Page 44 of No Place Like Home
Maybe. The omelet sat heavy in Rosalyn’s stomach. Her secrets were turning her into someone she didn’t recognize. Someone who lied—even if it was for good reason.
She debated a moment longer, watching as a red-headed waitress whose nametag read Trish flirted with a group of guys wearing cowboy hats and eating chicken-n-waffles. Mama D ambled out of the back hallway on her cane, pausing by a booth with a middle-aged man reading his Bible, and rattled off something that made him laugh. Conversations and camaraderie hovered everywhere she looked.
Maybe she could have a tiny piece of it. Just while she was here.
“There’s more to it.” Rosalyn braced her arms against the tabletop. “I fell and injured my knee several weeks ago.”
“Good gravy.” Elisa’s eyes widened. “That had to have been scary.”
“It wasn’t fun. I had bad dreams about it for a few nights. It should’ve been much worse than it was.”
Sympathy filled Elisa’s gaze. “But you’re okay now?”
“Sort of. I have to be careful what skills I do.” Rosalyn took a quick sip of her tea, the hot brew comforting.
“Should you be resting instead of doing the circus?” Elisa held up both hands. “Not that I’m trying to talk you out of it.”
And now they were back to the part of the secret Rosalyn couldn’t share. No one could know that her injury, while terrifying, had allowed her to come home and regroup. But obligations waited for her, people demanding their money. Blaine said he’d covered for her to have leave time, but she couldn’t take much longer. It was a miracle she’d convinced him to let her go to her “one-hick town,” as she’d downplayed, and rest for free with her family rather than hole up somewhere he could keep an eye on her.
Like, with him.
Elisa watched her, clearly waiting for an answer.
“I really want to do it.” Rosalyn drew a deep breath as she set her mug on the table. And she really needed the money. “It’s a good cause. And my routine will be more laid back than usual.” She’d cut her typical rate in half, knowing it’d be the only way the town could afford her. And with her current limitations, it felt fair.
Elisa’s eyes warmed. “I know that helps Cade out a lot.” She laughed. “And if what I saw the other day at the studio is laid back, I’d love to see you perform for real.”
It wasn’t all it appeared.
Before she could answer, the door behind her jingled open, letting in a gust of misty wind. Footsteps sounded beside their booth and she looked up as Cade looked down.
He’d come back.
For her?
She tried not to notice the way water droplets clung to his darkening facial hair. Tried not to remember that same stubble under her fingers an hour before.
She failed at both.
“I’ve made a decision.” Cade shoved into the seat across from her, forcing Elisa to scoot over with a mild protest. He locked eyes with Rosalyn. “We’re going on another drive.”
“We are, are we?”
“Yes.” Then he did a double take at her plate. “You should finish that first.”
She raised an eyebrow. “You’re sure bossy.”
“You need food.” He gestured to her plate. “You barely eat enough as it is.”
Rosalyn snorted. “While you eat enough for everyone.”
Elisa looked between them. “I’ve missed a step. What do you meananotherdrive?”
Cade ignored her. “We need a do-over.”
“You think so?” Rosalyn cupped her hands under her chin, fighting to hide her smile. Their banter was back. “Do tell.”
“In front of Elisa?” Cade asked.
