by Elena Aitken
She was back in town. But why now? Why after all this time? And without her husband. And why was she staying in Junky’s apartment instead of with Christy? So many questions. None of which he had answers for. He knew he’d get some answers if he let himself listen to the gossip mill in town, but he’d never been one for gossip. It was a habit born from necessity years ago, when the mere mention of Cam’s name caused him pain. So he’d just stopped listening altogether.
With his mind preoccupied, and his body exhausted, he knew he was going to need some help if he was going to make it through his shift without nodding off, he was going to need coffee. Strong coffee. He pulled his cruiser into the busy lot at Daisy’s and blindly walked into the diner, focused on his goal.
“Morning, Evan.” Daisy greeted him with her usual smile. “You’re in early this morning. I didn’t expect you until…” She tilted her head in inspection. “You don’t look well, Evan. Are you taking care of yourself?”
Despite his exhaustion, he smiled broadly so Daisy wouldn’t have reason to worry. The last thing he needed was the whole town thinking he was sick. It wouldn’t take long for some of Timber Creek’s nosier residents to piece together exactly what Evan’s problem was. “Just a little tired this morning,” he said. “I really could use a cup of your strongest brew to help get me going today.”
“I’ll make a special pot, just for you, sugar.” She patted his hand. “It’ll just take a minute.” Daisy always knew how to take care of him. Even when he was a pain in the ass teenager, she’d always seen the good in him and went out of her way to give him an extra muffin, or extra fries with his burger.
“No rush, Daisy. Thanks.” As soon as the motherly woman turned away to measure an absurdly large amount of grinds into the coffee pot, Evan turned and surveyed the room. The diner was busier than usual for a Monday morning. It was nice to see the local small businesses doing well, and it filled him with hometown pride that his little town had been one of the ones that made it through the latest recession relatively unscathed. The tables were filled mostly with people he’d known all his life, with a few tourists or visitors mixed in for good measure. He nodded and smiled at everyone, but when his eyes landed on the table in the back corner with Christy Thomas and a very familiar blonde with her back turned to him, Evan’s heart stopped for a split second. His distraction didn’t go without notice.
“It’s nice to have her back, isn’t it?”
Evan half turned so he could talk to Daisy and still keep an eye on the women in the corner. “She must be here for the big anniversary.”
“Oh, I don’t think she’s here for a visit. You heard about that awful nastiness with her husband in the city, of course. I thought for sure that if anyone knew, it would be you, Evan.”
Daisy did seem to have a way of knowing everything there was to know about everything. Why she seemed to assume that Evan would have any knowledge of Cam’s life all these years later was beyond him, but he nodded.
“Just terrible what he did,” the old lady continued. “But if that’s what it took to get her back here, well, I’m glad for it.”
Evan’s curiosity was more than piqued, but he had to agree; whatever it was that happened, it was definitely good to have Cam back in town. Really good.
Before he could talk himself out of it, he tapped the counter. “I’ll just be over in the corner when that coffee’s ready, Daisy.” And without waiting for a response, he made his way through the crowded restaurant.
“Good morning, ladies.”
They hadn’t seen him coming, and were clearly in the middle of some serious discussion. Evan should have felt guilty for interrupting their girl talk, but he didn’t. Not if it meant seeing Cam again. And this time, not in a professional capacity.
“Morning, Evan.” Christy gave him a wink, one he ignored. Instead, he focused on Cam. Was it his imagination or did she turn just the slightest shade of pink when she noticed him? She was never one to blush when they were teenagers, but things were different then. They were different then. The blush was new. He liked it.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Evan said, not meaning a word. “But I saw you over here and thought I’d come by and see if…well, if you were getting settled in all right.” It was lame, really lame. Especially considering he didn’t even know why she was there or whether there was any settling needed to be done.
She nodded and maybe there was even the slightest bit of a smile. “I am. Things sure aren’t much different around here.”
“I don’t know about that,” he said. “I’d say some things are really different.” He held her gaze until she looked away, and Evan couldn’t help but wish he hadn’t pushed her right away. But things had changed. He’d changed. And for a reason he couldn’t seem to define, that was important for her to know.
Christy looked between them and shook her head. “Well, I’m sure it won’t take long to get back into the swing of things around here. Right, Cam? Especially now that you have Morgan enrolled in school. How cool is it that she’s going to the very same high school we went to?”
Evan didn’t hear the rest of what Christy had to say because all he could focus on was the fact that Cam had enrolled her daughter in school. That could only mean one thing. “You’re staying?” He blurted the question before he could stop himself.
Cam shifted in her chair and tapped the paper in front of her. “First I’ll have to get a job,” she said. “But yes, that’s the plan. At least for a little while.”
He could try to fool himself and say it was something else, but there was no point. Happiness filled him at her words. Cam was staying. He had absolutely no idea what that meant for him, or even what he wanted it to mean. He didn’t have time to think about it though, because the next thing she said made his stomach churn.
“No,” Evan said. “No way.”
