The Runaway Human Queen

Chapter 2

We all got out. I explained to Max what happened. He asked me to pop the bonnet and try and start the car again.

“Alternator, sorry to say” he called out, as the car didn’t even really acknowledge me turning the key.

“What does that mean?”

“I will have to order one in and it will take about a week. They can be pricey but I will make some calls and let you know when I get back to the shop.”

“If it is under a grand, go for it, if above…”

“Nah, I will make sure it is under that. OK let’s get it loaded”, he closed the bonnet and went back to the truck.

As soon as he opened his truck door, he stopped moving and seemed to phase out for a moment, probably thinking of places to get the parts. I just got out of the car and walked over to Damien who had been patiently watching from the side.

His eyes were glazed over again, deep in thought as well, so I went back to the car and got out my bag to pack a few days’ worth of clothes. I will just get them to drop me off at the nearest hotel.

“What-cha doing” came a low sexy voice from right beside me.

“s**t!” I nearly jumped out of my skin “can you be any more quiet? Seriously stalker qualities or what?” Damien lets out a hearty laugh.

“Sorry about that. What are you doing?”

“Packing enough clothes for a few days rather than lugging all my stuff around. Any chance I can ask another favour of having you drop me at a nearby hotel on the way? Nothing too expensive. Just no cockroaches or bed bugs would be great.”

“I can do one better. We will drop you off at my mum’s. She is already excited about having some company. Get ready to have your ears bleed… but in a good way, and if she asks anything too personal, you do have permission to tell her to mind her own business.”

I would normally say that is lovely, but what does he mean by she is already excited?

“I couldn’t do that. Thank you, but I wouldn’t want to put her out.”

“You definitely aren’t and it’s too late, she is expecting you now.”

I really want to overthink this and almost freak out as to how she already knows and is expecting me. Maybe I missed a brief conversation he had with Max or the young men about arranging a room for me? Or did I miss seeing him quickly make a call? Maybe?

Taking a deep breath, I just smiled and washed all the stupid thoughts out of my mind.

This will be good as I love getting to meet new people and it saves me some money until my next job. Especially since I have to dip into my savings for the car… bloody car!

As if he guessed where my thoughts had gone. “I guessed your car might need a couple of days so sent her a message before”, he gave me a reassuring smile.

See, I did miss seeing him use a phone. I am just over thinking it. Wait, he isn’t a Ted Bundy is he???

He doesn’t seem to be giving off the serial killer vibes… and I am going to his mums… that isn’t quite the serial killer thing is it?

He is just being nice. I am just overthinking it….a little. Aren’t I?

“Thank you!” I finally said after way too long. I probably have every thought written on my face as I have a terrible poker face.

“Don’t mention it and don’t worry. No, it is my mothers and not some serial killer's lair.”

Huh… “That’s what all the serial killers say”, he gives me a devilish smile then a mock horror face.

“Can’t a guy just be nice and honestly want to help a charming, beautiful woman until she agrees to marry me? 1 week to convince you, wasn’t it?”

I am sure I went completely pale.

“ha ha” was all I could say as I made my way to the truck to get away from this conversation.

Luckily, the conversation went back to them, asking everything about Australia and my travels, as Max drove. It was a lot more relaxed and easy going with no marriage talk, so I really didn’t mind. Give me half a chance and I can talk you under the table.

I took note of the old town sign that said Blue Moon with a howling wolf behind it. Cool name.

The forest line seemed to now drop away to show a bustling small country town. Mostly wooden log cabin style houses with a few weatherboard ones here and there. It was so cute!

We pulled up in the centre of town and Max let us out to go and grab something to eat as my stomach had embarrassed me a moment ago with a massive growl.

Max and Damien just laughed at me. Max said he would drop my bag off at Damien’s mum's house on the way, so I just took my backpack with me.

The centre of town was just as I had imagined. A long row of shops on either side of the main road with cars parked in front of them. I had only just realised that all the roads were bitumen again. I must have just come in on a back road into town.

Damien guided me to a café. It was an all-white building with big windows and only about half full.

He held the door open for me like the gentleman he was. He was really nice and I did enjoy his company.

Maybe he could become a friend with benefits? I could easily lick my way down that stomach!

Down girl! Remember the amount of times he has talked about marriage… yeah no!

As we entered the café, everyone seemed to freeze and stare at me. I am guessing they don’t get many tourists here!

Damien cleared his throat and they all went back to what they were doing except for a waitress that bounded over to us with a big smile on her face.

“Well howdy. Would you like a booth or a table?” she eagerly nodded at me.

“Booth in the back please, Trace”, Damien replied as he put his hand in the small of my back and led me to where the waitress pointed.

