Page 17 of True North

She scrunches her nose up a little. “Well, if you’re not in a hurry to go back to work?”

Ah ha! She knew exactly where I was. I wouldn’t put it past her to have sent Harry to the diner herself. If there is one thing I know to be true, she loves her son more than the air in her lungs. Always has.

Knowing Harry, he never told her what happened before I left, only that I did.

“Potatoes and flour. I think that will do for the minute.” She wanders off with the cart and I fall in beside her. I should be getting back. Pretty sure my five minutes was up about ten minutes ago.

We head for the checkout with the small list of items. She pays in cash, and I carry her bags. She makes for the old blue buckboard truck the Rawlins have owned ever since I’ve known them.

“I bet I could make much better food for my boys with some proper instruction,” Mrs. Rawlins says as we reach their vehicle. She opens the door and squeezes the lever, shifting the passenger seat forward. I place the bags in the small space and step back.

“Sure, what did you have in mind?”

“Oh, something new age. I’m sick of eatin’ the same old thing night after night. Could you come out during the week? I don’t want to eat up your weekend. A young girl like you must have a thrivin’ social life.”

“Huh, not exactly. And I can do Wednesdays. It’s my day off.”

“Wonderful! Should I go back inside and grab some better ingredients?”

“I can bring some things.” The door to the diner opens a little ways down the street and Lisa waves at me. Time’s up.

“It’s lovely to see you, Mrs. Rawlins. I’ll be out Wednesday around lunchtime, okay?”

“Sounds perfect, sweetheart.” She beams at me. “Please, call me Rosie. You’re far too grown-up to be callin’ me Mrs. Rawlins these days.”

“Okay,” I say with a chuckle. “Bye, Rosie!”

I round the truck, heading back to work. Past the pharmacy, I turn back and wave to Rosie. She rolls the window down and waves me off. I turn back and slam straight into something hard. Warm. All sandalwood and heady.

“Shit! I’m sor—” I look up and into the deep blues of none other than Harry Rawlins.

His jaw is set.

I step back and suck in a rapid breath.

He stands there, staring at me. All lines and angles. Gaze homed in on my face as his hands hang by his sides.

“Hi,” I offer in a soft squeak. I flatten my immaculate uniform with my hands, not knowing what to do with myself.

“Hi.” His tone is anything but friendly.

I guess I don’t deserve anything more. Heavens, if the shoe was on the other foot, I doubt I’d be this put together.

“I ran into your mom,” I offer to fill the loudest silence known to man.

He glances to the truck.

I wring my hands behind my back, trying to look anywhere but his face. My heart is clambering in my chest, sending my stomach into a flurry of butterflies. How does the man still have this effect on me ten years later?

He shifts on his feet, like he wants to be anywhere but here.

“I should head back to work.” I go to move past him.

He plucks his hat from his head and runs a hand through that hair.

I stutter a goodbye and edge past him awkwardly. “See you ’round, Harry.”

Without a word, he hesitates, but walks for his truck.

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