Cam straightened her spine. “Pardon me?” Who did he think he was? Waltzing over here in his uniform, looking sexy as all—no. She couldn’t let her mind go there. She had way too much to think about without adding Evan to the list. She needed to focus. “I don’t know why you think you have a say in it.” She folded the paper she’d been looking at in front of her and pulled it close when he tried to grab it from her hands.
“There is no way you’re working at the End of the Road.” He crossed his arms over his chest as if that were the final word on the subject.
Cam didn’t particularly want to work at the sleaziest bar in the county, but according to the paper, it was the only place hiring at the moment, and something about Evan’s insistence that she could not work there made her want to go down and ask for the job even more. “It’s not up to you, Evan. I need a job and they’re hiring. I think I’ll go talk to…” She consulted the ad again and forced a smile when she looked up. “I’ll go talk to Tommy. Is that Tommy Jenkins?”
“The very same. And he’s absolutely no better than he was in high school.”
“Worse, in fact,” Christy chimed in.
Cam ignored her friend. “I’m sure he’s not that bad. It’s just a bar—how bad could it be?”
“Let’s just say that the End of the Road is a daily stop for me, and I’m not taking in the entertainment.”
“Entertainment?”
“Tommy added dancers.” Christy held up her fingers in air quotes and Cam raised an eyebrow.
“No,” Evan said again before quickly adding, “I mean…it’s not a good idea.” He caught himself and his overstep the moment it was out of his mouth. Thankfully for him, Daisy chose that moment to deliver him a coffee.
“Here ya go, sugar. Nice and strong. It should get you through the day, no problem.”
“Are you having trouble sleeping, Evan?” Christy turned to give him her full attention. “You should make an appointment to see Mark. Maybe he can prescribe you something to help you sleep.”
Evan took a sip of his coffee, which, judging by the look on his face, was just as strong as Daisy described and shook his head. �
��I’m good, Christy. But thanks.”
“You should probably go see Mark anyway. I didn’t want to say anything, but I think it’s been a little while since your last checkup.” She turned to Cam and added, “Did I tell you I started working part-time in Mark’s practice a few months ago? His receptionist went on maternity leave, so I’m filling in. At least until…” She drifted off, but she didn’t need to finish the sentence. Cam knew Christy was only trying to fill the time until she herself could get pregnant.
While the two of them debated Evan’s need for a medical checkup, Cam pulled out her tote bag and dug through the contents for her notebook. She flipped it open to a blank page, where she scratched down: End of the Road—Tommy Jenkins. Before she could click the pen shut, Christy grabbed the book from her hand.
“Where did you get this? It’s beautiful.”
“I had it made up with my photo. There’s a little print shop down the road from my house…well, my old place…that does them for me.”
“This is your photo? It’s beautiful, Cam. Really.”
Cam brushed off the compliment. The photo on the front of the book was one of her favorite shots of Morgan walking down the beach, her back to the camera, the ocean waves lapping her feet. So simple really, but really peaceful and serene. Her lens had captured the moment perfectly. “It’s nothing.”
“I don’t know about that,” Evan said. “I think it’s amazing. I’d put that on my wall.”
“You’re just saying that—” She didn’t finish the sentence because she couldn’t think of a reason Evan would be saying that. “Well, whatever. It’s just a hobby.”
“It shouldn’t be.” Evan took the book from Christy. “This is good, Cam. Really good. I didn’t know you still took pictures.”
She shrugged. When they were kids, she’d gotten hold of her dad’s old Canon and played around with it enough that she’d finally been able to take some decent pictures with it. Scenery shots of the mountains mostly, but she still had a few of Evan’s portraits tucked away. He’d been her only human subject. At least until Morgan was born, but by then, the idea of making a career out of photography had all but disappeared.
“Seriously,” Evan continued. “This is really good. This is what you should be doing for money. Forget waitressing. That’s a total waste of talent, if you ask me. Never mind the fact that working for Tommy Jenkins is definitely not a good idea.”
So they were back to that. Cam grabbed the notebook and stuffed it back in her tote bag, along with the newspaper. She’d had about enough of catching up with old friends as she could handle for one day. Besides, groceries weren’t going to buy themselves. No matter what Evan said, she needed a job and she wasn’t going home until she got one.
Chapter Four
There wasn’t much crime in town, but things could still be busy for one of the only officers in Timber Creek, especially when it was the last thing Evan wanted. By the time he had a chance to get out to visit Tommy Jenkins at the End of the Road, it was nearing dinner time.
No doubt he’d have reason to visit the seedy bar later on, but that would be for business, and what he wanted to talk to Tommy about was personal, very personal.
There were only a few cars in the lot when he pulled his cruiser up to the front door, and he recognized most of them as regular patrons. Tommy Jenkins’s beat-up Jeep was there, too, which was exactly what he wanted.
Evan knew he had no right to do what he was about to do, but he didn’t care. Even if there hadn’t been a history between them, he would still look out for Cam. Just as he would any of his friends. New or old. At least that’s what he kept telling himself as he pulled open the heavy wooden door and walked into the dimly lit, smoky room.
The End of the Road never failed to smell like rancid deep fryer oil, stale beer, and desperation. He tried not to wince as the odor assaulted his senses and he made his way straight to the bar.