“So… I’m Tracey your amazing waitress” she then leaned in “just ignore everyone else. We don’t get many newcomers here”. I looked around to see everyone sneaking glances at me.

Just great!

Growing up in the country, I saw how newcomers were sized up and would always be treated as new comers for the next 2 generations at least, but this was different! And if I let my imagination take over, it was horror movie style.

It wasn’t the simple sizing someone up look. It was a “what the f**k is she doing here” look.

It was like they thought I was a threat to their tiny town. I definitely didn’t look like a developer or city slicker coming to take over their town, but maybe they had been having problems with that in the past and they were just worried I was one in disguise. That had to be it.

We ordered our drinks and she skipped away, slapping one young guy on the back of the head as she went. If looks could kill, his would have definitely put me 6 feet under by now.

I just ignored him and the others and looked at the menu.

Like most places, the menu was full of gluten and dairy, which my body would not be too happy about, since I was intolerant to both.

I did have my tablets that stop my body's reaction, but I didn’t want to be popping pills in the middle of the restaurant with everyone already on high alert watching me.

Tracey brought our drinks over.

“So I am dying to know everything but I’ll get your order first as I am pretty sure I heard your stomach a moment ago. What would you like?”

Damien motioned for me to order first with that smile still plastered on his face.

“Is there any chance I can be a pain and get the fish grilled with no batter and chips?” I can handle the chips being cross contaminated, as they call it.

“Of course. I can even change it to fish and salad if you like?”

“That would be great if you could”. I like her!

“I’ll have the burger with the lot and separate fries” Damien chimed in and put his menu back in the little holder on the table.

“Not surprised” Tracey laughed “I will be right back. Be prepared with your life story as I won’t be long”, she giggled, and skipped off again.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“She isn’t joking. I can count to 20 and she will be back, so be prepared”, Damien laughed and like that she was.

The tirade of 50 questions started immediately, but I didn’t mind. Her bubbly personality was infectious.

My favourite questions were if I have had a pet kangaroo and how do we survive with all the killer spiders and snakes.

She got called off to other tables every now and then but was back as quickly as she could.

As anyone would have guessed, her and Damien were born and raised in the town. Saying they love it there and can never see themselves leaving.

She left us alone for a bit when our food came out. I am guessing, so we could eat and wouldn’t have to talk with our mouths full.

I really didn’t mind. It was once again why I was loving my tour, meeting new people, listening to their stories and enjoying new company.

Damien and I started chatting again after a little bit. He was so easy to be around and, luckily didn’t bring up any more marriage bull s**t.

He and Tracey both looked at me like I had 2 heads when I said I didn’t want any dessert.

I still didn’t want to admit to my intolerances here, but when Tracey appeared with a chocolate cake slice in front of me I knew the game was up.

“This looks delicious but I can’t.”

“Sorry it is rude not to take food on the house” she insisted.

I couldn’t pass it to Damien as he already had a plate in front of him.

“Sorry I really can’t as I’m actually gluten and diary intolerant”

“What? Why didn’t you tell me? Was the fish and salad OK? I heard you can get really sick. The salad dressing…”

“No, no I’m ok. I can handle a little bit before I react. Don’t stress. I just can’t have the cake. But thank you”

“Oh, thank the goddess. You gave me a heart attack. I can’t go poisoning new customers.”

She relaxed again and took the cake back. I couldn’t help but laugh about how worried she had gotten.

“You’re all good. You still get a 5 star rating from me’

“I sure hope so!”

“Come on, let’s get going” Damien suddenly had a serious look on his face. He was trying to hide. “Tracey, thanks again. Stay safe” she nodded quickly. I won’t mention how odd that was!

“Wait, we haven’t paid yet” I remembered as we were walking to the door.

“It is on my tab, my treat. It’s not often I get to dine with a beautiful woman.”

Stopping outside the café, I went to ask if we were going to turn left or right when Damien grabbed my hand and pulled me to a black SUV that was parked out the front.

He opened the passenger door for me. “After you my lady.”

“OK. Are we stealing someone’s car?”

He laughed as he walked around and got in. “No, this is a town car. After I drop you off at mum’s, I will bring it back.”

A town car? With the keys in the ignition? No not odd at all….

“My mum’s name is Mary. I will drop you off and let you get settled as I have to get back to work with the… kids”

“You mean those boys you were with? Sorry did I keep you?”

‘Hello no! Don’t ever be sorry for keeping my attention”, he winked at me.

“How did we have a nice lunch with no sleazy comments and then you go back to them as soon as we are out of the café?”

His head went back as he let out a loud roar of a laugh.

