Imagine That: A Small Town Big Love Novel Read online

  She ignored his comment and leaned in for a better look. “Your parents spent a fortune on your teeth, didn’t they?”

  “Actually, I tried to bite a Raiders helmet and the NFL covered my costs.”

  “Raiders? Like the football team?” she asked excitedly.

  He smiled again.

  “No, like rogue pirates who pillage and plunder,” he said with a wink. “Yes, silly. Like the football team, but my teeth came into contact with only one helmet.”

  “Where was I?” she asked, hanging on his every word.

  Kevin got up and took a set of keys off the wall.

  “I don’t know where you were.”

  She considered all the years he could have known her and didn’t. Maybe it was better that she’d been gone because it was all the past years that had molded him into the man he was today.

  She laughed. “I hardly know where I was. My life has been a blur.”

  “If I knew, I probably would have been hurt a lot worse, because I would have been so distracted by you.”

  They both froze. He’d just openly flirted with her. There was no mistaking it. Half of her wanted to push it and ask him to have dinner with her. The other half didn’t want to spoil it for fear she would chase him away.

  “I have to go.” He changed the subject abruptly. She didn’t have to chase him away. He ran off on his own accord.

  “Are you making rounds?”

  “Doctors make rounds,” he corrected her warmly. “I have a beat.”

  She followed him out of the station, tagging along like a puppy at his heels. That’s what it felt like—puppy love.

  When Kevin climbed into his vehicle, she walked down the street. Some of the other people from the meeting lingered nearby, talking on the sidewalk. It wasn’t a gigantic meeting, though big for Blackwood, which said something for a town with only one bar.

  She knew she should probably hang out with them and develop connections, but the better she felt, the less she wanted to. Meetings were great when she was at her worst, but as she recovered, she no longer felt the need to go. What she needed was to find something to do during the day. It was the boredom that was dangerous.

  What she wanted to do was hang out with Kevin all day, but he took his job seriously, and she didn’t want to become a pest. So far, he didn’t seem to mind her being around. When her stomach grumbled, she glanced down the street to the diner.

  With so many people about, parking was at a premium, so she left the Porsche in the tiny spot she’d carved out for herself.

  She walked over to the Blackwood Diner and sat at the counter. A waitress immediately approached. Maya knew that it was probably because of who she was. She didn’t like it that people thought they should treat her differently because she had money, but they did. She always got speedy, efficient service.

  “Good afternoon,” she said to the waitress. “I’d like a plate of fries, a side of coleslaw, and a job.”

  The waitress was writing until the last sentence, when she did a double take.

  “What did you say?” she asked, squinting at her.

  “I want a job,” she declared proudly. “Are you hiring?”

  Maya smiled and thought she sounded friendly, but whatever she said or how she said it earned her a scowl.

  “They will tear down the town, you know that, right?” There was enough acid in the woman’s voice to eat through metal. Never mind that her reply was more of an indictment than a question.

  Clearly, the waitress was operating under a misunderstanding that she would straighten out.

  “They’re not tearing Blackwood down. They’re giving it a facelift. This diner will still be here. Everyone will keep their jobs. I thought it would be nice to have one. Given the fact that the development company doesn’t seem to be able to get their act together, that facelift might take a while.”

  “Is that so?” asked the waitress sharply. “Do you think it’s cool for a wealthy person to take a paying job away from someone who might need it?”

  Maya blinked. The reason the waitress jumped to wait on her was the same thing that made her think she could talk to Maya that way. She was clearly full of contempt.

  “Pardon me?” She was stunned by the woman’s mean words.

  “I’ll bring your order.” She stomped toward the back to clip her slip in line with the others.

  “I wasn’t going to ask to be paid,” she called out after the surly waitress. She fidgeted with her silverware, lining them up as if she were preparing for a dinner party “Do you treat everyone who earnestly wants a job this way?”

  Suddenly, she felt like scrapping and apparently so did the waitress, who returned with a glower.

  “No, just the ones who are rich enough to own a town. Have you ever worked a day in your life?” She fisted her hips and waited for an answer.

  “I worked with an antique dealer for a while.” It might not count as much of an answer, but Maya felt triumphant that she hadn’t come up empty-handed.

  “That answers why you sold the town. It was one big antiques deal,” she said with a roll of her eyes.

  “Did you get stiffed in that transaction?” She leaned forward. “As I recall, we signed some pretty hefty checks. Did you get paid?”

  “I did, but some of us like to work.”

  “And you can’t work?”

  “Seems to be the case.” She reached over and rearranged Maya’s utensils, making sure the fork sat inappropriately next to the knife. “I know you say the people who bought the town can’t get their act together, but they got it together enough to send me a pink slip.”

  Maya sat back, pushing the silverware aside. “That’s not supposed to happen. That wasn’t part of the deal. Everyone should keep their jobs.”

  “I guess they don’t want the likes of me in their fancy pretend Old West diner.”

  Just as she was going to ask the waitress for her contact information, a crowd arrived and took up the empty seats at the counter. She recognized many of them from the meeting. When the waitress approached them immediately, Maya felt dumb. She’d received no special treatment because she was a Blackwood. The waitress treated everyone exactly the same.