“Rhonda.” He nodded at the waitress who’d been working there for as long as he could remember, and had been the subject of more than one police call. She was a tough lady who didn’t take any crap from her customers, which, unfortunately for her, also resulted in a few visits to the station from time to time. “Tommy around?”
Rhonda smiled and pointed to a table in front of the stage where a young woman with very little clothing on was moving slowly in time to the music. Evan made a note to check IDs on Tommy’s dancers. “Can I get you something, Officer?”
Evan could have used another cup of coffee, but judging by the layer of grime in the coffee pot he’d seen once, he wouldn’t be ordering one. “I’m good, Rhonda. Thanks.”
Without wasting anymore time, Evan made his way to the table and stood over the man.
“Have a seat, Officer.”
Evan assessed the chair as well as Tommy, who hadn’t taken his eyes off the girl in front of him. Before he could protest, Tommy added, “I insist.”
Tommy turned slowly and pulled a toothpick out of his mouth.
“I’m not staying.” He set his jaw and crossed his arms over his chest.
The other man spun slowly in his chair, hitched one leg over the other and looked up at Evan. His lips twitched up in a sleazy grin. “What can I do for you?”
“I understand you’re hiring.” Evan didn’t waste any time. “And I just came to let you know that if Cam Riley comes in here looking for a job, you need to let her know the position has been filled. Understand?”
Tommy took his time answering, flicking his toothpick around with his tongue. Finally, he pulled it out of his mouth and with a chuckle in his voice, asked, “Are you threatening me, Officer?”
“Not at all.” Evan hitched up his belt. “I’m just telling you to let her know the position has been filled. That’s all. I’d hate for someone to have to call the health department about your broken fume hood.” He was just taking a chance that the kitchen had some sort of violation, and it likely wasn’t too far of a stretch.
“Fume hood’s fine, Evan.”
Undeterred, Evan tried a different approach. “I wouldn’t want your customers to be inconvenienced by any random compliance visits, Tommy. Every few days,” he added for good measure.
With a sigh, Tommy uncrossed his legs and rose to his feet. He popped the toothpick back into his mouth and immediately flipped it with his tongue before addressing Evan again. “Well, that might border pretty close to harassment, now wouldn’t it, Officer? Besides, the position has been filled.”
Relief washed through Evan. He recognized the fact that he didn’t have any say in what Cam did, or the decisions she made, but the idea of her working for scum like Tommy Jenkins didn’t sit well with him. Not at all. If the position was filled, he wouldn’t have to worry about it. Unless—
“I hired Cam Riley earlier this afternoon.” The man grinned again. “She starts tomorrow. Grateful for the opportunity, too. Sounds like she’s in a bit of a bind. I’m only too happy to help her out.”
Evan was absolutely sure he was. And he didn’t like it. More than that, he didn’t like the smug look on Tommy’s face. Evan wasn’t stupid, and there was too much history between the two of them to think that Tommy’s hiring Cam was anything but revenge for all the pressure Evan had put on Tommy to clean up his bar since he’d joined the force in Timber Creek.
They’d been friends once. Well, maybe not friends. Not the way he’d been with Ben. But the two of them had absolutely gotten into their fair share of trouble together when they were kids. The difference was, Evan straightened himself out. Tommy hadn’t.
Not unless you counted owning the sleaziest bar in town, and conducting what Evan was positive was shady business dealings. If only he could prove it.
He shook his head and did his best to tamp down the frustration that was rising within him.
“She can’t work for you.”
“She starts tomorrow.”
Evan glanced at the dancer who was still gyrating with a vacant look in her eyes. “No.” He
shook his head. There was no way Evan was going to let Cam work here. Not that he had any say in what she did, where she worked, or…well, anything at all when it came to Cam.
“She’s not dancing, Evan.” It was probably his imagination, but Evan caught the slightest bit of humanity in the other man’s voice. “She’s going to be serving drinks. The afternoon shift mostly.”
That made him feel slightly better. But not much.
“I don’t like it,” Evan said after a moment, and then added, “If I hear of any trouble out here—”
“I know, I know, you’ll shut me down.” Tommy crossed his arms. “You’ve been singing the same tune for years, Anderson. If you had anything on me, you would have done it already. But if it makes you feel better to puff up your chest, don’t let me stop you.”
There wasn’t anything more he could do. Except talk to Cam and convince her to find employment elsewhere, but that hadn’t gone too well earlier. He turned without saying good-bye and started to walk away when Tommy stopped him.
“Maybe if you’d have been more of a man back then she wouldn’t be running to me, Anderson.”
It took everything Evan had not to turn around, grab the man by the neck and show him exactly who was more of a man, but he was on duty. And fortunately for him, at that moment his radio on his lapel crackled to life.
He waited until he was outside before answering the call.
“What’s going on, Gladys?”
“Attempted shoplifting at Timber Trade,” his dispatcher replied. “Dale Gordon caught her and is holding her until you can get there. Just a kid, from what I understand.”
Evan took one last look at the seedy bar and shook his head. Talking to Cam would have to wait. But there was no doubt he’d give it his best shot. Again. There was no way a woman like her should be working in a place like that.