Page 20 of Ash

The man ushered in the woman he was with, introducing themselves as they walked and Suzannah saw the gentle touch he kept on her lower back.

She didn't miss the look that passed between them.

It was odd for her. To be in a room with two loving and sweet couples when she spent most of her time alone. She watched as Don and Alice explained that she'd missed the bus, but she appreciated that they didn't mention what had happened that kept her from getting on the bus for the most part. Explaining that their bathroom door had gotten stuck with her inside.

Smiling, she looked at the couple that had driven to the diner to pick her up. "I'm sorry for taking your time like this."

"Not at all." Celeste Winter waved off her concern as she touched her hand on her husband's shoulder. "It was a nice drive together. The wind in my hair as we drove along the road. It made me feel young again."

Suzannah blinked at her, stunned. Celeste didn't look like she needed to feel young, she looked amazing.

Her husband Aaron looked at his wife like she was an angel on earth. "We were happy to come and pick you up. James was worried that you'd be stranded somewhere overnight. And we know our way around Mystic. We can drop you off at your Great Aunt's house when we get there."

Suzannah felt like she was reading a book and missing a few important pages. "She has... I mean, had a house?"

Celeste brightened at the question. "Yes. It's a cute little gingerbread house behind the bakery. So does Hetty, her partner. It's a matched set of homes that remind me of those Christmas house sets that people collect. Perfectly adorable."

"So, the house..." Suzannah drifted off as her thoughts spun in her head.

Aaron nodded. "You have a house and half of the Bakery."

Suzannah felt a little... faint. "I can't believe it."

Celeste moved closer and gently placed a hand on her back. "It's a lot."

Suzannah looked into her kind eyes and nodded. "I didn't know I had family. I thought... I thought I was alone."

"Oh, sweetie." Alice took her hand and gave it a friendly squeeze. "Not anymore."

Don stepped up and held out a bag to Suzannah. "I packed up the chili and crackers. A breakfast sandwich because you really shouldn't go without trying that bit of deliciousness... if I do say so myself."

Alice laughed at his words. "Can we get something for the two of you?"

Celeste and Aaron both demurred. Aaron spoke for them. "We just ate before we left and by the time we get home, I'm going to be ready to climb into bed."

Celeste blushed and her eyes lowered to the floor. "Yes, we're fine. Thanks."

Suzannah took the bag and stepped forward to give Don a hug. The big man looked as surprised as she felt to find strangers so willing to be kind to her. Then she wrapped her arm around Alice in a tight hug. "Are you sure I can't pay-"

"It's a gift from us. We want to make sure you're well fed and happy. We can only help with the first part with the food. But," she leaned in closer, her voice dropping in volume, "you're welcome to come back here anytime. For any reason."

When Suzannah stepped back, her eyes were filled with tears. "Thank you."

Alice grabbed up the silver metal napkin holder and dashed off a few napkins to dry the tears on her cheeks. "You're going to make me cry and I'll look like a raccoon."

Celeste and Aaron were trying to hide their smiles, but while Suzannah didn't understand the humor she knew they weren't being mean. She could feel how warm they were as people, happy and genuine.

She didn't know how she knew, but she did.

It was the same reason that when she'd met her former boss, she knew he was a horrible man.

And how that man in the diner had been...

"Suzannah?"

She dragged herself free from the memory. "Sorry."

She knew her overly bright smile might get her a pass but based on the looks of concern from the people surrounding her, she was wrong.

---