Page 11 of Treasured

"I'm not exactly sure what I heard," Aunt Max says, which is answer enough. "I just put a batch of biscuits in the oven. Why don't you shower and get cleaned up then come down and have some fresh biscuits?"

"Yeah, I could use a shower, I think." God, this is so embarrassing. I glance up and see the dreamcatcher. No, that thing doesn't really work, does it? It’s kept the nightmares away but these sexy dreams are getting really embarrassing.

"Yes, that does sound like a good idea. A cold shower," she says with a grin before she turns and leaves the room.

* * *

I enter the kitchen to the aroma of hot biscuits.

"Oh," Aunt Max says with a hint of disappointment when she turns and sees me. "I washed that pretty blue blouse of yours. Don't you want to put that on?"

I glance down at the T-shirt I'm wearing. It does have a stain on it. "I'll put that blouse on later," I say. "I'm going for a walk at the park after breakfast, so this old T-shirt is fine." I haven’t been out of the house much but after the trip to Stitch and Bitch, I’m feeling more bold. Besides, I could use some fresh air.

"Oh," Aunt Max says again. She glances at the clock over the stove. "Well, you need to have at least a biscuit and some coffee before you go."

I prefer to exercise on an empty stomach, but Aunt Max seems flustered. Of course, listening to me scream 'fuck me, Creed' probably isn't the sort of thing that happens on a regular basis. "That sounds great. Thank you." I pour myself some coffee, put a biscuit on a plate and sit down at the table to add butter and strawberry jam.

"This is fabulous," I say around the sticky biscuit in my mouth. It's flaky and light, practically melts when it touches my tongue and I wash it down with a big gulp of coffee.

"Good. Have another one," Aunt Max drops a biscuit on my plate before I have a chance to say no.

"Can I just save this one for later?" I say. "I really want to get to the park for my walk."

Aunt Max looks disappointed and I feel like a jerk because she's always been so kind to me, but then she smiles and says, "Well, you'd better get going so you can get back soon."

She's practically pushing me out the door.

"Hurry home," she calls as I walk to my car.

* * *

"Tracy!" I hear my name and turn to see Presley and two particularly handsome Eagle Canyon men heading into Pat's Diner which is located across from the park.

My new friend trots over to me. "Come and join us. Please?" She grabs my arm. "I've been telling my husbands about you and they said they thought they knew you."

The two men wave and gesture for me to join them. I think about Aunt Max and her concern that I get home soon but she also wants me to get out more. I'm also regretting that I didn't put on a shirt that looks nicer. In the back of my mind I can't help wondering when the inevitable will happen and I'll run into Creed and Jake.

"Sounds great," I say, screwing up my courage and following her into the diner.

When I get closer I recognize her husbands, Nash and Daniel. Despite the large numbers of children most families have since the boys are born as twins, it’s still a small town where it’s easy to know just about everyone.

"Tracy! Haven't seen you in ages. Welcome home," Nash says, giving me a big hug. Daniel leads the way and we all sit at a table, Presley and I on one side, her husbands across from us. In any other location, it might look like a double date, but here in Eagle Canyon I am clearly the third, or fourth, wheel.

But, Nash and Daniel are old friends and clearly they are completely in love with Presley and that makes me happy for all of them. And a bit jealous. They show me photos of their children and I nearly melt at the cuteness.

"Tracy! I heard you were back in town," Katie, who's worked at Pat’s since we were in high school together, stops by to pour coffee for all of us. "I'm glad to see you. Welcome home."

It's on the tip of my tongue to say that I'm only here for a short visit, but Katie is so enthusiastic in her greeting, it seems rude to say anything like that. I just smile and thank her. Besides, if I say I’m only staying a short time, someone will ask where I’m going next and since I have no clue, it’s probably wise to just shut my trap.

I’m trying to make better decisions. Honest.

"The usual?" Katie says to Nash, Daniel and Presley who all nod and say yes. Then she glances at me. So much for not wanting to eat too much before my walk. I order scrambled eggs and toast.

"Well," Nash says, leaning across the table toward me, "what have you been doing? How is life in the city? Pretty exciting, huh?"

"Oh yes," Presley says, "what do you do there? Do you miss it?" She lowers her voice and says, "I know I said I love it here, and I do, but sometimes I miss, you know, city things. Like shopping malls and concerts."

"We took you to the battle of the bands at the Bitter Root last weekend," Daniel says and if I'm not mistaken, he seems a bit hurt.

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