afford.

Heath kept his attention on the men in front of him, so she didn’t know if he’d heard her or not. The man looked back at his friends, and then back to Heath. Olivia could tell he was calculating his odds and was thinking his buddies would back him up if need be. The man took a step towards Heath, when Kathy jumped into the fray.

“Jeremy, you and your friends need to leave. Now.” Kathy didn’t yell. She told him calmly, which sounded more terrifying.

Jeremy lost his gusto and left without a word, as his friends trailed behind him. Heath and Kathy watched, until they all left. Only when the door closed, did Olivia relax.

“Shows over, folks,” Kathy trudged back into the kitchen without another word.

Olivia felt her hands and knees shaking. That had been a close one. “Thank you.” She whispered.

Heath turned to her, the softness returning to his eyes. “You’re welcome. May I?” He gestured to her wrist that Jeremy had grabbed.

Heath didn’t wait for a response, instead he took her hand and looked over her wrist. “It doesn’t look like he hurt it.”

Olivia shook her head trying to ignore the electric current, running over her skin, where he touched. “No, it hurt at first, but I’m fine now.”

Olivia tried to step around him to get back to work, but Heath placed a hand on her shoulder. “What time do you get off of work?”

“Heath,” Olivia sighed. If he was trying to hit on her again, she might be prone to hitting him over the head with her tray.

“I don’t trust those guys not to try and cause trouble again. I was only asking to make sure you get to your car safely.”

She hadn’t thought about that. “I appreciate your concern, but I’ll be fine. I’ll ask Kathy to walk with me to my car.” Jeremy wouldn’t try anything with Kathy around. She was just as big and scary as Heath was.

Heath nodded. “Until next time, then.”

Olivia watched him leave, and for some reason, she had a stupid urge to call him back, but for what? She had already told him she wasn’t interested, nor did she want his protection. The sooner she got out of this town the better, and she could forget all about Heath.