“I don’t think my lines are that bad” he pretended to pout.

“Yeah, I suppose I have heard worse. You mention something about down under and I will hit you in the down under.”

“Ha, I prefer smooth than sleazy and definitely no down under jokes.”

"So you think you’re smooth huh?”

“Well, with the amount of times you have laughed and smiled, I would like to think so?”

I gave an over the top eye roll and made sure he saw it making us both laugh.

We pulled up to a cute little two-story weatherboard cottage with a very well-kept garden. Before the car had even stopped, a silver-haired lady came bounding out the front door.

For an older lady, she was very agile and ran straight to Damien and gave him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. Mummy’s boy!

“And this must be Emily! Oh it is so lovely to meet you and have you in my home. Come, come inside”. She gave me a big hug and then dragged me into the house.

It was very cute with a cosy living room as soon as you walked in. Then you could see the kitchen and dining through the door in front of us. To the right was a door and then a wooden staircase.

“I will leave you to it. Mum, please no bad stories and she is gluten and dairy intolerant, so no forcing cake down her throat”. He tried to scold his mum but you could see the warmth in his eyes.

He turned to me to say something but before he could, he was already being shooed out the door by his mum.

“Yes, yes. Off you go”, she practically pushed him out the door and closed it. It was quite comical watching a tall muscular man being pushed around by his mum.

“Now my dear, do you want a drink? You have to tell me all about yourself” and I know she will not stop until she even finds out what brand of toothpaste I use.

And I was right.

I happily told my story for the fourth time today. Although I kept missing out the bit about Craig and why I really started my traveling, just saying I saved up.

Mary was not buying it though.

“So you left because of a boy? I can’t see a ring indent so I am guessing you weren’t married” yep straight through me.

“Why do you think it was because of a boy?”

“Because a smart, beautiful woman who would normally be settled down with babies and isn’t old enough to have a midlife crisis must be running away from a boy”, she suddenly went serious “did he hit you?”

“No, he only cheated on me. And I caught him red-handed.”

She shook her head and sat back at the kitchen table where we were sitting with our drinks.

“I knew it! i***t! Some men just don’t see what is right in front of them. My Damien sure does though. He is single, did he tell you that?”

I definitely wondered if that was going to come up and yep was quicker than I thought.

“No I didn’t. I’m sure…” I didn’t get to finish my sentence.

“And he has been raised right. He would never ever cheat or lie. He knows how to treat a woman. I have heard he also knows how to show them a good time too”, she winked. Yep actually winked at me! Is she seriously trying to tell me her son is good in bed???? That's a new one!

I seriously didn’t know what to say about that.

“Damien was married once but unfortunately she died. He hasn’t been the same since. He has such a big heart and so much love to give. I think you two would be great together.”

OK, you can’t just slip something in like that and then go back to trying to match-make your son.

“I’m so sorry to hear that. That must have been terrible. How long ago may I ask?”

“It was horrible. They had only been married a couple of months… it will be 17 years ago this September. Now your food allergies, lets go shopping.”

This woman’s on and off switch to death was making me dizzy. Sure 17 years ago was a long time but still. And wait! How old were they? How old does that make him?

“Come on dear, lets go to the market and see what we can get that you can eat. I’m sorry to say there aren’t too many people with allergies around here. We may be limited and have to go for a drive tomorrow to the next town over."

“That’s OK, I actually have lots of gluten free bread, pasta and other things in my bag as well as my tablets, so I can have gluten and dairy every now and then. I just prefer not to rely on the tablets.”

“Well we can use all that as a back up, Lets go shopping!” she sings as she drags me back out the door. I couldn’t help but laugh.

Walking into their little market was like the café, everyone stopped and stared. Mary cleared her throat just like Damien had in a not very subtle way and they quickly went back to their shopping.

Shopping with Mary made me feel like a kid again. The way she pulled me along. It was sweet though how she asked me what I liked, read all the ingredients on packages, before she then asked “what about this?”

I was told story after story about Damien as a kid as I was dragged through the aisles.

I really liked her. I could truly see a lot of Damien in her and their easy going manner.

If I wasn’t so worried about going near another relationship, I would definitely be thinking about how much of a catch Damien really was.

Or could I maybe try one date to test out that theory, if he asks? But not if he mentions marriage again!

Or maybe not.

Of course, she refused to let me put any money towards the groceries. I slipped some cash into her bag when she wasn’t looking though.

While leaving I didn’t miss the gorgeous blonde with a red dress, the kind I would only wear in a night club, and 6 inch heals giving me a death glare.

I was confused at first before the light bulb in my head went off.

“So Damien has some admirers in town?”