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We again fall silent. And yet again, Ryker speaks first. “So, Zoey, are you still thinking of staying here in Weston?” Ryker places his arms out in front of him and rests them on the table. He links his hands together and leans forward a bit.
From where I sit, I can see all the detail in the tattoos on his left arm. There are roses that surround an angel looking up. There are some roman numerals and broken clocks, but I can’t see the rest. It’s hidden under his uniform shirt.
“Zoey?” He waves his hand in front of me. “My eyes are up here.” His lip curls upwards.
I narrow my eyes at him and shake my head. “Yeah, I think I’m going to stay.” I pause. “I guess I need to find a more permanent place to live and a job. But yeah, I think I like it here.” I look down at my hands. My mouth curls up in a slight smile thinking about the fresh start. I’m scared to death, but I can do this. This a jumpstart to my new life.
“Well, we have some places available out here to rent, but as far as a job, the diner here is always looking for help.” He taps his fingers on the table and then tilts his head a bit. “Have you ever worked on a ranch before?” Before I can respond, Joan comes back with our breakfast.
“Thank you.” I say to Joan as she sets the plate in front of me and gives me a smile.
“You’ll love these, dear. They’re the best. Enjoy.” She saunters off and winks at Ryker.
I take a look at the soft, fluffy pancakes stacked in front of me and lick my lips at the sight. I look up, about to grab the syrup, only to find Ryker is already holding it out for me. “Thanks.”
He smiles. “Of course.”
As I douse my pancakes with syrup, I answer his question from earlier. “So, no. Never worked at a ranch. It’s not like they’re easy to come by in NYC.” Pausing, I take a bite of my pancakes. The minute I shove the buttery slice into my mouth, I let out a moan. The warm soft texture with the sweetness of the syrup set off an explosion in my mouth. “Okay, these pancakes are seriously the best I’ve ever had.” Moaning, I shove another bite of the fluffy cakes into my mouth.
Ryker, who is staring holes into me, clears his throat and breaks eye contact with me. “Well, uh, we’re always looking for a little help. You know, we also have a small little house on the land that you can stay in. It can at least give you somewhere to stay for now.”
“I’m not a charity case. Besides, I’ve never worked on a ranch. I don’t even know how to work on one or what kind of work you do there or what animals are on ranches. I don’t think I’d be a good fit. I’ve only dealt with kids.” My eyes go wide as I realize my little slip.
“You’ve dealt with kids?” Ryker tilts his head to the side, studying me. Shit.
“Um, yeah. I was a teacher. Little kids. Elementary school.” I turn and look out the window.
“You know, our elementary school out here is probably looking for teachers. You could always do that.” Ryker continues to eat while gauging my reactions.
Like I said, this man’s going to be an issue. He’s looking at me like he’s trying to read my mind or stare deep into my soul for answers. Of course I’d attract the attention of someone like him. Someone who likes to solve puzzles, mysteries. Isn’t that what I am here? One giant mystery?
“Yeah, no. I need a change in my career. So, I don’t want to teach,” I lie. There’s nothing more that I’d rather do than teach. I loved my job, I loved my students. But with the name change I took on to hide, my actual teaching license is null and void.
“Hm, all right. Well, it’s not a charity thing. The ranch hand position is always open. It’s only a couple of days during the week. We’re always looking for more help because it’s a lot to take care of. As far as the house goes, I’m just trying to help you. Besides, it’s my house, so I can let whoever I want live there.” He pauses as if he’s letting that last little bit of information sink in. “Look, I can take you down there, if you want. You can check it out for yourself.” Ryker pushes his plate to the side and sits back in his seat.
He’s staring at me, looking over me like he’s trying to figure me out. I merely nod and continue eating.
The next few days are going to be a bit rough. Somehow, I need to find a job and a place to stay. All while staying hidden from Mitch.
Maybe hiding on a ranch will give me the privacy and safety I need.
Chapter 3
Ryker
From the momentI spotted her in the diner, I knew she was hiding from something or someone. Her bruised skin and cuts gave that away. I don’t buy the story she told me, especially about losing the phone. I know better.
The idea that someone laid hands on her fills me with a rage I’ve never experienced before. When I saw those marks on her yesterday, I had to do everything I could to contain myself.
Zoey’s absolutely beautiful. Her long red hair falls to the middle of her back, and her pale skin allows her freckles to pop. Her lips are full, and her eyes are a beautiful red color I’ve never seen before. They match her hair. She’s a vision.
I could tell she struggled with whatever was going on with her. She seems broken. Her light’s been dimmed. Zoey looks like a fallen angel. Her soul is broken. Something eats at her, and I know it has to do with whoever or whatever she’s hiding from.
I tried to get her to talk, pull information out of her. Get her to give me something I can go on. When I got back to the station after meeting her, I ran her name through my databases, and there’s no one by the name of Zoey Krause from the Big Apple. She doesn’t exist. Fake name. She’s obviously scared, but she’s doing her best to try and hide it.
I could find out who she is easily. There are so many ways, but something in me tells me I need to get her to trust me enough to tell me. That there’s more to the story than a simple identity change to run from her old self.
If anything, my instincts are usually right. Usually. The one time I didn’t listen to them …