She sucked in a deep breath and chastised herself for going back. She couldn’t undo the past, but she could sure as hell make certain she didn’t make the same mistakes again.
New life. New chance. New opportunity to be a different person. Or at least to find the person she’d been before she’d allowed Joel to change her.
At six A.M. sharp, she flipped the switch to the neon Open sign and made sure she had an order pad and a pen in her apron pocket.
She and Evie worked the morning shift with Clark manning the grill. The diner closed at two because Dillon Colter’s pub opened at lunch and the pub usually attracted the evening crowd.
Lauren liked the hours because it left her with the entire afternoon off, and her workday was behind her. She often spent the afternoons with Callie and Max or when they were gone, she’d visit with Holly and Lily Colter.
They tended to stop in to visit Lauren more often now that she’d moved into town. Lauren knew they still worried about her and that none of them had been thrilled with the idea of her moving out on her own so soon.
Except Holly.
Of all of them, Holly understood Lauren the best, and Lauren loved the older woman for her willingness to give Lauren room to breathe.
She needed to regain her confidence and reassert herself. Make her own decisions and live her own life. She may not be ready to take on the entire world yet, but she could safely say she was ready to take on the town of Clyde.
She smiled when the bell jangled, signaling the first customer of the day. She turned, already having a good idea of who it would be, and she was right.
Seth Colter, the sheriff, strode into the diner and took his usual seat by the window.
“Morning, Seth,” she said as she approached his table.
Seth looked up, giving her a warm smile that made her insides squeeze. All of the Colters had been so good to her.
“Morning, Lauren. Everything okay today?”
It was the same question he asked her everyday.
“Yep. How is Lily doing? You want your usual?”
Seth’s entire face softened at the mention of his wife.
“She’s doing great. More tired than usual, but we’re taking good care of her. And yeah, my usual will be great. Keep the coffee coming if you don’t mind. Had a late call last night and I’m operating on three hours’ sleep.”
Lauren winced. “Ouch. Anything major?”
Seth laughed. “As major as it ever gets here. Lost hiker. His girlfriend got worried when he didn’t show up for dinner. Turns out he was over in the next town with another woman.”
Lauren shook her head and then turned in the direction of the kitchen. “I’ll be right back with your coffee.”
She grabbed the freshly brewed pot of coffee and poured a cup, adding two sugars and one cream. She quickly scribbled Seth’s order, tore off the paper and then slid it across the divider to Clark.
Then she went back to Seth’s table with his cup of coffee.
“You’re a goddess,” Seth said, grabbing for the cup before it left her hand. “Hey, before I forget, I’m supposed to tell you that Callie is coming over to visit Lily this afternoon and Lily wanted me to tell you that you should stop over after your shift.”
“Thanks. I just might do that,” Lauren said.
“How are you liking the new place?” Seth asked, peering at her intently over his coffee. “You having any problems?”
She smiled at the concern in his eyes. It was nice to have people who cared about her.
“The place is great. Just perfect for me. It’s cozy and it’s right here in town. I know Max worries, but—”
“We all worry,” Seth corrected gently.
“Yes, I know, but you shouldn’t. I’m fine. The apartment is great. I love the job. It’s nice to be around people again without . . .”
She trailed off, embarrassed by where she’d nearly gone with the conversation.
“Without?” Seth prompted.
“Worrying that they’ll hurt me,” she said softly.
Seth reached over and squeezed her hand. “Now that you don’t have to worry about here. You have me and Max plus the dads and Dillon and Michael to watch out for you. Not to mention Callie, Lily and my mother, and between you and me, someone would be a damn fool to ever cross my mother. She’s pretty scary when it comes to protecting her babies, even if her babies are grown