CHAPTER 17: To Kate’s Diner
Her reaction tells me that I am doomed.
Yeah, nice one, Jaidyn. You just dig your own grave. I wanted the fact that I spent the night with Traian to remain secret as much as possible until I was still here.
“Have you seen his house? As in the castle in the woods? As in inside?” Claire blurted out. “Oh my god”
“Yes, I… I kind of do,” I said.
She squinted her eyes at me, staring. “How? How did you get inside? I mean as much as I know you stay here in your cabin the whole day”
“I went to the pub last night” I swallowed, “And we met again there and things happened”
“Oh my god!” She stood up and suddenly hugged me which left me surprised, and beaming. “You two did the deed? Oh my god! That’s why you have his faint smell! I cannot believe this”
She looked so thrilled which left me confused and curious at the same time. But her last remark did catch my whole attention. I take a bath that leaves me to conclude that Traian’s addicting and strong perfume was washed off of me. And I am sure as hell I can’t smell someone on others.
“What do you mean by a faint smell of him?”
She turned back to her chair and said, “Huh? Did I say that?”
I nod, “Yup”
“Never mind that. I just have this sensitive smell” She clapped her hands. “So, how’s your night with him?”
I managed a little smile as I looked down at my glass of juice and said, “It’s fine”
“Just fine Really?”
“Uhm…more than fine, I guess”
She laughed, “I doubt your night was just fine, honey”
To avoid responding to her, I merely shrugged and drank my juice.
She asked, her voice becoming softer and more concerned, “But why do you sound so glum? Is everything okay?”
I took a breath while thinking. Even though I’ve only known Claire for a few days, she already knew Traian, and I don’t want to stir up any unnecessary controversies or rumors about me being drawn to someone when I’ve just recently ended a relationship.
Yeah, I don’t want that rumor.
I ended up giving her a sigh. “It’s nothing. I just have a lot on my mind like my boyfriend cheating and kissing someone else which my friend saw”
“Oh honey,” Claire took my hand and murmured, ” That man is a jerk, he doesn’t deserve you.”
“That’s really the reason why I went to the pub last night”
Claire stood up and smiled at me, holding my shoulder. “Then you should continue going out. Now, with us. Let’s go to Kate’s diner in the town. She really wanted to serve you her best sellers”
“Really?”
” Yeah, she noted that maybe it will make you stay here forever”
I laughed, shaking my head. “Perhaps, if it is worth staying for”
A glint of emotions briefly passed on Claire’s face before she smiled. “I hope you find a worthy reason to stay here”
She walked to the door with me behind her. “I will pick you up later. I will just check my plants which I forgot to water” and opened the door.
“Does Cayden don’t water it? “I asked, grinning.
“Oh no,” she waved her hand off, “I forbade him from touching my plants because I didn’t want to go home and find them looking like they would die the next day”
I laughed at her jokes and waved which she returned before closing the door
…..
“Hey, are you ready?”
Claire leaned against my bedroom door as I turned around.
“Yes,” I picked up my purse and walked towards her. “Let’s go”
Claire nodded, her eyes were on my travel bags placed at the foot of the bed before she faced me.
We walked together to the door. Claire went first to the red car parked in front while I locked the cabin.
After I settled inside the car, we drove off. The radio’s low-pitched country music perfectly complements the silence inside the car. I felt somewhat calmer because Claire and I didn’t talk much however, I could tell that Claire was thinking about something. I merely kept my eyes outside, admiring the spectacular scenery of the houses, trees, and flowers, as well as the youngsters playing and strolling around.
“Did I ever mention how your town is so calming?” I mumbled as I closed my eyes and felt the cool breeze rushing in from the side window that was open.
Claire chuckled. “Yeah, one time”
“I didn’t say it enough”
“Now, that’s second”
I giggled as I turned to gaze at Claire who had her hands casually maneuvering the steering wheel.
“How long are you and your family living here in this town?” I asked, suddenly curious.
She tapped her forefinger on the steering wheel as if to think for a moment. “Maybe….. 200 years”
My eyes widened. “200 years?!”
“Yeah. Well, we’ve been here since my great grandma”
“How long has this town been built?” I absentmindedly muttered, glancing outside.
“A very, very long time ago”
I turned to Claire who was staring in front-on the clear road but her eyes felt like she was envisioning some memories. A little part of me wanted to ask whether or not she knew Traian’s parents after remembering his story about them. But the memories of him telling me this morning that we are no strangers resurface in my mind.
Why am I suddenly curious about his life? Stop it Jaidyn! Stop thinking about him!
I sighed and pushed the thoughts about him. We soon arrived at the area of the town that I assume was the town square based on the numerous stalls and shops, several motels and bed and breakfasts, and the neighborhood gas station and garage erected around it. People were moving around and periodically caught our vehicles in their gaze; some of them even smiled as if they knew who was inside.
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Claire pulled her car up outside a structure composed of native schist stone. Near the door, a wooden sign bearing the word K’s DINER was hanging from strong chains. Men were working to take down the dancing marquee in the nearby reserve. A little farther down the road was a neighborhood bar that, according to Claire, did a booming business on the weekends but was quieter during the week.
“This is Kate’s diner,” Claire said after we got out to her car. “She wanted you to come here since she’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, in her opinion, her store is open every day, making it impossible for you to get away”
In a small bit of amusement and anticipation of seeing the building’s interior, I grinned. “That’s cruel”
My response was drowned out by the rumbling of a big red tractor that was parked outside the tiny grocery store that also served as the post office. I smiled a little and shook my head. I didn’t think I’d ever get used to the various agricultural equipment that traveled on the same roads as vehicles and trucks.