Page 71 of Lodged

“My pleasure. I’ve been looking for ways to do the most good, and this is certainly one of them.” We shake hands and after some small talk about the weather and the upcoming festivities in the area, we say goodbye.

I leave the college campus with an extra pep in my step. I need to call Penny and let her know we need to send an official proposal to get the ball rolling.

“Hello there, how are you today?” Ruin greets me, and I follow her to what’s quickly becoming my usual spot at the diner. She looks extra tired today, with dark circles under her eyes. I wonder what happened?

“I’m excellent. How about you?” I ask, hoping she’ll tell me, but tonight, the diner is particularly busy.

“Hanging in there. It’s been a long day.” That’s all she says before leaving me at my table with a menu. This time, I decide to actually look at it rather than ask her for suggestions—I don’t want to add to her plate if she’s feeling tired.

“I think I’ll have the chicken and waffles tonight.” She smiles at me and writes down my order in her little notepad. “Do you think you can take your break with me again tonight?”

She bites her bottom lip, assessing the diner. “Yeah, I need a break. I’ll be back with your food in a jiffy.” She heads toward the kitchen, but she’s limping. Fuck, I hate feeling so useless right now. I’d wait tables for her, but I know she’d have lots of questions about my interest in taking care of her when we’ve only known each other for two days.

She comes back with my food in no time, holding a drink for herself—a milkshake. It looks so decadent that I can’t help but ask, “What flavor is it?” I point to it with my fork.

“Oh, it’s Fruit of the Forest,” she says, taking a sip before moving the large glass toward me, gesturing for me to try it. I give her a grateful smile and take a sip. A low moan escapes me after the intense flavor of raspberries, strawberries, and a hint of rhubarb hit my taste buds.

“This is delicious,” I tell her as I push the milkshake back to her, and she giggles.

“Why, thank you. I’m actually the one in charge of making the milkshakes,” she says proudly.

“I’ll keep that in mind. I’m definitely ordering one tomorrow.” She smiles over her milkshake while I eat a bite of my food.

“I hope I’m not intruding, but I was wondering if you’re okay? I couldn’t help but notice you’re limping a little.”

Ruin winces, and I panic. Fuck, I’m going too fast for her.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked,” I hurry to say, but she waves me off.

“No, no. It’s okay. Actually, it feels nice to talk about this with someone who isn’t related to me.” She drinks from her milkshake and looks me straight in the eye. “I had an accident back in the winter.” She pauses, and I stop eating, giving her my undivided attention. “I can’t remember why, but apparently I was coming back home from Spruce Falls, and my car brakes stopped working. I lost control, and the road was slippery. As I was sliding side to side, a truck came on the opposite side of the road, and I went down the mountain.”

That must have been so scary. No wonder she lost her memories. I wipe a stray tear off her face, and she smiles at me.

“Anyway, I got several broken bones and had to do a lot of physical therapy to walk again, but I still need more therapy. My insurance decided I’ve had enough, so I don’t get it as often as I need anymore. But I had a session, and that’s why you see me limping. I’m just too tired.” She shrugs like it’s not a big deal, but I can’t believe she has to deal with this.

“Is there a way to hire more waiters? At least on the days you have therapy, so you can get some proper rest?” I ask, the wheels in my brain already turning, formulating a plan to get Ruin everything she needs.

“I don’t think that’s feasible at the moment. My family still has a big debt from when my dad passed, and I don’t want to add to their plate. She lowers her gaze, and I reach for her hand. She squeezes my hand and tries to smile, but it comes off as crooked. “I know we don’t know each other, but I feel at ease when you’re around. Thank you for listening.” She gives my hand one more squeeze and gets up to go on with her job.

I need to speak with the hospital again. The way they phrased it to me when they told me Ruin was out of the hospital made it sound like she didn’t need anything else. I’m fucking livid at the thought I could have been helping her with physical therapy and didn’t do it.

It’s been nearly a month since I moved to Azalea Creek, and I’ve come to the Rustic Spoon every single night for dinner. I thought about coming for breakfast and staying all day to work from here, but I’d be distracted all day, and Ruin likely wouldn’t appreciate being stalked.

“Evening, Gio. What do you feel like tonight?” Ruin asks me as she leads me to my table.

“Why don’t you choose for me this time?” I ask with a smile, and right on cue, she blushes. She nods and makes her way to the kitchen.

It’s Wednesday, and it’s slower than usual. Maybe the summer crowds are starting to thin out as we get closer to the school season.

I’ve been working on the curriculum for the environmental program at the community college. As expected, the board of trustees is overjoyed with my generous donation and is working tirelessly with the town of Spruce Falls to get approval for the addition of a new building on campus.

When Ruin comes back with a tray full to the brim, I frown, and she laughs.

“It’s a slow day, and since you asked me to choose your food, I thought you wouldn’t mind if I joined you.”

“I love when you have time to join me.” I wink at her, and her blush deepens.

“You two should join me after dinner,” Ruin’s grandma tells us from a table across the diner, and I smile at her. Granny is a local celebrity. I’ve come to know her in the past couple of weeks. She likes to go to the diner every day and read the tarot to whoever would listen. The townspeople and tourists alike come for food and stay for the laughs. Some people say she’s pretty accurate, and others just shake their heads in amusement.

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