  Waiting for her fries and coleslaw, she eavesdropped. The way they talked made it sound like they were all members of a 12-step group, the grumpy waitress included.

  “Are you all friends?” She asked loudly.

  They turned to her, saucer-eyed and silent. She extended her hand. “Maya,” she said enthusiastically.

  They each reluctantly shook her hand. It was clear she wasn’t welcome, but she would push it anyway. Why not? She rarely fit in anywhere. She held her hand out for the waitress to shake. Now that she knew she was a member of her 12-step group, she would press her buttons for sure.

  She moved closer so she would be part of the crowd, which was not as warm and welcoming as they were purported to be. She studied the waitress’s name tag, which she hadn’t bothered to check out before.

  “You’re Togi?” she asked with surprise.

  “No, I just stole her name tag.” Sarcasm floated heavy through the air.

  “You’re the fabled person they talk about in the rooms with a million years’ sobriety, right?”

  “Who You See Here. What You Hear Here. Let It Stay Here.” Togi reminded her of the need for confidentiality.

  “Wow, you’re nothing in person like what I’ve heard,” Maya said daringly.

  It was suggested that members of the 12-step group be warm and engaging and these people were standoffish and cliquey. It turned her off big-time.

  Togi’s face reddened. She was an angry cork ready to pop.

  “I wanted to ask if you’d be my sponsor?” It was a question asked on impulse.

  The entire group made the same surprised facial expressions. Eyes large. Mouths agape. Heads cocked to the side in confusion.

  Maya delighted in their shock.

  “Just like that?” Togi asked incredulously. “D
on’t ask me.”

  “You have to say yes.” She beamed with accomplishment. While not part of the actual constitution, it was an unwritten rule that people couldn’t turn down service requests. She half wanted to dive into the program because people testified that it changed their lives, but then the other half of her wanted to expose them for the phonies she suspected they were.

  “No, I don’t have to say yes.” Togi’s expression slid into a frown.

  Maya argued, playing a game. “Don’t you? I mean, anyone with your time must know something. Surely, you’ve got a lot to teach me.”

  Kevin walked into the diner and headed straight for her. He was so handsome, especially in his uniform. The way he moved made her rev from the inside out.

  “Give me your keys,” he said softly, without a care of interruption. “You’re parked illegally. I’ve got to move your car.”

  “Ladies.” He nodded to them in an old-fashioned, polite way.

  “Hi,” each of them said, studying the fact that she and Kevin were chummy.

  She fished inside her purse for the keys.

  “Jeez, Hoisington,” said one of the women. “You don’t move my car. You write me a damn ticket.”

  Togi’s eyes narrowed.

  “You serious about this?” Togi pointed between the two of them. “About working together? I’ll do it if you are, but I’ll treat you the same as anyone else.”

  “Yes,” Maya responded, surprising herself. “I am serious.”

  Togi reached into Kevin’s palm and snapped back the keys, handing them to her.

  “Come back here after you move your own car and don’t park illegally again.”

  Maya smiled and trotted out the door.

  Chapter Three

  Kevin

  Eyes narrowed and nose scrunched, Kevin took in the women sitting at the counter. They were like beta wolves seeking approval from their alpha Togi. Not sure about her, he stared her down. Why she cared if he moved Maya’s car was beyond him but being questioned about it made his hackles rise.

  “What?” she asked innocently.

  “Is it okay with you if I go with her?” His voice dripped with sarcasm. “Or should I stay here?”

  “Do you have a problem with letting her be responsible for herself?” asked Togi.

  “No.” He leaned against the counter. “I don’t have a problem being nice to her either, which I suspect you might.”

  “How can you say that?” Togi’s eyes flashed wide, no doubt taken from her arsenal of expressions she’d perfected as a drunk and mastered after she got sober. This one screamed victim.

  He responded with a lecture.

  “Because I know you.” He held back nothing. “You like who you like, and you don’t like who you don’t like, and both decisions are made before you even meet a person. I can see it right now. You don’t like her.” He looked at the women in front of him and nodded at each as he moved down the row. “You should worry about whether any of you are likable. Maybe people would do you nice favors like moving your car if you were. When you don’t get the same treatment as others, you need to ask yourself what you did to deserve different. Maya’s only crime is being rich.”

  Kevin turned and headed to the door.

  “She can do it herself,” Togi called after him. “Part of recovery is being able to count on yourself. Promise you won’t move her car.”

  He had a row of eyes staring him down, waiting for his answer.

  “I won’t,” He said reluctantly. The truth was he’d do anything for Maya, but on this point Togi was right.

  “All right then.” Togi dismissed him and focused on her minions.

  He walked faster to catch up with Maya. A smile on her face made her appear happier than he’d ever seen her. It was a far cry from that morning. Despite her back step, she was getting stronger every day.

  He waited and watched as she backed her sportscar out of the loading zone space. He waved at her, directing her to a legal spot.

  “I’ll stick out like a sore thumb.” She spoke quietly over a lowered window. “Why can’t I stay here? It’s at the end of the street and no one’s here.”

  He walked to the car and hovered over the door like he was making a traffic stop.

  “Nobody can park if you’re there. It’s for loading and unloading.”

  “That’s exactly what I’m doing. I’m unloading my body so it can load up on carbohydrates at the diner.” Her grin was heart-stopping.

  That damn smile could almost make him say yes to anything, but he’d never hear the end of it if he let it go, especially since he’d made such a big deal out of it in the first place.

  “Do you want to report back to Togi that I let you slide?” His shoulders raised in question. “I don’t. My coffee would never taste right again.”

  They lingered. He leaned on the car and stared down at her. He wanted her so badly. Those damn bedroom eyes that made his pulse race. Lips that were no doubt pillow soft and irresistible. Songs had been written about lips less perfect. If he leaned in and she moved toward him, their mouths could meet. But that wasn’t the plan.

  Kevin backed away from the Porsche so she could drive forward. She parked where she was supposed to and joined him.

  “Are you telling me you’re getting your coffee from another woman?” she flirted.

  He wanted to grab her and kiss her, but he stood like a stone in front of her.

  “You know she makes the coffee for the town hall meetings,” he said. “Togi makes the coffee at the diner and then rolls it over on the cart to Room 11. In reality, even you’re giving me coffee from another woman.”

  “I can’t believe I’ve been plying your senses with another woman’s wares.”

  He laughed and nodded. He thought she was adorable.

  “It’s not from the Blackwood Starbucks. But soon. Maybe after the development company rolls forward with the renovations.”

  “You know, Togi’s going to be my new sponsor,” Maya announced excitedly.

  He stopped. “What? Was that what all that was about?”

  “What?” she asked him.

  “I don’t want to interfere with your process, but she’s prickly and not always friendly,” he warned. “Is she the best choice? Where is your other sponsor? I thought you said you had one.”

  “She’s AWOL or ignoring me.” Maya let her shoulders fall forward. “I called her this morning before I got in my car and went for a drive. All I ever get is her answering machine. I heard her speak at a meeting once, and I thought she was awesome. She said she’d be my sponsor, and that’s the last time I ever talked to her.”

  “You’ve been without a sponsor all this time?” he asked with one part alarm and two parts awe. Maya had been working her way through her sobriety without help.

  “I haven’t needed it. You’ve been a great support. My family, mostly, has been great too.”

  “Yes, but you know how it works. You go to meetings, get a sponsor, read all the books and stuff.”

  “And that’s what I plan to do with Togi. She’s got a million years under her belt. She has to know something.”

  “It’s not a game,” he said. “You share your deepest feelings and truths. This can get real and Togi can be cruel. I’ve seen her humiliate paying customers before.”

  “That’s what she just did to me, but I put her on the spot. I asked her in front of people. She couldn’t say no.”

  “Okay.” He opened the door. “But I think you should pick someone nicer.”

  “It’ll be fine. We’ll focus on the things that people do when they get sober. I think this will be good for me. I want to see where it goes.”

  Maya was clearly excited to return to the crowd at the diner. He followed her inside, thinking he might join her for lunch.

  He knew he would when he looked to the counter and found the klatch was gone—everyone—even Togi.

  “Hey, where’s Togi?” Kevin asked the line cook peeking out the window of the k
itchen.

  He had a sinking feeling Maya had been ditched, which sounded like typical Togi.

  “Clocked out,” replied the cook. “Gone for the day.”

  Maya staggered, her feelings clearly hurt. He knew given Maya’s state of mind it was mean-spirited. He took hold of her hand and they sat in a booth.

  “You were right.” She let out an exasperated breath. “You said it wasn’t a game and I admit, I did this half out of fun. We were playing a game of one-upmanship, and I guess she won. I got what I deserved.” Each word was spoken softer until the last was a whisper. “I think I should leave.”

  “No,” he said. “Breathe. We will walk through this together. Stay here and get something to eat. Have you had lunch?”

  She shook her head and pressed her lips into a thin line. “I started this. I said I wanted a job and she made fun of me. I pushed it so she had to be nice. I guess I didn’t push hard enough. People are so mean.”

  “They can be.” His message was delivered with compassion. “Togi definitely can be, but people can also be good. Those are the ones you wanna focus on.”

  He rose from the booth and grabbed two menus then sat down again. He placed one in front of her. In through the door, Togi returned out of breath. Her arms overloaded with books, she slid into the seat next to Maya without asking.

  “Did Arnie tell you I went to get my materials?” she asked, her face showing excitement.

  “Hey Arnie,” Kevin scolded in his sheriff’s voice. “Did you forget something?”

  Arnie palmed his head.

  “My bad,” said Arnie. “The books.”

  “Thanks for nothing,” replied Kevin.

  Togi studied Maya. If she was even remotely attuned, she’d notice the sadness in Maya’s eyes.

  “Did you think I abandoned you?”

  Maya rolled her eyes and nodded her head, but she was too hurt to speak without a struggle.

  “I don’t know why I’m so emotional,” she rasped. “It’s so dumb.”

  “How much time have you got, honey?” she asked Maya.

  Kevin was heartened by the fact she used a term of endearment. That was the signal that Togi would show her nice side.